On the shelves, “sanitizing” bombs, “99.9% antibacterial” sprays and “purifying” machines promise to transform the living room into a sterile bubble. After a flu, a Covid or in case of stubborn odors, the idea of disinfect indoor air reassures. Between slogans and scientific reality, the promise is nevertheless debated.
Since the pandemic, bottles and diffusers have entered millions of homes. At the same time, the number of allergy sufferers has doubled in twenty years to reach 18 million French people. But a question remains: can these products really spare our lungs?
Disinfecting indoor air, an objective beyond the reach of sprays
In hygiene, a disinfectant is a very regulated concept: it must kill a given proportion of microorganisms on a surface, with a precise dose, a contact time and homogeneous coverage. In the air of a room, which circulates and is constantly renewed, these conditions are not met.
The molecules projected by a spray are mainly deposited on furniture and the floor or are evacuated by ventilation. The likelihood of a product particle encountering a suspended virus remains minimal. A 2020 scientific publication also concluded that the effectiveness of spraying in the air was not guaranteed. And during the coronavirus pandemic, ANSES recalled that these devices “do not constitute a means of combating the coronavirus”.
Sanitizing sprays and essential oils, when purifying rhymes with polluting
Antibacterials, deodorants, anti-mites or “sanitizers” rely on perfumes to give an impression of cleanliness. In reality, most emit irritating volatile organic compounds. A survey of 60 million consumers identified 46 products loaded with VOCs, often incorrectly labeled, while the Indoor Air Quality Observatory estimates the cost of this stale air at 19 billion euros per year. Some anti-mites even contain pesticides such as Permethrin, which is toxic to cats.
Essential oil sprays are not trivial. Between 2011 and 2019, poison control centers received 4,100 calls about them, including 1,400 with digestive, skin, eye or respiratory disorders. For Anses, “the toxicity of a substance, whether of natural or synthetic origin, is intrinsically linked to its chemical nature and not to its origin” And “the use of such devices may constitute a source of indoor air pollution“. Oils rich in phenols or ketones, such as clove or menthol eucalyptus, are particularly irritating to the respiratory tract and are not recommended for diffusion.
Air purifiers and good reflexes are really useful
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air purifiers work differently: the air passes through a device, often through a mechanical HEPA type filter which retains some of the fine dust, pollen and smoke. Useful for allergy sufferers, this system does not “disinfect” the atmosphere and does not guarantee the avoidance of a viral infection.
Certain technologies – photocatalysis, ionization, ozonation, plasma – remain poorly evaluated and can generate new pollutants. For healthier air, it is better to follow these simple actions:
- Ventilate for 10 minutes morning and evening;
- Reduce tobacco, humidity, mold, perfumed products
- Clean surfaces rather than spray the air.
Faced with viruses, allergies and odors, the temptation to disinfect the air is strong. However, in the majority of cases, these products add more pollutants than they eliminate. Ventilating, limiting sources of pollution, cleaning surfaces and ventilating regularly remain today the most reliable levers for preserving the quality of the air… and that of our lungs.