Sprays and diffusers as indoor air fresheners: Exposure and health risk assessment based on measurements under realistic indoor conditions.

Abstract

Noncombustible air fresheners are indoor air emission sources of concern. The associated health risks should be better understood. Based on 15 products (4sprays, 6 passive diffusers, and 5 active diffusers), the health risk assessment (HRA) approach was applied to a national use survey in France and to concentrations measured in an experimental house. The targeted substances included volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbonyls, and fine particles (PM2.5 ). Mean-use and reasonable worst-case generic scenarios were designed. No situation of concern occurred regarding chronic exposure associated with the mean use. Under the reasonable worst-case scenarios, the chronic risk could exceed selected health reference standards, mainly for acrolein (average inhaled concentration (AIC) up to 3.5µg/m3 ), benzene (AIC up to 4µg/m3 ), and limonene (AIC up to 8mg/m3 ). The acute exposure, defined as a 1-h exposure, could exceed selected health standards, primarily for acrolein (up to 23µg/m3 ) and formaldehyde (up to approximately 370µg/m3 ). Furthermore, the 1-h average PM2.5 concentration, including ultrafine particles, could exceed 100µg/m3 , typically for sprays. These results suggest that the highest exposures should be reduced and, as such, that the emissions of the highest-emissivity products should be lowered.