The air your parrot breathes
The respiratory system of birds (and therefore of psittacidae) is complex and adapted to its elevated metabolic needs and its flying abilities. A bird’s breathing rhythm is also fast
(>70 cycles per minute).
Respiratory System
A parrot is naturally very sensitive to different pollutants found in the atmosphere. Pollution does not exist exclusively outside its habitat: the air in apartments and in individual homes is often highly polluted.
Various household products and tobacco release into the house’s atmosphere many products that are potentially toxic and irritant to your bird’s respiratory tracts.
The use of vaporising products (waxes, dusters, etc.) release into the home a number of volatile, toxic, irritant and/or allergenic compounds, some of which accumulate progressively in the body.
When heated, kitchen utensils with a Teflon anti-adhesive coating have a very high degree of toxicity. The risk of immediate death for your bird is high.
Furthermore, glues from modern furniture (in particular those bought in large specialised stores) emit vapours over many (at least 10) years. Even a fine old piece of waxed family furniture emits compounds that are irritant and toxic to respiratory tracts.
1) Main compounds
The main irritant, allergenic or toxic compounds can be volatile organic compounds or aldehydes.
Volatile organic compounds:
a) Chlorinated derivatives which decompose slowly such as trichloroethylene, dichlorobenzene, anti-moth products and toilet disinfectants.
b) Glycol ethers contained for example in a number of paints and varnishes.
c) Aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons such as waxes, polishes or certain glues.
d) Terpene derivatives such as home fragrances (so-called “interior” perfumes), deodorants and various fragrant cleaning products.
Aldehydes:
These include the well-known formaldehyde which is a compound present in pressed wood, adhesives, some cosmetics and of course tobacco that causes a high concentration of aldehydes in the ambient atmosphere.
Most of these pollutants are volatile and are also capable of binding to different porous surfaces of your home and spread gradually into "your air".
2) What measures can be taken?
The radical solution would of course be to banish all such products.
An intermediate solution is to air out the house every day of the year at least one hour per day and only use these different products in the rooms (which should also be ventilated) where your parrot does not live. Modern homes heated with electricity are highly isolated and poorly ventilated. Controlled mechanical ventilation (CMV) is in itself insufficient to "eliminate" all of these vapours.
Lastly, it is important to note that manufacturers of so-called “household” products are under no obligation to signal the presence of irritant, toxic, and/or allergenic compounds. You should not rely on a simple reading of the product labels. We feel that it is best to remain very careful and ventilate the house or apartment every day for the well-being of your pet and yourself (all while ensuring of course that your bird is protected from air drafts).