effects of spray air fresheners and scented candle exposure on air quality, growth, and locomotor activity in rats

Introduction: air fresheners and scented candles release harmful chemicals indoors, potentially posing health risks with prolonged exposure. materials and methods: this study investigated the effects of inhaling emissions from these products on growth and locomotor activity in rats. forty rats (180–200g) were randomly assigned to four groups: air freshener (a), scented candle (b), combined exposure (d), and control (c). exposures were conducted in a controlled inhalation chamber for 10, 20, and 30 days (1 h/day), with 15 min of direct exposure. environmental parameters (particulate matter (pm2.5, pm10), total volatile organic compounds (tvocs), formaldehyde (hcho), temperature, and humidity) were monitored at three time intervals: 0–15 min (emission), 15–30 min (without emission), and 30–60 min (without emission), using a portable monitoring device. results: significant increases (p≤0.05) in pm2.5, pm10, tvoc, and hcho were observed in group d compared to other groups. rats in group d showed reduced growth rate and locomotor activity. conclusion: these findings suggest that combined exposure worsens indoor air quality and may impair physiological and behavioral health.