The Rise of Essential Oil Diffusers

The use of essential oils and essential oil diffusers have become increasingly popular over the past decade. Essential oils used as aromatherapy are often advertised as remedies for stress relief, better sleep, and enhanced mood. However, recent data from Woosh suggests that the use of essential oil diffusers can lead to poor indoor air quality and negatively impact your HVAC if not operated properly.

This article is a continuation of our “How Humidifiers Can Lead to Poor IAQ” blogpost from September ‘24.

The Case:

This article examines a recent case where an Illinois-based customer noticed a rapid decline in filter life captured by Woosh’s smart air filter. Unsure of the cause, he replaced the filter but the new filter required replacement within days compared to the 8 month filter life he experienced with the previous filter.

Given the sudden increase in differential pressure across the filter, Woosh customer support proactively reached out to the customer to raise awareness and help investigate possible causes, asking whether any new factors — such as home construction or pets — had impacted the environment. After reviewing their Amazon order history, the customer realized the recent introduction of an essential oil diffuser and the usage periods aligned exactly with the poor air quality periods Woosh was measuring.

A Closer Look: Data Analysis

The data above was gathered from Woosh’s air quality monitor (Red Line) and the smart sensor embedded in the filter (Blue Line). From August 11th to October 13th, 2024 the customer was using the essential oil diffuser.

After investigating, essential oil diffusers are effectively humidifiers with small amounts of essential oils added to the liquid solution. Essential oil particles piggyback the water vapor created by humidifiers to diffuse and disperse throughout the room or environment.

As highlighted in our “How Humidifiers Can Lead to Poor IAQ” blogpost, ultrasonic based humidifiers and by extension essential oil diffusers use high-frequency sound waves to vibrate a metal diaphragm, breaking water into a fine mist. While this method is energy-efficient, it also atomizes everything in the water, including minerals like calcium and magnesium, if tap water is used. The harder the water, the higher the mineral content.

Why It Matters: Your Health

Using essential oil diffusers can come with two potential health risks:

1. Increased PM2.5 Levels — When tap water is used in ultrasonic diffusers, minerals in the water can be atomized into fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which can degrade air quality and potentially reach deep into the lungs. This buildup can also clog your air filter faster, affecting both air quality and HVAC performance.

2. High Concentrations of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) — Essential oils are potent plant extracts that emit VOCs, which may negatively impact respiratory health. The American Lung Association article “Essential Oils Harmful or Helpful” notes that VOCs from essential oils can contribute to symptoms like coughing, throat and nose irritation, and shortness of breath

Preventing the Problem: Simple Solutions

To reduce PM2.5 levels, always use distilled water or demineralization tablets in ultrasonic diffusers. For essential oil diffusion, limit run times to fixed intervals to prevent the buildup of VOCs and maintain adequate air circulation in the room or home.

Key Takeaways

While more research is needed on the health effects of essential oils, keep in mind that personal sensitivity varies, and your experiences with essential oils may influence their impact on your health. This article highlights how easily indoor air quality can be impacted by unexpected sources, as explored in ‘How Humidifiers Can Lead to Poor IAQ’. When using a diffuser, be sure you minimize PM2.5 levels by following our simple solutions.

Woosh’s smart air filter and air quality monitor can detect seemingly invisible issues early, giving homeowners the opportunity to address potential problems before they worsen. Eliminate the guesswork surrounding your air quality with Woosh!

Sources

https://www.lung.org/blog/essential-oils-harmful-or-helpful

https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-essential-oils