Joss sticks, air fresheners and scented candles come under scrutiny by Spanish health authorities
Monday, May 19, 2014 @ 2:27 PM
HEALTH authorities in Spain want to withdraw certain types of joss sticks, scented candles, air fresheners and aromatic oils from the market following reports from a major consumers' union that a number of these give off toxic substances.
Having analysed some of these, the OCU claims they emit 'high levels' of chemicals such as benzene and formaldehyde, making them 'as harmful to health as cigarette smoke'.
This is not only the case in Spain, says the OCU, since similar research has been carried out in Italy, Portugal and Belgium and shown 'identical results'.
PP health department members say the items in question should 'not be used in poorly-ventilated areas', nor 'in the presence of children, asthma or allergy sufferers or pregnant women'.
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