Anne Steinemann, a researcher at the University of Washington proved that air fresheners and laundry products contain a large amount of chemicals. Apparently the chemicals are not listed on product labels and the federal government does not require them to do so, and the people don’t know what they are exposing themselves to.

Even though some chemicals are considered to be hazardous or toxic by federal regulatory agencies, the labels forget to mention that, naming only innocuous-sounding "perfume" or "biodegradable" contents.

Steinemann launched her analysis after years of complaints from a lot of people who claimed that air fresheners and other household products made them dizzy, caused headaches or asthma attacks.

Lance Wallace, a retired EPA scientist who is working with Steinemann, pointed out that up to 30 percent of people are sensitive to perfumes and other fragrances. They ordered tests of dryer sheets, fabric softeners, detergents and air fresheners. And they proved that 10 of the 100 volatile organic compounds identified qualified under federal rules as toxic or hazardous.

The newly debated products contain over 58 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with a concentration higher than 300 micrograms per cubic meter. Ventilation is recommended instead of air fresheners and the use of fragrance-free laundry products is highly recommended.

But even that's no guarantee, Steinemann pointed out. Some products marketed as "unscented" or "fragrance-free" actually contain the same chemicals as scented products -- with the addition of a "masking fragrance" that cancels out the smell. “There needs to be more testing of these products and greater disclosure . . . so that people know what they're being exposed to," she explained.

Up to 30% of the people are affected by perfumes and other fragrances although they are not aware of this, Lance Wallace explained.