Is Your Air Freshener Damaging Your Lungs?

If you have a respiratory ailment, COVID-19 has probably been of significant concern for you, considering that many people died from damage to their lungs when they were hospitalized with COVID.

But, did you know that you could very likely be damaging your lungs if you’re exposed to air fresheners? According to Medsafe, “Researchers have measured and identified air freshener chemicals that are linked to cancer, neurotoxicity, and effects from endocrine disruption. Not to mention a large portion of the population experiences headaches and respiratory difficulty from exposure.”

The Name is Misleading

Though they’re called “air fresheners,” the name is misleading. Air fresheners very likely don’t improve air quality by removing impurities. Some air freshener products claim that they do, but when they were asked for actual data to back up their claims, the manufacturers of these air fresheners could not provide any public information or data.

It also appears that the makers of air fresheners are making false advertising claims, as well. Air freshener packaging marked “Green” or “All Natural” have no legal or regulatory status and are usually marketing ploys.

How Does Lung Damage Your Insurability?

Life insurance companies are very profitable, and they own many large office towers because they have evaluating risk down to a science. They employ people called “actuaries” that determine which health risks are acceptable to the insurance company and which aren’t.

When people think of high-risk illnesses, they usually think of things like cancer and heart problems. But, one of the major causes of people being declined for life insurance is respiratory ailments, especially now.
Older adults are already a high risk group for life insurance companies because of higher mortality rates, but older adults with respiratory ailments are even riskier because of the high death rates from respiratory failure caused by COVID. Insurers know that someone who already has a respiratory ailment and is hospitalized from COVID has a greater chance of dying than someone without that pre-existing condition. Insurers aren’t willing to take that risk.

Where Can You Get Life Insurance?

Not all life insurance companies will decline you if you have respiratory problems, like emphysema, asthma, or COPD. Some companies offer immediate coverage while others offer “guaranteed issue life insurance” policies. As the name implies, anyone between the ages of 45 and 85 is eligible to apply, and they won’t be denied coverage no matter what pre-existing conditions they have.

Simplified and guaranteed issue life insurance are offered by some well-known insurance companies, such as Mutual of Omaha, Gerber Life, and AIG. These companies require no medical exam and, in many cases, no medical history for you to qualify. Policies are issued relatively quickly since little to no underwriting is required.

If you have a medical history that includes respiratory ailments, experienced life insurance agent Oscar Young is highly qualified to explain to you what your options are as far as coverage amounts are concerned and how soon you can get your policy. Contact Oscar today at (312) 625-0133 or visit him online at www.LiteQuote.com.