The Problem with Masking Bad Odors: Part 1
Masking bad odors in a bathroom facility involves adding a pretty-smelling fragrance to a room. For a complete discussion on masking versus eliminating bad odors in a washroom, click here. Examples of air freshener products that one might use in a washroom to make it smell pretty include aerosol air fresheners, plug-in air fresheners, pop-up air fresheners, and scented candles.
Many of the products used to add pretty-smelling fragrances to a bathroom contain one or more of the following synthetic and natural chemicals: alkylphenols, benzene, benzophenone, benzylacetate, bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, bisphenol A (BPA), bucinal, butoxyethanol, butoxyethoxyethanol, butyle paraben, ceteareth-20, cyclosiloxanes, dicyclohexyl phthalate, diethanolamine, diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-isononyl phthalate, di-n-propyl phthalate, diphenyl ether, dodecamethylcyclohexyfsfoxane, ethanolamines, ethyl paraben, eugenol, fluocinolone, formaldehyde, galaxolide (HHCB), geraniol, glycol ethers, hexy cinnemal, isobornyl acetate, isoeugenol, limonene, linalool, lyral, methyl eugenol, methyl ionone, methyl isothiazolinone, methyl salicylate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methyloxyethoxyehtanol, methylparaben, monoethanolamine, musk ketone, musk xylene, nonylphenol, nonylphenol diethoxylate, nonylphenol monoethoxylate, oakmoss, octinoxate, octylphenol diethaxylate, octyphenol monoethaxylate, petrochemicals, phenethyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, pinene, polyethylene glycol, sorbic acid, terpineol, tonalide, triclocarban, triclosan, unalool, and volatile organic compounds. All but four of these chemicals are synthetically produced. Some of these synthetic chemicals – namely formaldehyde, artificial musk, and benzene – are also linked to cancer.
In a research paper published several years ago, researchers sought to determine what percentage of the U.S. population suffered adverse reactions when exposed to fragrances, and air fresheners, in particular. The researchers discovered that 19% of survey respondents reported headaches, breathing difficulties, or other problems when exposed to air fresheners. View research paper here.
In a recent laboratory study, researchers concluded with a high degree of certainty that HOCl neutralized the bad odors caused by urine and feces within toilet / bathroom facilities by modifying the compounds linked to the odors – all within 5 minutes of application. See here for more on the laboratory study. HOCl is fragrance-free, so misting it in a room should not affect those susceptible to fragrance allergies.
As with other HOCl applications, there are no safety concerns with using HOCl in a bathroom setting. Research has validated HOCl as a non-toxic, non-irritating, and eco-friendly disinfectant and sanitizer. Ideas for this blog were gathered from here and here.