Researchers at the University of Washington warned that a number of top-selling laundry products and air fresheners contain toxic chemical, which pose a serious threat to our health.

University of Washington civil and environmental engineering professor Anne Steinemann looked at six popular products that habitually make their way into our homes and found a number of 100 volatile organic compounds, seven of which considered very dangerous to human health. Moreover, results showed 58 different volatile organic compounds above a concentration of 300 micrograms per cubic meter. Many of them were present in more than one of the six products.

The examined products included a fabric softener, a laundry detergent, a liquid spray air freshener, a plug-in air freshener, a solid disc deodorizer used in commercial-airplane toilet and dryer sheets.

“I was surprised by both the number and the potential toxicity of the chemicals that were found “Chemicals included acetone, the active ingredient in paint thinner and nail-polish remover; limonene, a molecule with a citrus scent; and acetaldehyde, chloromethane and 1, 4-dioxane,” Steinemann said.

She further advised consumers to be careful about what they buy because they don’ really know what might come out beside the fresh smell. She also urged them to read the label very carefully or replace air fresheners with ventilation. As for laundry products, she recommended people opt for fragrance-free versions.

The study appeared online in the journal Environmental Impact Assessment Review.