'What is That Smell?'

I was watching TV the other day.  I find myself being very intrigued by the commercials.  That's right - you read it correctly, the commercials!  Those breaks where everyone else in the world goes to get a snack or take care of some other business before the show starts again! Why?  Because I am becoming more and more aware of all the toxins and nasty things that I am inhaling, ingesting and absorbing everyday, I am becoming fascinated with today's marketing ploys.

I apologize to any readers that are in the marketing field.  I am not criticizing what you do.  I love marketing!  I am just now paying more attention to exactly what is being marketed.  Specifically how some of the marketing companies make something that is so bad for you sound like something you can't live without.

We have all seen the wonderful commercials that the pharmaceutical companies put out - right? I mean come on already, how is it that we think we can just keep putting all this junk in our bodies and not have some kind of negative effect to our chemistry?  Have you every listened to the list of side effects on some of these drugs? My favorite is "death may occur" - REALLY?!? I think I will skip that drug thank you!

One of my biggest pet peeves are the commercials for the popular air fresheners that promise to cover all your odors from garbage to cat litter boxes.  Let's set the stage....Imagine, walking into your house at the end of a long day and inhaling that wonderful scent of lavender or citrus or whatever your favorite fragrance may be.  You picture a living room full of wildflowers. The world is at peace all because your house smells wonderful. Close your eyes....pretty, isn't it?

They (the marketers) make it so compelling, don't they?  I know I wanted to run out and buy one to try it out!  Let's re-run that scene... You walk into your house after a long day at the office or out schlepping the kids all around creation.  You come into your house to a beautiful fragrance of lavendar...and phthalates and formaldehyde...

What are phthalates?  They are chemicals put into air fresheners to help prolong the life of the scent.  They are hazardous chemicals that are known to cause hormonal abnormalities, birth defects, and reproductive problems.  Really?  If everyone knew that, the air freshener companies would be out of business!  Why don't we?  Because we are trained to believe what we see and hear and read in the marketing for these products which makes them sound ok to use.

Did you know that a large majority of synthetic air fresheners emit significant amounts of terpene, a volatile organic compound that can react with naturally occurring ozone to create formaldehyde? Again...really?  This is not what I need to be inhaling when I come through my door at the end of the day. Some of these chemicals have even been linked to allergies and asthma and other lung conditions.

How about using a natural air freshener?  There are a lot of new all natural air fresheners on the market now.  You can also make your own. Just go to the Internet and search for "homemade air freshener." Your lungs will be eternally grateful!