| In the world of Industrial Cleaning Supplies the use of | | | | Anesthetisation |
| air fresheners has become a surprisingly controversial | | | | Anesthetisation refers to those air fresheners that use |
| topic. Criticised for containing chemicals that can | | | | anaesthetic to dull the sense of smell. Chemicals such |
| aggravate asthma and affect reproductive | | | | as formaldehyde are used to reduce the ability to |
| development the safety of air fresheners has long | | | | smell. Formaldehyde can be toxic and if it exceeds a |
| been questioned. If you smell a rat and think it's time | | | | 0.1ppm concentration in the air it can irritate mucous |
| for a breath of fresh air then take time to learn a little | | | | membranes and make your eyes water. |
| more about air fresheners.Air fresheners work in one | | | | Air freshener products |
| of five ways; | | | | Air fresheners produced for vehicles are typically solid |
| Absorption | | | | pieces of material that can be hung from the rear |
| This is the process where adsorbents are used to | | | | view mirror. These air fresheners are embedded with |
| absorb odours. Absorption refers to the chemical | | | | a scent that overpowers the mal odour in the vehicle. |
| process where atoms, molecules, or ions enter a bulk | | | | Plug in air fresheners are typically used in houses they |
| phase; gas, liquid or solid. For the layman this is where | | | | release a measurable amount of scent into the |
| the bad smelly chemicals in the air are attracted to a | | | | environment to reduce the effect of the bad odours. |
| base and a chemical reaction happens that makes the | | | | Public toilets often have an automated air freshener |
| bad smells turn into something that doesn't smell. In air | | | | that sprays a fine mist into the air at pre-determined |
| fresheners this is typically activated charcoal or silica | | | | intervals. Aerosol air fresheners are a popular portable |
| gel. | | | | option that can provide relief in an enormous range of |
| Chemical Neutralisation | | | | situations. Potpourri is a traditional form of air freshener |
| Chemical neutralisation involves adding chemicals to | | | | that is both fragrant and can look good. It comprises of |
| stabilise the pH level of the air. High levels of acidity or | | | | naturally fragrant materials that have been dried and |
| alkalinity can cause smells and the right balance of | | | | mixed with other naturally fragrant plant material. |
| chemical additives will alleviate the smell. Air fresheners | | | | Lighting scented candles made from natural products |
| use substances such as rubber to perform this | | | | or natural incense sticks can be an environmentally |
| process. | | | | friendly way to freshen the air. Air freshener can be |
| Disinfection | | | | purchased in liquid form and can provide a powerful |
| Bacterial activity is the cause of many unwanted | | | | option when used with the correct industrial cleaning |
| odours. Disinfectants can eliminate these odours by | | | | equipment. |
| killing the odour causing bacteria. Industrial cleaning | | | | Criticisms |
| supplies contain high level disinfectants that can kill up | | | | Air freshener has been criticised by some consumer |
| to 99.9% of micro-organisms. The disadvantage to | | | | groups due to fears over its safety. Their main |
| having such effective disinfectants is that they are by | | | | criticism is that there are not enough regulations in |
| their very nature harmful and potentially toxic to | | | | place to ensure that products are tested properly and |
| humans and animals. | | | | that manufacturers should clearly list the ingredients |
| Masking | | | | their products contain on the product label. Reports |
| Masking is simply covering unwanted smells with a | | | | had been made that some air fresheners were |
| more favourable fragrance. Most aerosol air | | | | responsible for the death of household pets but this is |
| fresheners work in this way by providing more | | | | unsubstantiated. The University of Bristol's Children of |
| favourable perfume flavours such as Lavender, | | | | the 90s study published a report that said that children |
| Raspberry, Tangerine, Lemon and Pine. Joss sticks | | | | that grew up in houses that used aerosol air freshener |
| also work in this way and although they are not used | | | | were more likely to suffer from headaches and |
| as industrial cleaning supplies they are a popular | | | | diarrhoea. Air fresheners are required by legislation to |
| household option. | | | | be safe in normal use. |