The use of essential oils for aromatherapy, air fresheners and household cleaning sprays, along with ozone air purifiers, can be harmful to people’s health, as they release aerosols in the air with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), scientists warned.
AMBIENT
National Sun Yat-sen University Aerosol Science Research Center head Wang Chia-chin (王家蓁), who presented a paper at the 2023 International Workshop on Aerosol Multidisciplinary in Kaohsiung on Monday, said that 70 to 80 percent of aerosols collected from ambient air are found as “secondary organic aerosols” (SOAs) which are suspended fine particulate molecules produced via oxidation or photochemical reactions over several generations of an original parent organic molecule.
Photo courtesy of the university
Wang said that her study indicated that much of the essential oils for aromatherapy, as well as air freshener and household cleaning sprays, contain monoterpene compounds, which produce the characteristic aroma and scent from fruits, spices, herbs and plant materials.
When these are used at home, in combination with ozone air purifiers, they result in excessive amounts of SOAs in the air and pose a health threat to those breathing them in, she said.
HUMIDITY
Wang said she and her research team found that when humidity is above a certain level, or if the parent organic aerosols already have binding water molecules, water can act as a reactive agent and boost SOAs to much higher levels in the air while altering their physiochemical properties.
Taiwan is about to enter its “air pollution season,” which lasts from this month through March, and some people like using spray machines at home in combination with perfumed essential oils, air fresheners or household cleaning sprays, which contain monoterpene compounds, Wang said.
AEROSOLS
This can lead to the production of harmful aerosols containing SOAs, which have harmful effects on human health according to international studies, she added.
A number of prominent aerosol scientists such as Judith Chow and John Watson from the Division of Atmospheric Sciences at the Desert Research Institute in the US, and Ralf Zimmermann from the University of Rostock and Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen in Germany also presented their research at the workshop.
Additional reporting by Jason Pan
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