An awareness tool, not a substitute for medical advice

Exposition & Fertilité

Air fresheners and indoor sprays

Volatile organic compounds

Evidence level : Emerging / debated CleaningMechanism : Environmental / physical burden

🟠 Some signals exist (animal studies, small human studies) but results are conflicting and the scientific community is still debating them.

Where it's found
Air fresheners, scented candles, incense, scented cleaning sprays.
Suspected mechanism
Emission of volatile compounds inhaled in enclosed spaces; hormonal effects are suspected for some synthetic musks.
Suggested alternative
Air out the room for 10 minutes a day: it's more effective than an air freshener.
Source
ANSES, indoor air quality.

Map your everyday exposures in about ten minutes.

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Related factors

Including a factor does not mean it causes infertility: it is simply worth monitoring, depending on its level of evidence.

Content last updated: September 14, 2026