Using room fresheners often? Here is the health risk you should know about

Many people use room fresheners at home, in offices or in cars to keep the air smelling pleasant. A good fragrance can help calm the mind and improve focus, and fresheners are also commonly used to mask bad odours. But few people know that using them can cause several health problems. Using a room freshener too often in a closed room can make it hard to breathe and can also raise the risk of infections. Because of this, there are some things to keep in mind before using a room freshener.

Room fresheners contain certain chemical ingredients that produce fragrance but can harm health. These include volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and chemicals such as dichlorobenzene, which are used to make the air smell fresh. After a spray is used, these chemicals remain suspended in the air for some time and enter the body through the nose while breathing. The effect can vary from person to person. Prolonged exposure can cause burning in the eyes, nose and throat. Some people may also experience headaches, dizziness or a feeling of discomfort. Children, elderly people and those who already have breathing problems can be affected the most by room fresheners.

Excessive use of room fresheners can worsen existing breathing problems. People who already suffer from asthma or infections may experience increased coughing, chest heaviness and breathing difficulty because of the fragrance from room fresheners. It is not considered good to stay in the same spot for long right after spraying. Their use should be kept even lower in small rooms. After using a room freshener, a window should be kept open so that natural air from outside can enter and the room stays ventilated. This helps reduce the effect of the harmful chemicals inside the room.

Certain precautions should be strictly followed while using a room freshener. Excessive use should be avoided. It should never be sprayed directly on the face, eyes or skin. Its use should be avoided in places such as kitchens where food is cooked. And most importantly, if continuous coughing occurs after using a room freshener, its use should be stopped immediately. Keeping these simple but important points in mind can largely help avoid the health risks caused by room fresheners.