The use of essential oils for aromatherapy, air fresheners and household cleaning sprays, along with ozone air purifiers, can be harmful to people’s health, as they release aerosols in the air with volatile organic compounds (VOCs), scientists warned.
AMBIENT
National Sun Yat-sen University Aerosol Science Research Center head Wang Chia-chin (王家蓁), who presented a paper at the 2023 International Workshop on Aerosol Multidisciplinary in Kaohsiung on Monday, said that 70 to 80 percent of aerosols collected from ambient air are found as “secondary organic aerosols” (SOAs) which are suspended fine particulate molecules produced via oxidation or photochemical reactions over several generations of an original parent organic molecule.
Photo courtesy of the university
Wang said that her study indicated that much of the essential oils for aromatherapy, as well as air freshener and household cleaning sprays, contain monoterpene compounds, which produce the characteristic aroma and scent from fruits, spices, herbs and plant materials.
When these are used at home, in combination with ozone air purifiers, they result in excessive amounts of SOAs in the air and pose a health threat to those breathing them in, she said.
HUMIDITY
Wang said she and her research team found that when humidity is above a certain level, or if the parent organic aerosols already have binding water molecules, water can act as a reactive agent and boost SOAs to much higher levels in the air while altering their physiochemical properties.
Taiwan is about to enter its “air pollution season,” which lasts from this month through March, and some people like using spray machines at home in combination with perfumed essential oils, air fresheners or household cleaning sprays, which contain monoterpene compounds, Wang said.
AEROSOLS
This can lead to the production of harmful aerosols containing SOAs, which have harmful effects on human health according to international studies, she added.
A number of prominent aerosol scientists such as Judith Chow and John Watson from the Division of Atmospheric Sciences at the Desert Research Institute in the US, and Ralf Zimmermann from the University of Rostock and Helmholtz Zentrum Munchen in Germany also presented their research at the workshop.
Additional reporting by Jason Pan
Taipei has once again made it to the top 100 in Oxford Economics’ Global Cities Index 2025 report, moving up five places from last year to 60. The annual index, which was published last month, evaluated 1,000 of the most populated metropolises based on five indices — economics, human capital, quality of life, environment and governance. New York maintained its top spot this year, placing first in the economics index thanks to the strength of its vibrant financial industry and economic stability. Taipei ranked 263rd in economics, 44th in human capital, 15th in quality of life, 284th for environment and 75th in governance,
The Sports Administration yesterday demanded an apology from the national table tennis association for barring 17-year-old Yeh Yi-tian (葉伊恬) from competing in the upcoming World Table Tennis (WTT) United States Smash tournament in Las Vegas this July. The sports agency said in a statement that the Chinese Taipei Table Tennis Association (CTTTA) must explain to the public why it withdrew Yeh from the WTT tournament in Las Vegas. The sports agency said it contacted the association to express its disapproval of the decision-making process after receiving a complaint from Yeh’s coach, Chuang
Control Yuan Secretary-General Lee Chun-yi (李俊俋) tendered his resignation last night, admitting that he had misused a government vehicle, as reported by media. His resignation was immediately accepted by the Control Yuan. In a statement explaining why he had resigned, Lee apologized for using a Control Yuan vehicle to transport his dog to a pet grooming salon on May 20. The issue first came to light late last month, when TVBS News reported that Lee had instructed his driver to take the dog to the salon. The news channel broadcast photos that it said were taken by an unnamed whistle-blower, which purportedly showed the
A former officer in China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) who witnessed the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre has warned that Taiwan could face a similar fate if China attempts to unify the country by force. Li Xiaoming (李曉明), who was deployed to Beijing as a junior officer during the crackdown, said Taiwanese people should study the massacre carefully, because it offers a glimpse of what Beijing is willing to do to suppress dissent. “What happened in Tiananmen Square could happen in Taiwan too,” Li told CNA in a May 22 interview, ahead of the massacre’s 36th anniversary. “If Taiwanese students or
RSS