Papier d'Arménie
Encyclopedia
Papier d'Arménie, or Armenian Paper, is a room deodorizing product sold as booklets of twelve sheets of paper each cut into three pieces, which are coated with benzoin resin
, the dried sap of styrax
trees.
as a fragrance and to disinfect a room. M. Ponsot adopted this habit with the help of the pharmacist Henri Rivier, whereby benzoin resin was dissolved in alcohol, then infused onto a blotting paper support. The "alchemy" inherent in Papier d'Arménie became a huge success with the emerging importance of hygiene from 1888–1889, and has been steadily produced in Montrouge
, France since 1885.
Today Papier d'Arménie is sold primarily as a form of incense or perfume, or as a form of air freshener; strips tucked between the books of a library will keep the air from turning stale for much longer than a conventional product. Papier d'Arménie is also effective at combating the smell of cigarette smoke and the that of animals. Though it is not as harmful to the environment as commercial aerosols, it is recommended that only one strip be burned at a time.
and formaldehyde
in a study of interior deodorizers conducted by a consumer's union. However the same study shows that of the 72 products tested, Papier d'Arménie presented the lowest rates. Normal use does not present a hazard; it is typical to burn 3 or 4 strips per week, and to air the area regularly.
Benzoin resin
Benzoin resin or styrax resin is a balsamic resin obtained from the bark of several species of trees in the genus Styrax. It is used in perfumes, some kinds of incense, as a flavoring, and medicine . Its principal component is benzoic acid...
, the dried sap of styrax
Styrax
Styrax is a genus of about 130 species of large shrubs or small trees in the family Styracaceae, mostly native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the majority in eastern and southeastern Asia, but also crossing the equator in South America...
trees.
History
At the end of the 19th century, Auguste Ponsot discovered that Armenian households would burn StyraxStyrax
Styrax is a genus of about 130 species of large shrubs or small trees in the family Styracaceae, mostly native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere, with the majority in eastern and southeastern Asia, but also crossing the equator in South America...
as a fragrance and to disinfect a room. M. Ponsot adopted this habit with the help of the pharmacist Henri Rivier, whereby benzoin resin was dissolved in alcohol, then infused onto a blotting paper support. The "alchemy" inherent in Papier d'Arménie became a huge success with the emerging importance of hygiene from 1888–1889, and has been steadily produced in Montrouge
Montrouge
Montrouge is a commune in the southern Parisian suburbs, located from the center of Paris, France. It is one of the most densely populated municipalities in Europe...
, France since 1885.
Use
Typically, a strip of Papier d'Arménie is torn from the booklet, folded accordion-style, and placed on a heat-resistant support. The strip is lit and blown on until the paper begins to glow and release the vanilla scent characteristic of resin compounds. The smell is pleasant and subtle, underscoring its primary use as a "purifier". This belief began with the practice of burning Papier d'Arménie on a bell set above a piece of raw meat, which would not rot by the end of a week (as normal meat almost certainly would).Today Papier d'Arménie is sold primarily as a form of incense or perfume, or as a form of air freshener; strips tucked between the books of a library will keep the air from turning stale for much longer than a conventional product. Papier d'Arménie is also effective at combating the smell of cigarette smoke and the that of animals. Though it is not as harmful to the environment as commercial aerosols, it is recommended that only one strip be burned at a time.
Controversy
Papier d'Arménie has been found to release benzeneBenzene
Benzene is an organic chemical compound. It is composed of 6 carbon atoms in a ring, with 1 hydrogen atom attached to each carbon atom, with the molecular formula C6H6....
and formaldehyde
Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is an organic compound with the formula CH2O. It is the simplest aldehyde, hence its systematic name methanal.Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a characteristic pungent odor. It is an important precursor to many other chemical compounds, especially for polymers...
in a study of interior deodorizers conducted by a consumer's union. However the same study shows that of the 72 products tested, Papier d'Arménie presented the lowest rates. Normal use does not present a hazard; it is typical to burn 3 or 4 strips per week, and to air the area regularly.