Air Freshener Report Makes Retailer Take Positive Action

Walgreens Pulls Potentially Risky Air Fresheners from Shelves

NEW YORK (September 20, 2007) – A study revealing that some air fresheners contain chemicals that may affect hormones and reproductive development has spurred Walgreens to alter the content of their air freshening products. The study, released yesterday by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), found that various common household air fresheners – including Walgreens products - contain phthalates, which may be pose a particular health risk to babies and young children. Walgreens announced that it will take proactive steps to protect their customers, including pull these potentially harmful products from their shelves, conducting independent safety testing on them, and making phthalate-free versions available in their stores soon.


Statement from Dr. Gina Solomon, NRDC scientist, regarding Walgreens Decision:

“Pulling these air fresheners from their shelves is a conscious choice on the part of Walgreens to put their customers first and take the lead on product safety. This is a wonderful example of corporate responsibility and also shows how companies and health groups can work together to find solutions.”

“Hopefully other companies will follow Walgreens’ lead. And we also hope that the federal government will step up and protect citizens further by taking closer look at the risks of phthalates and requiring companies to test for these chemicals and properly label their products.”


The Natural Resources Defense Council is a national, nonprofit organization of scientists, lawyers and environmental specialists dedicated to protecting public health and the environment. Founded in 1970, NRDC has 1.2 million members and online activists, served from offices in New York, Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Beijing.