By Stephanie Ray, ND
Naturopathic Doctor & Chinese Herbalist | Founder of BIORAY
What’s Really in That “Fresh” Scent
Many car air fresheners release toxic chemicals into the air as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Research shows these fragrance products can emit chemicals such as phthalates, benzene, and formaldehyde, which can affect indoor air quality inside vehicles. Because cars are small enclosed spaces, exposure to these chemicals can become more concentrated than people realize.
What the Research Shows
Research has found that many air fresheners release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other fragrance chemicals into the air.
Studies analyzing consumer air fresheners have detected hundreds of emitted chemicals, including phthalates, benzene, and formaldehyde. In a small enclosed space like a car, concentrations can become higher than in larger indoor environments.
In addition, fragrance ingredients are often listed simply as “fragrance,” meaning many individual chemical components are not disclosed on product labels.
Have you ever stepped into a car and immediately noticed that strong “fresh” scent?
Sometimes it’s hanging from the mirror. Sometimes it’s clipped into the air vent. And sometimes parents pick one up just to cover sports gear, snacks, or the mystery smell that appears during carpool season.
Most people assume car air fresheners are harmless. They’re sold everywhere and marketed as a simple way to keep cars smelling clean.
But many car air fresheners release chemicals into the air we breathe. And inside a small enclosed space like a car, those exposures can add up quickly.
What Toxic Chemicals Are in Car Air Fresheners?
Most car air fresheners don’t remove odors. They release fragrance chemicals that mask smells.
Many of these products emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—chemicals that easily evaporate into the air and are inhaled.
Studies analyzing air fresheners have detected chemicals including:
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phthalates
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formaldehyde
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benzene
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toluene
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synthetic fragrance compounds
Many of these chemicals are used to make scents stronger or longer lasting.
Phthalates, for example, help fragrances linger. Because fragrance formulas are protected as trade secrets, manufacturers are not required to list all fragrance chemicals on the label.
Why This Matters More for Babies and Children
Babies and young children breathe more air relative to their body size than adults, and their detoxification systems are still developing.
Because car seats place them close to vent clips or hanging air fresheners, they may be exposed to higher concentrations of fragrance chemicals in a small enclosed space.
Parents sometimes notice changes such as:
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increased fussiness or irritability
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trouble settling or sleeping
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difficulty focusing or sitting still
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rubbing eyes or nose
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sensitivity to smells
These responses can simply reflect a child’s greater sensitivity to environmental exposures.
Adults may notice different symptoms such as:
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headaches
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dizziness
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brain fog
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respiratory irritation
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seasonal irritations or aggravations
Not everyone reacts the same way. But once families understand that many air fresheners release fragrance chemicals into the air, they often choose to reduce unnecessary exposures.
In clinical practice, I’ve found that when families reduce everyday chemical exposures and support healthy detox pathways, children often do much better.
Simple Ways to Reduce Exposure
If you want a healthier car environment, a few simple changes can make a difference.
Remove synthetic air fresheners
This includes:
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hanging air fresheners
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vent clips
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gel scents
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fragrance sprays
Address the source of odors
Clean upholstery, remove trash, and replace the cabin air filter when needed.
Improve ventilation
Opening windows periodically allows fresh air to circulate.
Use simple odor absorbers
Some families prefer:
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activated charcoal
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baking soda
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regular cleaning and airflow
Sometimes the best air freshener is simply fresh air.
Herbal Support for Detoxification
Reducing exposure is always the first step.
From there, we support the body with herbal formulas that help bind and remove environmental toxins while supporting healthy detox pathways.
At BIORAY®, we developed formulas across several product lines to support detoxification and neurological balance at different ages and levels of imbalance. In many cases, I recommend using a minimum of two formulas together to support both detox pathways and the nervous system.
Many of our formulas include micronized chlorella, which helps gently bind and remove environmental toxins while supporting healthy elimination.
BIORAY® Clinical Line
For Significant Imbalances (All Ages)
When I see deeper toxic load or more significant imbalances, I usually begin by supporting the liver and detox pathways more directly.
Liver Life® + NDF® Detox + NDF+® Detox
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Liver Life® supports healthy liver function and bile flow, an essential pathway for detoxification and elimination.
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NDF® Detox supports the body’s ability to bind and remove environmental toxins.
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NDF+® Detox provides additional support for deeper detoxification needs and, according to our research, helps enhance the brain’s ability to utilize oxygen through the heme biosynthesis pathway.
Together these formulas support multiple detox pathways.
BIORAY® Adult Daily Line
For Adults with Mild Imbalances
For adults with milder toxic load or everyday environmental exposures, I often recommend gentle daily support.
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Liver Lover® supports healthy liver detoxification.
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Mind Focus® supports brain function, focus, and the nervous system.
Both formulas contain fermented herbs and medicinal mushrooms that support the brain’s ability to utilize oxygen through the heme biosynthesis pathway, according to our research.
RAYZ® Line
For Teens (13–19 Years)
During the teenage years the brain is developing rapidly, so supporting focus and neurological balance can be helpful.
This formula contains fermented herbs and medicinal mushrooms that support healthy oxygen utilization in the brain through the heme biosynthesis pathway, helping support focus, attention, and learning.
BIORAY® Kids Line
For Children (1–12 Years) with Mild Imbalances
For younger children, I prefer formulas designed specifically for developing detox and neurological systems.
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NDF Focus® supports attention and healthy brain function.
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NDF Calm® supports emotional balance and the nervous system.
Like the formulas above, NDF Focus® includes fermented herbs and medicinal mushrooms that support oxygen utilization in the brain through the heme biosynthesis pathway.
Using both formulas together supports neurological balance while maintaining gentle detox support.
BIORAY® Infant Support
For Babies
Babies can also benefit from gentle digestive and detox support while their systems are still developing.
This formula helps settle babies’ tummies while supporting gentle detoxification. It contains micronized chlorella, which helps bind and remove toxins from the body while remaining appropriate for infants.
A Note for Parents
Car air fresheners are everywhere, so most people never think twice about them. But once you understand that many of these products release fragrance chemicals into the air, it becomes easier to decide what is right for your family.
Some parents choose to remove them from the car. Others focus on fresh air, regular cleaning, and reducing unnecessary exposures where they can.
Our bodies are designed to detoxify. When we reduce the toxic load and support the body with nutrients and herbs that help bind and remove environmental toxins while supporting healthy detox pathways, the body can often do what it was designed to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are car air fresheners toxic?
Some air fresheners release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fragrance chemicals such as phthalates, benzene, and formaldehyde. Because cars are small enclosed spaces, these chemicals can affect indoor air quality.
Are air fresheners safe for babies and children?
Babies and young children may be more sensitive to fragrance chemicals because their detoxification systems are still developing and they breathe more air relative to their body size. Many families choose to reduce exposure to synthetic fragrances and support healthy detox pathways instead.
