Common Household Deodorizers May Be Bad for Your Lungs

A study of nearly 1,000 adults reviewed the respiratory effects of 11 chemicals commonly found in indoor air. People who had high blood levels of one deodorizing chemical— 1,4 dichlorobenzene—were likelier to have breathing difficulties. This decreased lung function may increase the risk for heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. How to reduce your exposure? Cut back on your use of air fresheners, toilet-bowl deodorants, and mothballs.

Environmental Health Perspectives, Vol. 114, No. 8