People are turning their noses up at fragranced household products, with more than a third of people complaining they make them sick.
University of Melbourne researcher Professor Anne Steinemann has surveyed thousands of Australians and Americans and found that many can suffer migraines, asthma attacks, and seizures after a whiff of air fresheners, soaps, candles and laundry detergents.
More than one third of the 1136 Americans surveyed by Prof Steinemann reported feeling sick after being exposed to scented household products.
"These are products that are supposed to be pleasing but they're making people sick," she told AAP.
She said there were strong similarities in her findings from the US study, published in the Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health journal, and her yet-to-be-published survey of more than 1100 Aussies.
More than half said they would prefer fragrance-free workplaces, hotels and planes, while more than 20 per cent would leave a business abruptly if they could smell air fresheners or a similar fragranced product.
Prof Steinemann said fragrance-free policies should be considered by businesses because the issue extends beyond personal health to incorporate public rights and economic profit.
"This isn't just someone saying they don't happen to like the aroma," she said.
"People are reporting effects such as dizziness and cognitive problems which impacts upon workplace performance."
More than 15 per cent of those surveyed reported losing work days or a job as a result of their reaction - sometimes due to a co-workers' heavy perfume - while more than 17 per cent could not use a public rest room if air freshener had been used in it.
"Fragrances are pervasive, they are in hundreds of different products in Australian society," she said.
"People should be able to access public spaces without concern over reactions.
"The most prevalent and highest concentrations of pollutants within indoor spaces are fragrance compounds."
But buying fragranced products labelled "natural, organic or green" is not the solution, Prof Steinemann said.
"When I have analysed these fragranced products, they do have synthetic compounds within them," she said.
"The adverse health effects from them are just as common."
She is investigating why particular chemicals - such as orange-scented limonene - are linked to health problems even if people don't react with pine trees, or oranges and lemons.
Prof Steinemann suggests scrapping the use of air fresheners altogether.
"They mask an existing problem. Instead of using air fresheners, deal with the source of the problem and increase ventilation or reduce the source," she said.
MOST COMMON REACTIONS TO FRAGRANCED PRODUCTS
* Respiratory problems: coughing, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath (18.6pct)
* Mucosal symptoms: watery/ red eyes, nasal congestion, sneezing (16.2pct)
* Migraine headaches (15.7pct)
* Skin problems: rashes, hives, tingling skin, dermatitis (10.6pct)
* Asthma attacks (8 pct)
