Ozium Glycol-ized Air Sanitizer of which we will refer to from here on out as Ozium is one of MEDO Industries Inc.’s most esteemed products. Ozium is an aerosol spray housed in an aluminum can that generally comes in three sizes (3.5 oz, .08 oz, or 14.5 oz) and 4 scents (original, fresh citrus, country fresh, and vanilla). As a synthetic air freshener, it promises to “reduce airborne bacteria” and “eliminate odors” by cleaning the air (Amazon.com). It is professional grade, but is commonly used throughout both the public and the private sphere from such places as hotels, hospitals, schools, and offices to individuals homes and cars. Consumers have verified the claims made by Ozium and are overjoyed with the results. My question, as always, is then: What exactly is in this little or big bottle of joy? The label on the can provides little transparency in ingredients in that it categorizes a great deal of the ingredients as inert ingredients without specifying what those inert ingredients are and in turn leaves much to be desired, but that’s ok, because I’ve got my trusty Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) which gives quite a comprehensive list of the ingredients. The ingredients listed on the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and their effects are as follows:

Active Ingredients (8.8 %)

Propylene Glycol (4.4%): A transparent, colorless, nearly odorless, nearly tasteless, and syrupy liquid with the molecular formula of C3-H8-O2. Most commonly used as an intermediate in the production of polyesters. Effects include limited evidence as a skin and immune system toxicant and allergen; classification as a skin irritant, and an expected toxicant that is harmful to the non-reproductive organ system, but not to the developmental/reproductive organ system (USDHHS, Brown, EWG).

Triethylene Glycol (4.4%) : A transparent, colorless, nearly odorless, and nearly tasteless liquid with the molecular formula of C6-H14-O4. Most commonly used as a fragrance (cosmetics), solvent (resins, pesticides, textile dyeing), humectant (printing inks and tobacco), plasticizer, and disinfectant. Effects include classification as an expected toxicant that is harmful to the non-reproductive organ system (USDHHS, Brown, EWG).

Inert Ingredients ( 91. 2 %)

*Fragrances/Perfumes ( < 5 %) : A transparent, colorless to colorful, odorous, and often bitter tasting liquid made from either synthetic chemicals, natural oil and spices, or both that is made to impart a pleasant smell on a person, place, or thing depending on its use. Notes state that fragrances/perfumes are exempt from disclosure under the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973 in that they are considered a trade secret. The fragrance/perfume used in Ozium is thus not specified and could include one or many of the 3,100 stock of natural essences and synthetic chemicals (often petrochemicals) typically found in fragrances/perfumes many of which have not been tested for safety. In fact, the average product tested contained 14 secret chemicals not listed on the label or even the MSDS. It is thus impossible to identify the ingredients involved, their common usage, and their effects (USDHHS, Brown, EWG).

*Isopropanol (40-50 %) : A transparent, colorless, odorous (ethanol and acetone or rubbing alcohol smell), and bitter tasting liquid with the molecular formula of C3-H8-O. Most commonly used as a fuel antifreeze and an intermediate in the synthesis of organic chemicals; also used as a solvent for oils, resins, cosmetics, and many other household products such as disinfectants. Effects include limited evidence as a developmental/reproductive, respiratory, kidney, and sense organ toxicant; classification as an expected toxicant that is harmful to the non-reproductive organ system; and classification as a skin, eyes, and lung irritant that is not likely to be a human carcinogen (USDHHS, Brown, EWG).

*Water (5-10%) : A transparent, colorless, odorless, and tasteless liquid with the molecular formula of H2O. Most commonly used for general growing, production, and human consumption. Effects include classification as innocuous, nontoxic, and harmless to the overall organ system (USDHHS, Brown, EWG).

*Hydrocarbon Propellent (Unspecified) (35-45%) : The Hydrocarbon Propellent used in Ozium is not specified. The most commonly used Hydrocarbon Propellents and their effects, however, are as follows:

*Propane: A transparent, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas with the molecular formula of C3-H8. Most commonly used as a fuel, solvent, refrigerant, and propellant. Effects include strong evidence as an immune system toxicant and allergen and as a skin, eye, and lung irritant; and classification as an expected toxicant that is harmful to the non-reproductive system (USDHHS, Brown, EWG).

*Isobutane: A transparent, colorless, odorous (gasoline or natural gas smell), and tasteless gas that has structural isomers of butane with the molecular formula of C4-H10. Most commonly used as a fuel, a refrigerant, a propellant, a gasoline additive, and to calibrate instruments and to make other organic chemicals. Effects include strong evidence as an immune system toxicant and allergen and as a skin, eye, and lung irritant; and classification as an expected toxicant that is harmful to the non-reproductive organ system (USDHHS, Brown, EWG).

*Ethane: A transparent, colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas with the molecular formula of C2-H6. Most commonly used to produce chlorinated derivatives, and as a refrigerant and fuel gas. Effects include strong evidence as a lung , skin, and eye irritant ; classification as a non-reproductive system toxicant and allergen; and classification as s nervous system toxicant and allergen (USDHHS, Brown, EWG).

* Not specified on label. Vaguely categorized as an inert ingredient.

Secret Ingredients Exposed

**Diethyl Isophthalate: A transparent, colorless to white, nearly odorless, bitter tasting and oily liquid with the molecular formula of C12-H14-O4. Most commonly used as a plasticizer. Effects include limited evidence as a developmental/reproductive organ system toxicant, immune system toxicant and allergen, and an endocrine system disruption; classification as potentially nontoxic and harmless to the non-reproductive organ system, but animal lab studies indicate that at moderate doses it is (USDHHS, Brown, EWG).

**Dimethyl Isophthalate: A transparent, colorless to pale yellow, aromatic smelling, bitter tasting, and oily liquid with the molecular formula of C10-H10-04. Most commonly used as a plasticizer, to make polyester resins, as a polyacrylate resin comonomer, and as a perfume fixative. Effects include limited evidence as a reproductive system toxicant, and immune system toxicant and allergen; strong evidence as a known respiratory system toxicant; and classification as a non-carcinogen, and as potentially nontoxic and harmless to the non-reproductive organ system, but animal lab studies indicate that at moderate doses it is (USDHHS, Brown, EWG).

** Not on Label or MSDS, but found in testing.

The overall ranking is in and it’s not good. In fact, it’s BAD. The product is lousy with ingredients that are of moderate hazard to one’s health. The verdict? The benefits aren’t worth the risk. Scrap it!