Aerosol Air Freshener Spray

Spray-can room and fabric fresheners.

57Moderate burden · out of 100

Cleaner swapOpen a window, or simmer citrus peel and herbs

How this score is built

100Start
81.6Chemical hazard 4 × 4.6−18.4
64.6Everyday exposure 5 × 3.4−17
57Persistence 3 × 2.6−7.8, then rounded to 57
ModerateThe band57 sits in 40–59.

What each input rests on

The three ratings behind the score, and the studies each rests on
Input	Rating	Evidence
Chemical hazard	4/10	unsourced input
Everyday exposure	5/10	Off-the-shelf UK domestic aerosol sprays were measured at source: household products such as air fresheners contained 62 wt% non-methane VOCs per can, and replacing LPG propellants with nitrogen showed a potential 50% emission reduction. Measurements and analysis of non-methane VOC (NMVOC) emissions from major domestic aerosol sprays at "source" · Environ Int 2021 DOI 10.1016/j.envint.2020.106152 · PMID 33246244 · Abstract · read 2026-10-06
Persistence	3/10	unsourced input

Ratings are editorial. A study listed here supports the rating; it did not compute it. How the index is built

What this means for you

Aerosol fresheners release VOCs and often phthalates as fragrance carriers, which you then inhale in an enclosed room. Ventilation addresses odour at the source rather than masking it.

Evidence strength: moderate

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Lower-exposure choices

Vinegar & Baking Soda CleaningMinimal · Home

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