Holiday scents such as gingerbread, pine, and mulled wine fill homes during the season, but experts warn that the same fragrances can release pollutants that affect indoor air quality.
While candles, incense, and fireplaces create a cozy ambiance, the pollutants they emit may linger in the home, especially during the colder months when people spend more time indoors.
Indoor Air Quality During the Holidays
The American Lung Association notes that indoor air can be significantly more polluted than outdoor air because pollutants get trapped inside and concentrate without proper ventilation or filtration.
Active fireplaces and gas appliances release tiny airborne particles that can reach the lungs, and chemicals such as nitrogen dioxide, a major component of smog, are emitted, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Cleaning products, air fresheners, and candles also emit air pollutants at varying concentrations.
Vulnerable Populations
Children, older adults, minority populations, and people of low socioeconomic status are more likely to be affected by poor air quality because of physiological vulnerabilities or higher exposure, the environmental agency says.
McCormack explains that children are especially susceptible because their lung size means they receive a greater dose of exposure relative to their body size.
Pollutants inside the home pose a greater hazard to people with heart or lung conditions, including asthma.
Symptoms and Immediate Actions
Signs of respiratory irritation include coughing, shortness of breath, headaches, a runny nose, and sneezing.
Experts advise stopping use of pollutant‑releasing products or immediately ventilating rooms if these symptoms occur.
Practical Precautions
Ellen Wilkowe burns candles with scents like vanilla and cinnamon when she does yoga, writes or when she is showering at her home in New Jersey.
Her teenage daughter, on the other hand, likes more seasonally scented candles like gingerbread.
“The candle has a calming presence. They are also very symbolic and used in rituals and many religions,” she said.
Wilkowe leans toward soy‑based waxes instead of petroleum‑based paraffin, but experts note that all lit candles give off air pollutants regardless of what they are made of.
McCormack recommends buying products with fewer ingredients, opening windows if the temperatures allow, and using air purifiers with HEPA filters to reduce exposure to pollutants from indoor fireplaces, appliances, and candle displays.
She also advises switching on kitchen exhaust fans before starting a gas‑powered stovetop and using the back burners so the vent can more easily suck up pollutants.
Setting polite boundaries with guests who smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products is also a good idea.
Expert Insight
“Clean air is fragrance free,” said McCormack, who has studied air quality and lung health for more than 20 years.
“If having seasonal scents is part of your tradition or evokes feelings of nostalgia, maybe think about it in moderation.”
She added, “The more risk factors you have, the more harmful air pollution or poor air quality indoors can be.”
“Small improvements in air quality can have measurable health benefits,” McCormack said.
“Similarly to if we exercise and eat a little better, we can be healthier.”
Rachael Lewis-Abbott, a member of the Indoor Air Quality Association, an organization for professionals who identify and address air quality problems, said people don’t usually notice what they are breathing in until problems like gas leaks or mold develop.
“It is out of sight, out of mind,” she said.
Key Takeaways
- Holiday scents can release indoor pollutants that may affect respiratory health.
- Vulnerable groups—children, older adults, minorities, low‑income households—face higher risks.
- Simple steps such as using HEPA purifiers, opening windows, and ventilating appliances can improve indoor air quality.
As the holiday season brings warmth and fragrance to homes, staying mindful of indoor air quality can help protect the health of everyone in the household.
By following practical precautions and moderating scented product use, families can enjoy the seasonal aromas while keeping the air clean and safe.
Hi, I’m Cameron R. Hayes, the journalist, editor, and creator behind NewsOfFortWorth.com. I built this platform with a simple purpose — to deliver fast, clear, and trustworthy news that keeps Fort Worth informed and connected.
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