Air fresheners and scented candles can cause cancerous DNA mutations: study

If you are among those who enjoy the scents of spring meadows, pine forests, freshly laundered linen and Orient spices the moment the step into their homes, then you need to rethink. According to recent research, scented air fresheners, aromatic candles and even incense sticks contain industrial chemicals, which can even transform the structure of the DNA.

A study involving the Public Health England’s Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards cautioned that plug-in air fresheners produce ‘considerable’ levels of formaldehyde, which is also described by the US government’s National Toxicology Program as a known ‘human carcinogen’.

They also found that incense particles from commonly used ingredients agarwood and sandalwood are more toxic to our cells’ DNA than tobacco smoke.

The journal also stated that, “Scented candles can be significant sources of volatile chemicals in the indoor environment”, as reported by the Daily Mail.