Environmental groups petitioned the U.S. EPA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission yesterday to regulate air fresheners, which can aggravate asthma and often contain chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde, as well as other compounds linked to developmental problems in kids. The eco-groups want companies to list all the ingredients in air fresheners and conduct health and safety tests, including study of the respiratory effects of breathing in freshener chemicals. In response to independent testing commissioned by the environmental groups of 14 different air fresheners, Walgreens pulled three of its store-brand fresheners off the shelves of its 5,850 U.S. stores pending its own tests. The air freshener industry is expected to reach sales of $1.72 billion this year.
