The silent culprit that harms many people's kidneys, smelled every day.

Many people believe that pleasant scents in everyday life, such as perfume, laundry detergent, or incense, only help to relax and create a comfortable feeling. However, according to Dr. Hong Yong-Tuong, a nephrologist at the Nephrology Department of Tam Quan General Hospital (Taiwan), some familiar scents may actually contain toxic compounds that can affect health if exposed for a long time.

Many people know that cheap perfumes contain fragrance-fixing agents, and frequent use is not good for health, but in the ranking of the top 5 scents harmful to the kidneys compiled by Doctor Hong Yongxiang, cheap perfumes even ranked last, according to China Times.

The smell of cooking oil smoke.

The aroma from stir-frying or grilling at high temperatures is actually a product of the breakdown of fats at high temperatures.

According to the journal Occupational and Environmental Medicine, cooking fumes contain many polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Whether absorbed through ingestion or inhalation, these substances can cause oxidative stress in the body and are an "invisible killer" leading to chronic kidney disease.

Cooking fumes contain many substances harmful to the kidneys. Photo: Shutterstock.

The scent of incense and sandalwood used in worship.

Many people believe that incense sticks and agarwood are natural and therefore harmless. However, a long-term study published in the journal Environment International found that burning incense and agarwood releases large amounts of PM2.5 fine dust, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and heavy metals.

When inhaled during worship, ultrafine dust particles can pass through the alveoli into the bloodstream, potentially leading to arteriosclerosis and indirectly impairing kidney function.

Air fresheners for cars or bathrooms.

Placing air fresheners or fragrances in enclosed spaces such as cars or bathrooms can increase the concentration of toxins in the air.

Research from the University of California Berkeley (USA) confirms that many types of home fragrances contain large amounts of terpenes. When combined with ozone in the air, they can create ultrafine particles and formaldehyde. Long-term exposure not only harms the respiratory system but is also toxic to the liver and kidneys.

Fragrant laundry detergent

Clothes that remain fragrant for days after washing are often due to laundry detergents or fabric softeners containing chemical fragrance-retaining agents.

According to a study by the University of Washington (USA) published in the journal Air Quality , Atmosphere & Health, the scent from clothes dryers contains many volatile toxic substances such as acetaldehyde. If inhaled over a long period, these artificial fragrances can cause chronic inflammation and increase the metabolic burden on the kidneys.

Cheap perfume

A 2021 study published in the journal Environmental Research indicated that to make fragrances last longer, many perfumes and cosmetics on the market often add phthalates such as DEP. These substances can disrupt the endocrine system. Their metabolites, when excreted in urine, can potentially damage the renal tubules.

Dr. Hong Vinh Tuong emphasized that liking scents isn't a bad thing, but it's important to remember to keep the air well-ventilated and reduce exposure to certain scents. The expert advises that to avoid pleasant scents becoming a burden on the kidneys: