| 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 |
| topic. Criticised for containing chemicals that can | | | | use anaesthetic to dull the sense of smell. Chemicals |
| aggravate asthma and affect reproductive | | | | such as formaldehyde are used to reduce the ability |
| development the safety of air fresheners has long | | | | to smell. Formaldehyde can be toxic and if it exceeds |
| been questioned. If you smell a rat and think it's time | | | | a 0.1ppm concentration in the air it can irritate |
| for a breath of fresh air then take time to learn a | | | | mucous membranes and make your eyes water. |
| little more about air fresheners.Air fresheners work in | | | | Air freshener products |
| one 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 | | | | that sprays a fine mist into the air at pre-determined |
| air fresheners this is typically activated charcoal or | | | | intervals. Aerosol air fresheners are a popular portable |
| silica gel. | | | | option that can provide relief in an enormous range |
| Chemical Neutralisation | | | | of situations. Potpourri is a traditional form of air |
| Chemical neutralisation involves adding chemicals to | | | | freshener that is both fragrant and can look good. It |
| stabilise the pH level of the air. High levels of acidity | | | | comprises of naturally fragrant materials that have |
| or alkalinity can cause smells and the right balance of | | | | been dried and mixed with other naturally fragrant |
| chemical additives will alleviate the smell. Air | | | | plant material. Lighting scented candles made from |
| fresheners use substances such as rubber to | | | | natural products or natural incense sticks can be an |
| perform this process. | | | | environmentally friendly way to freshen the air. Air |
| Disinfection | | | | freshener can be purchased in liquid form and can |
| Bacterial activity is the cause of many unwanted | | | | provide a powerful option when used with the |
| odours. Disinfectants can eliminate these odours by | | | | correct industrial cleaning 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 | | | | criticism is that there are not enough regulations in |
| by their very nature harmful and potentially toxic to | | | | place to ensure that products are tested properly |
| humans and animals. | | | | and that manufacturers should clearly list the |
| Masking | | | | ingredients their products contain on the product label. |
| Masking is simply covering unwanted smells with a | | | | Reports had been made that some air fresheners |
| more favourable fragrance. Most aerosol air | | | | were responsible for the death of household pets |
| fresheners work in this way by providing more | | | | but this is unsubstantiated. The University of Bristol's |
| favourable perfume flavours such as Lavender, | | | | Children of the 90s study published a report that said |
| Raspberry, Tangerine, Lemon and Pine. Joss sticks | | | | that children that grew up in houses that used |
| also work in this way and although they are not used | | | | aerosol air freshener were more likely to suffer from |
| as industrial cleaning supplies they are a popular | | | | headaches and diarrhoea. Air fresheners are required |
| household option. | | | | by legislation to be safe in normal use. |