FMA Statement on the Safety of Air Fresheners

(X. Liu et al.  Full-Scale Chamber Investigation and Simulation of Air Freshener Emissions in the Presence of Ozone. Environmental Science and Technology, May 2004)

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 12, 2004

Air fresheners are popular and safe consumer products.  Fragrances and fragrance ingredients used in air fresheners are well-understood compounds and their safety has been thoroughly reviewed. They are safe for consumers to use in their homes.

The X. Liu, et al. study recently released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is based on experimental simulations and computer models that vary considerably from the way that air fresheners are used in real world homes. Moreover, the concentrations of fragrance materials that researchers studied had the potential to be many times higher for some of the fragrance materials, and more intense, than the scent level that would be present in a room aromatized with an air freshener product.  The study authors themselves caution about limitations of their research: "Clearly, more data and improved models are needed to predict particle formation in the real world."

Therefore, it is premature to draw any firm conclusions or provide consumer lifestyle advice based on a single preliminary and experimental study which used highly artificial conditions. However, as with all relevant scientific experimentation and research, air freshener and fragrance makers will continue to review and evaluate such findings to ensure safety of their products and ingredients they use.

The Fragrance Materials Association of the United States (FMA) is a trade association representing companies that invent and manufacture fragrance ingredients for use in a wide array of products. Suppliers of fragrance ingredients are also included in the membership. FMA primarily serves to facilitate legislative and regulatory progress on behalf of the industry. FMA interacts with state, federal and international governments.

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