Could Your Air Fresheners Be Making You Sick?

I recently had my car detailed, and when I picked it up, everything looked spotless. The car looked beautiful, smelled “fresh,” and at first, I thought nothing of it.

What I didn’t realize was that the detailer had placed fragranced air fresheners inside both cup holders.

Later that day, I got into my car and within seconds something felt wrong.

The moment I smelled the synthetic fragrance, my body reacted almost instantly. My eyes felt strained and unusually wide, almost like I couldn’t relax them. A wave of dizziness and nausea hit me, and I started shaking my head instinctively, almost like my body was trying to shake off whatever I had just breathed in.

I felt disoriented, overstimulated, and deeply uncomfortable in my own body. It honestly made me feel like something was very wrong. I had to open the car door immediately and get out to breathe.

That’s when I found them, two air fresheners hidden in the cup holders.

I wrapped them in tissues and threw them away immediately, but even after leaving the car, my body still felt overwhelmed. Back inside the house, every smell seemed amplified. I suddenly could smell what reminded me of old Aqua Net hairspray from decades ago. It felt like my senses had become hyper-alert and overstimulated.

That experience reminded me how powerful synthetic fragrances can be for sensitive individuals.

And the truth is, this conversation is not only about adults. It is especially important when it comes to children.

One of the most overlooked parts of this conversation is how differently children experience their environment compared to adults.

Many parents may not notice a strong reaction to synthetic fragrances themselves. The scent might feel mild, tolerable, or even unnoticeable after a while. But that does not necessarily mean the environment is having the same impact on a child.

Children are still developing physically and neurologically. They breathe more rapidly than adults, and because of their size and height, they are often closer to the source of exposure, especially plug-ins placed at wall level, air fresheners in cup holders, or fragranced products used throughout the home.

This means their exposure can be more concentrated, even in the same space.

Sometimes, what shows up in children is not obvious illness, but subtle changes in behavior or regulation, such as:

• Restlessness or irritability

• Difficulty focusing or sitting still

• Emotional overwhelm or sensitivity

• Changes in sleep patterns

• Increased reactivity in certain environments

Because these changes can be gradual, they are often attributed to personality, behavior, or developmental phases rather than environmental factors.

The key point is not that synthetic fragrances are the sole cause of these experiences, but that they may be one of many environmental stressors that influence how a child’s nervous system responds in a space.

When children are removed from heavily fragranced environments, some parents report noticing differences in calmness, focus, or emotional regulation, which can be an important clue worth paying attention to.

Many fragranced products contain complex chemical mixtures that are rarely fully disclosed on labels because “fragrance” formulas are often considered proprietary.

Some commonly discussed compounds include:

• Phthalates

• Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

• Synthetic musks

• Benzene

• Formaldehyde

• Ethanol and isopropyl alcohol solvents

• Petrochemical-derived scent stabilizers

Some of these compounds have been studied for their potential role in respiratory irritation, endocrine disruption, neurological symptoms, and chemical sensitivity.

Children living in homes with high levels of VOC exposure may have a greater likelihood of respiratory irritation and asthma-related symptoms. For children who already have asthma, synthetic fragrances are commonly reported triggers for flare-ups and acute attacks.

Some studies have also explored associations between long-term exposure to certain airborne chemicals and measurable reductions in lung function.

Adults can also experience:

• Chest tightness

• Coughing

• Shortness of breath

• Sinus irritation

• Headaches

• Migraines

• Dizziness

For chemically sensitive individuals, even small exposures can trigger strong physical responses.

Synthetic fragrances may also affect the nervous system.

Some people report:

• Brain fog

• Difficulty concentrating

• Irritability

• Fatigue

• Head pressure

• Dizziness

• Sensory overload

Certain VOCs can rapidly enter the bloodstream through the lungs after inhalation. Researchers continue studying how chronic exposure to these chemicals may affect cognition, mood, and neurological function.

For children with sensory sensitivities, ADHD-like symptoms, autism spectrum sensitivities, or nervous system dysregulation, heavily fragranced environments may feel especially overwhelming.

In some cases, strong scents may contribute to:

• Emotional dysregulation

• Restlessness

• Increased irritability

• Difficulty focusing

• Shutdown or “tuning out” behaviors

• Sensory overload reactions

Because plug-ins are often placed lower on walls, the concentration of airborne chemicals may be strongest near a child’s breathing level.

Chemicals such as phthalates are known endocrine disruptors, meaning they may interfere with normal hormone signaling in the body.

Researchers continue to study possible links between long-term exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals and:

• Reproductive health concerns

• Hormonal imbalance

• Developmental changes

• Earlier onset puberty trends

• Growth and neurological development

Children may be more vulnerable because their endocrine, immune, and neurological systems are still developing.

One major concern with plug-ins and automatic fragrance devices is that they create continuous exposure.

Unlike a brief scent from a flower or naturally ventilated environment, these products continuously release chemicals into enclosed spaces with little opportunity for the body to recover between exposures.

Over time, some individuals may become increasingly reactive to environmental chemicals, a process sometimes referred to as chemical sensitization.

Most air fresheners do not remove pollutants or odors.

Instead, they work by:

• Masking odors with stronger scents

• Coating nasal receptors

• Releasing fragrance compounds into the air continuously

True air purification focuses on removing pollutants rather than covering them.

There are gentler ways to create a fresh environment without the heavy chemical load:

• Opening windows for natural ventilation

• HEPA air purifiers with activated carbon filters

• Baking soda or activated charcoal odor absorbers

• Simmer pots with cinnamon sticks, orange peels, lemon, herbs, or vanilla

• Beeswax candles instead of paraffin-based scented candles

• Carefully selected pure essential oils used in moderation

Fresh air, sunlight, and ventilation remain some of the most effective ways to improve indoor air quality naturally.

It is also important to remember that just because someone does not immediately react to synthetic fragrances does not automatically mean the exposure is harmless.

Some people have highly sensitive nervous systems and notice effects right away through headaches, dizziness, breathing issues, or sensory overload. Others may not consciously notice symptoms in the moment, but that does not necessarily mean the body is unaffected.

The body can respond to environmental stressors in different ways over time, and not all effects are immediate or obvious.

Awareness is not about fear. It is about paying attention to how the body responds to the environments we live in every day.

Many people use fragranced products daily without noticeable symptoms, while others experience significant physical reactions that affect their lungs, nervous system, focus, mood, or overall wellbeing.

Sometimes the things we normalize inside our homes, cars, and workplaces may be affecting us more than we realize.

If you’re struggling with nervous system overload, emotional exhaustion, anxiety, burnout, or chronic stress, healing support may help you reconnect with balance and clarity.

Explore Julie Hiskett’s healing, breathwork, and transformational coaching programs designed to support emotional healing and nervous system regulation.