Citrus- and pine-scented cleaners produce formaldehyde

BERKELEY, CA — Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley conducted a study that found terpenes in pine oils and citrus oils react with ozone to produce formaldehyde, according to the San Jose Health Examiner.


Formaldehyde is a strong eye, nose, throat and lung irritant and is also an asthma trigger and a carcinogen, the story stated.


The researchers found cleaning a small bathroom with citrus or pine-scented cleaners for 15 minutes can lead to excessive formaldehyde exposure, the story noted.


According to the EPA, formaldehyde can cause red watery eyes, sore throats, skin rashes and sinus infections.


The best way to decrease formaldehyde exposure is to open windows and ventilate the area, especially after using pine or citrus cleaners in warm weather when ozone is highest, the story added.