Something in the Air

[Guest guest]

" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <HSIResearch

 

HSI e-Alert - Something in the Air

Mon, 14 Feb 2005 09:01:55 -0500

HSI e-Alert - Something in the Air

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

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February 14, 2005

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Dear Reader,

 

One winter when I was very young a can arrived in the mail from some

relatives who were vacationing in Florida. Just like a postcard, the

label of the can was printed with a view of Miami Beach, alongside a

place for our address and a first class stamp. Across the top of a

photo of coconut palms were printed the words: " Fresh Ocean Air from

Miami Beach! "

 

I was just young enough to believe that the can actually contained air

captured on the beach in Miami. I even imagined what the seaside

open-air canning factory might look like, with workers holding up cans

to catch some breeze and then quickly sealing the cans and boxing them

to send off to local gift shops.

 

You'd have to be a child, or very naive, to believe that ocean air

could really be canned. And yet, there are many who believe that by

spraying chemicals from a can they'll " freshen " the air in their home.

Chemicals can infuse the air with a scent that mimics fresh aroma, but

in some cases they can actually make the air unhealthy.

 

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Gradual buildup

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Many household products contain solvents called volatile organic

compounds (VOCs). And in this case the word " organic " doesn't imply a

health benefit. Far from it.

 

Two typical VOCs (used in many commercial air fresheners) are benzene;

a carcinogen that's been linked to leukemia, and xylene; a toxic

petroleum byproduct that's been associated with headaches and

cognitive impairment.

 

Researchers at the University of Bristol in the UK examined the

effects of VOCs on mothers and infants enrolled in a large, ongoing

study known as Children of the 90s. More than 10,000 mothers in this

study responded to questionnaires regarding the use of products known

to raise VOC levels. The questionnaires also gathered information

about known symptoms of VOC exposure. In addition, 170 of the subjects

agreed to have VOC levels monitored in their homes for one year.

 

The Bristol team reported these findings:

 

* In homes where air fresheners were used daily, mothers averaged

nearly 10 percent more frequent headaches than mothers in homes where

air fresheners were used once a week or less

* In the " daily " homes, mothers had more than 25 percent higher

risk of depression compared to mothers in the " once a week " homes

* In the " daily " homes, infants were 32 percent more likely to

suffer from diarrhea

* Infants in the " daily " homes had significantly more earaches

than infants in " once a week " homes

 

In their published study in the Archives of Environmental Health, the

researchers noted that the daily use of air fresheners and other

aerosol products created a gradual accumulation of VOCs. And while the

study focused on mothers and infants, the researchers believe that

VOCs may cause similar reactions for anyone who spends a significant

amount of time at home, such as retirees.

 

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Set on simmer

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In a press release from the University of Bristol, the lead author of

the study, Dr. Alexandra Farrow, noted that until further research is

done on air fresheners and aerosols it would be wise to limit the use

of these products. Her suggestion: " Squeezing a lemon is just as

effective at freshening the air. "

 

I agree. Over the holidays I stopped by a friend's house and the

moment I walked through the front door I noticed a very appealing

aroma. This was not the result of something sprayed out of a can or

injected into the air in a puff of smoke from a " fragrancer " unit. My

friend had simply filled a large pot with water, tossed in some orange

rinds, apple slices and cinnamon, and set the stovetop burner on low.

 

The result: A subtle and inviting aroma without the unnecessary extra

baggage of benzene, xylene or any other VOCs.

 

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....and another thing

 

I came across this Valentine's Day treat in the Bangkok Post: chopped

oranges with dark chocolate and cinnamon, topped with peppermint oil.

 

And here's the best part: You don't eat it.

 

Every year as Valentine's Day approaches, TV news-readers dust off the

story about dark chocolate actually being good for you. Yep, it's

practically health food according to some.

 

You can file that one under " Modern Delusions. "

 

In the e-Alert " Dark Shadows " (9/3/03), I told you about two studies

that examined the " health " benefits of eating dark chocolate. Cocoa

beans contain polyphenols; antioxidant compounds that we've frequently

written about at HSI. Polyphenols don't make it through the processing

of milk chocolate and white chocolate, but they're still on board in

dark chocolate.

 

But if you happen to be looking for sources of polyphenols that don't

promote obesity and type 2 diabetes, you can always put down the candy

bar and eat polyphenol-rich fruits and vegetables or drink tea and red

wine.

 

Meanwhile - back in Bangkok - the Chocolate Lover's Special is a

two-and-a-half hour treatment offered to Valentine couples at Centara

Spa. The itinerary:

 

* Cleaning the skin with chopped orange and mineral salts

* Dark chocolate full body wrap (includes cinnamon and detoxifying

mud)

* Peppermint oil soak

* Massage

 

This procedure is reasonably priced at just 5,494 baht per couple

(about $145).

 

Supposedly, the skin enjoys benefits from antioxidants in the dark

chocolate. I can't confirm that, but I've got a hunch that when you're

finished, you and your Valentine will be in one of those good

" chocolate " moods.

 

Happy Valentine's Day.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

Health Sciences Institute

 

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Sources:

 

" Symptoms of Mothers and Infants Related to Total Volatile Organic

Compounds in Household Products " Archives of Environmental Health,

Vol. 58, No. 18, heldref.org

" Air Fresheners Can Make Mothers and Babies Ill " Press Release,

University of Bristol, brunel.ac.uk

" Romance Lives " Stay Peerawat Jariyasombat, The Bangkok Post, 2/10/05,

bangkokpost.com

 

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