Are indoor air fresheners safe for pregnant women?

What's actually in it

Indoor air fresheners are essentially delivery systems for volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These are chemicals that turn into gas at room temperature and fill the air you breathe. While they are marketed to make your home smell better, they are introducing a complex mix of pollutants into your living space.

Many of these products contain endocrine disruptors: chemicals that interfere with your body's hormone systems. When you use these sprays or plug-ins, you are directly increasing your exposure to substances that can affect your respiratory health and hormonal balance.

What the research says

The science is clear that these chemicals are not harmless. A 2026 study in Inhal Toxicol used a human lung model to assess the respiratory hazards of VOCs. The researchers found that these compounds pose a direct risk to your airway cells.

Furthermore, your exposure to these chemicals has real-world consequences for your immune system. A 2026 study in Toxics highlights how indoor VOC exposure patterns are linked to changes in white blood cell counts, which are a key part of your immune response.

The risks extend beyond just your lungs. A 2026 study in Hum Genomics identified specific endocrine disruptors that are linked to chronic lung disease. Because pregnancy is a sensitive time for both hormonal regulation and immune function, adding these chemicals to your home environment is a risk you don't need to take.