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> Does anyone have any experience of automatic air fresheners? These are the
devices found in >toilets and increasingly around hospitals which
automatically dose the air with a jet of air freshener >at regular time
periods.

They are triggers for asthma and potentially very harmful. And they can dose
an individual with fragrance if they happen to spray when someone is in the
restroom. If this person is one that is very sensitive to fragrances, it
could be very serious.

Several studies address effects of air fresheners. The study by Anderson, et
al studies the toxic effects on mice inhaling air freshener emissions. An
abstract is available on Medline.
    Anderson RC, Anderson JH. Related Articles
    Toxic effects of air freshener emissions.
    Arch Environ Health. 1997 Nov-Dec;52(6):433-41.
    PMID: 9541364 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=9541364&dopt=Abstract

There are several other studies by Anderson, et al that may be of interest.
One examines toxic effects of fragrances, another the emissions from
bedding, and another the emissions from baby diapers. They can be obtained
from a really neat site: http://www.findarticles.com

http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m0907/n2_v53/20596015/print.jhtml
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m0907/3_54/55214783/print.jhtml
http://www.findarticles.com/cf_0/m0907/5_54/57872310/print.jhtml


Wainman, et al looks at the formation of submicron particles in indoor air
from the interaction of limonene (a common substance in air fresheners) and
ozone. An abstract is available both from Medline and Environmental Health
Perspectives. EHP is a US government publication so the article can be used
freely as long as proper credit is given. If anyone needs an electronic copy
of it, please let me know.

Wainman T, Zhang J, Weschler CJ, Lioy PJ. Related Articles
Ozone and limonene in indoor air: a source of submicron particle exposure.
Environ Health Perspect. 2000 Dec;108(12):1139-45.
PMID: 11133393 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_ui
ds=11133393&dopt=Abstract

Little information currently exists regarding the occurrence of secondary
organic aerosol formation in indoor air. Smog chamber studies have
demonstrated that high aerosol yields result from the reaction of ozone with
terpenes, both of which commonly occur in indoor air. However, smog chambers
are typically static systems, whereas indoor environments are dynamic. We
conducted a series of experiments to investigate the potential for secondary
aerosol in indoor air as a result of the reaction of ozone with d-limonene,
a compound commonly used in air fresheners. A dynamic chamber design was
used in which a smaller chamber was nested inside a larger one, with air
exchange occurring between the two. The inner chamber was used to represent
a model indoor environment and was operated at an air exchange rate below 1
exchange/hr, while the outer chamber was operated at a high air exchange
rate of approximately 45 exchanges/hr. Limonene was introduced into the
inner chamber either by the evaporation of reagent-grade d-limonene or by
inserting a lemon-scented, solid air freshener. A series of ozone injections
were made into the inner chamber during the course of each experiment, and
an optical particle counter was used to measure the particle concentration.
Measurable particle formation and growth occurred almost exclusively in the
0.1-0.2 microm and 0.2-0.3 microm size fractions in all of the experiments.
Particle formation in the 0.1-0.2 microm size range occurred as soon as
ozone was introduced, but the formation of particles in the 0.2-0.3 microm
size range did not occur until at least the second ozone injection occurred.
The results of this study show a clear potential for significant particle
concentrations to be produced in indoor environments as a result of
secondary particle formation via the ozone-limonene reaction. Because people
spend the majority of their time indoors, secondary particles formed in
indoor environments may make a significant contribution to overall particle
exposure. This study provides data for assessing the impact of outdoor ozone
on indoor particles. This is important to determine the efficacy of the
mass-based particulate matter standards in protecting public health because
the indoor secondary particles can vary coincidently with the variations of
outdoor fine particles in summer.


Betty Bridges, RN
Fragranced Products Information Network
http://www.ameliaww.com/fpin/fpin.htm
http://www.fpinva.org