Is Your Home Making You Sick?

Be Suspicious of Scents

No one wants a musty home, but some air fresheners contain phthalates (multipurpose chemicals that in this case are responsible for dispersing a scent throughout a room) and synthetic fragrances that may disrupt the endocrine system's control of hormones, potentially leading to reproductive issues and possibly even breast cancer. A 2012 study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, which looked at chemicals found in more than 200 common household products ranging from laundry detergent to hand sanitizers, found that air fresheners were among the highest in levels of synthetic fragrances. You're better off filling your house with natural scents, like real rosemary.