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Published online 10 May 2004 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news040503-11

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Air-fresheners cause a stink

Fears raised as plug-ins linked to cancer compounds.

A potentially harmful smog can form inside homes through reactions between air-fresheners and ozone, say researchers at the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The reactions generate formaldehyde, classed as a probable carcinogen, and related compounds that many experts believe are responsible for respiratory problems.

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