As air quality continues to decline across cities, the impact is no longer limited to hazy skylines and pollution alerts; it is being felt in every breath. Rising AQI levels have made outdoor air increasingly
difficult to breathe, with fine particles and toxic gases lingering in the atmosphere long after peak pollution hours.
As exposure outside becomes unavoidable, the focus quietly shifts indoors, where homes are expected to offer relief. Instead, bedrooms and enclosed spaces are emerging as a new battleground, where the struggle for clean, breathable air is becoming just as critical.
By unknowingly inviting another layer of pollution, there are many who consider scented candles, essential oils and synthetic air fresheners to be safe for the bedrooms. These fresheners promise refreshing scents but often do far from good. As the AQI is worsening with each passing, filling the bedrooms with air fresheners and oils that release volatile organic compounds (VOC) in the name of comforting, plug-in fresheners, scented sprays and heavy oil diffusers.
According to a 2023 study published in the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed Central (PMC), “Scented Products Emit a Bouquet of VOCs”, with over a hundred VOCs found in dozens of “green”, “natural”, or “organic” PCHPs, of which more than twenty of them were classified as “toxic” or “hazardous.”
It is important to understand that when the outdoor air is already compromised by industrial smog and pollution from vehicles, the indoor environment becomes more critical. As the ventilation is reduced at night due to the closed doors and windows, bringing in essential oil diffusers or air fresheners can become another source of chemical load.
What Are Volatile Organic Compounds?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are compounds that have low water solubility and high vapour pressure. Many VOCs are human-made chemicals that are used and produced in the manufacturing of paints, refrigerants and pharmaceuticals.
“These VOCs comprised different chemical classes but predominated the fragrance compounds limonene, α-pinene, linalool, β-myrcene, β-pinene, and acetaldehyde (additive/fragrance), along with some solvents, ethanol, and acetone,” mentioned in the PMC study. These substances linger in the air but can react with existing pollutants that may pose health risks.
Why Do Fragranced Products Matter?
Most of the time is spent indoors, where the concentration of volatile organic compounds is higher. According to a 2025 study published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “Levels of several organics average 2 to 5 times higher indoors than outdoors.”
Fragranced products release VOCs into the air, which not only irritate the eyes, nose, skin and throat but also trigger allergic reactions like asthma attacks. These synthetic fragrances can accumulate in poorly ventilated spaces, increasing exposure over time.
Hidden Health Risks Of Synthetic Fragrances
Fragrances can be found everywhere, from perfumes and soaps to candles, deodorants and room fresheners. These scents are considered an appealing option to mask the odour. However, the PMC study states that synthetic fragrances found in household and personal care products can affect not only the sense of smell but also various organs and systems in the body.
Although the synthetic fragrances have reduced the need to extract the essential oils from natural sources, their chemical complexity now comes with potential health costs. Some synthetic fragrances can interfere with the hormones, and chronic exposure to fragrance chemicals is associated with respiratory and endocrine effects.
Fragrance molecules also activate the olfactory receptors that detect smell. These receptors are not only limited to the nose but are also found in tissues like the heart, skin, lungs and intestines. Research suggests that when these receptors are triggered outside the nasal cavity, they can influence crucial processes such as cell growth, inflammation, and hormone activity.
Children are vulnerable to these volatile organic compounds from fragrances. “Many were flagged as carcinogenic, neurotoxic, or endocrine-disrupting. In one study of 42 baby products, researchers detected over 600 VOCs, with one-third classified as potentially hazardous.”
Why Is It Necessary To Remove Synthetic Fragrances From The Bedroom?
- The bedroom is a place for rest and healing, but filling it with fragrances or heavy oil diffusers could impact overall health.
- Natural essential oils, cosmetic oils, and air fresheners emit synthetic VOCs that can initiate chemical reactions indoors, producing secondary pollutants, as mentioned in the studies.
- According to a 2020 study published by Springer Nature, “Removing or discontinuing use of fragrance products can also reduce emissions and exposures. For instance, removing or turning off air fresheners in a restroom can reduce concentrations of fragrance chemicals within indoor environments by up to 96% within 2 weeks.”
- Since bedrooms have lower ventilation due to closed windows, air conditioning and more, VOCs and fine particles may accumulate overnight, which poses health risks in the long run.
- People with asthma, allergies, migraines or other sensitivities should avoid using fragranced products, as they can act as triggers in these situations.
Tips To Improve Indoor Air Quality
- To improve the air quality at home, start by avoiding the use of air fresheners, diffusers and scented sprays in the bedroom. These products are often marketed for freshness and calm vibes for relaxation, but in closed spaces, they increase the chemical load.
- While cleaning the bedroom, it is important to choose unscented or very lightly scented products. Many cleaning sprays also contribute to indoor VOCs.
- Avoid body sprays, scented personal care products or heavy perfumes right before sleeping in the room. Fragrance molecules linger and may affect indoor air quality when the ventilation is low.
- Increase the ventilation when it is possible. Opening a window for a few minutes and using a ceiling fan can dilute the VOCs. For a pleasant fragrance in the room, consider natural ventilation, plants or baking soda to absorb odours instead of masking them chemically.
