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Is it safe? · Pregnancy Smart

Are plug-in air fresheners safe during pregnancy?

Assigned clinical reviewerPerry Friedman· MD, FACOG-MFMDraft · pending clinical reviewUpdated

What does the evidence say about plug-in air fresheners during pregnancy?

  1. Air freshener use has been linked to higher levels of three phthalate metabolites, MBP, MBZP, and MEP, in pregnant women's urine compared with non-users. 1
  2. Using sprays or air fresheners during pregnancy has been associated with a higher prevalence of lower respiratory tract infections in infants, and using sprays or solvents with more wheezing in the first year of life. 2
  3. MotherToBaby notes that phthalates, the fragrance-carrying chemicals also used to help scents linger in air fresheners, haven't been tied to identified health hazards for pregnant people as of now. 3
  4. Opening a window or running an exhaust fan is the practical step MotherToBaby recommends for clearing lingering fumes from a strong-smelling household product. 4
  5. Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, confused, or short of breath around a strong household scent is a signal to step away and check in with an expert rather than push through it. 4

Is plug-in air fresheners safe in each trimester?

  • First trimester. This is when a growing baby's organs are forming, so it's a reasonable window to lean toward fragrance-free products and good airflow rather than masking odors with a heavy scent.
  • Second trimester. The research linking sprayed or plugged-in air fresheners to more wheezing and lower respiratory infections in infants looked at exposure across pregnancy rather than one window, so it's worth keeping the same ventilation habits going now.
  • Third trimester. Nesting and nursery setup often bring more scented products into the house right when you're also trying to keep the air fresh for a newborn with sensitive lungs, which makes this a good stretch to swap a plug-in for an open window.

Frequently asked questions

Which air fresheners are the lower-risk choice during pregnancy?

Fragrance-free options and simple ventilation beat any scented product. If you want a scent, a lighter, occasional one is a more moderate choice than a continuous plug-in running around the clock.

Can air fresheners actually harm my baby?

There's no evidence that ordinary home use causes direct harm, but the research isn't fully reassuring either: air freshener use tracks with higher phthalate levels, and some studies tie scented sprays to more infant wheezing and respiratory infections. That's a reason for moderation, not panic.

Does using air fresheners during pregnancy raise my child's asthma risk?

One study found that using sprays or air fresheners during pregnancy was associated with more lower respiratory tract infections in infants, and spray or solvent use with more first-year wheezing. That's an association from observational research, not proof that the product itself causes asthma.

Are aerosol sprays worse than plug-ins during pregnancy?

The studies linking fragrance products to infant respiratory outcomes group sprays and plug-ins together rather than singling one out, so the same moderate-use-and-ventilate approach applies to either.

What can I use instead of a plug-in air freshener?

Opening a window or running an exhaust fan is what MotherToBaby recommends for clearing a lingering smell, and it works as well for pet or cooking odors as it does for anything a plug-in would be masking.

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References

  3. Cosmetics Exposures in Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

    MotherToBaby · https://mothertobaby.org/pregnancy-breastfeeding-exposures/cosmetics/

  4. What's the Dirt on Household Cleaners When Pregnant?

    MotherToBaby · https://mothertobaby.org/baby-blog/whats-the-dirt-on-household-cleaners-when-pregnant/

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.