An American school parent has investigated the effects of electric air fresheners after her children returned from their new school smelling very strong and with big, purple “allergic” bags under their eyes.

The air fresheners, which she found in all the school classrooms, can exacerbate ADHD symptoms, and contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, limolene, esters and alcohols, which have been linked to increased risk of asthma in children. VOCs can also trigger eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness and possibly memory impairment.

Dr Stanley Fineman, president-elect of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), suggests that rather than risk children’s health with air fresheners, simply open a window to freshen the air.

Source: Trib Local

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