y Design).
Up to 72% of asthmatics report their asthma is triggered by fragrance. Asthmatics and others that are
negatively impacted by fragrance often have difficulties working, obtaining medical care, and going
about activities of daily living because of others' use of scented products (FPINVA).
Approximately 12.6% of the population suffers from multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), a condition in
which they experience reactions from exposure to low concentrations of common chemicals
(Adams)
[MCS is] marked by multiple symptoms in multiple organ systems (usually the neurological, immune,
respiratory, skin, GI, and/or musculoskeletal) that recur chronic-ally in response to multiple chemical
exposures. MCS Symptoms commonly include difficulty breathing, sleeping and/or concentrating,
memory loss, migraines, nausea, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, aching joints and muscles, and
irritated eyes, nose, ears, throat and/or skin. In addition, some with MCS show impaired balance and
increased sensitivity not just to odors but also to loud noises, bright lights, touch, extremes of heat and
cold, and electromagnetic fields (MCRR).
[It is estimated that ] more than 5.2 million [with MCS] may lose jobs as a result (Adams).
For the average person, breathing in fragrances from perfumes, colognes, hair sprays, deodorants,
air fresheners and/or cleaners can just be a little annoying, but for a growing number of others,
these smells, called emissions of volatile organic compounds, can be a form of torment that throws
their bodies into reactive overdrive. One whiff of a chemical cocktail...can result in a vast array of
debilitating symptoms (Ephraim).
Even if the general population isnt likely to suffer acute effects from exposure to fragrances, there
are long-term chronic health effects connected to these chemicals that we dont fully understand yet,
says [Carrie] Loewenherz [an industrial hygienist for the New York Committee for Occupational Safety
and Health] (Lyman).
PERFUME INFORMATION:
Perfume formulations changed sometime around the late 70s and early 80s. Today, they are
approximately 95-100% synthetic (man-made) (Pitts, Featured Author). Using crude oil or turpentine
oil as the base material, synthetics are usually derived from chemical reactions (Bridges).
Page 1 Fragrance Tidbits Flyer - The Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign
Perfumes, colognes, and many other scented products contain an abundance of harmful chemicals,
many of which are listed on the EPA's Hazardous Waste List. They also include numerous
carcinogenic chemicals, neurotoxins, respiratory irritants, solvents, aldehydes, hundreds of untested
and unregulated petrochemicals, phthalates (which can act as hormone disrupters), narcotics, and
much more (Pitts, Featured).
By design, fragrances are composed of materials that quickly get into the air. Once in the air, these
materials pose serious health concerns for many with asthma, allergies, migraines, chronic lung
disease, and other health conditions (FPINVA, By Design).
Approximately 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from
petroleum (USHR).
Petroleum based chemicals are being found to cause significant attritional effects to the nervous
system and immune system after prolonged exposure. Illnesses identified in the medical research
include adult and child cancers, numerous neurological disorders, immune system weakening,
autoimmune disorders, asthma, allergies, infertility, miscarriage, and child behavior disorders including
learning disabilities, mental retardation, hyperactivity and ADD (attention deficit disorders) (Pressinger
and Sinclair).
[In 1991 a study performed by the EPA] Identification of Polar Volatile Organic Compounds in
Consumer Products and Common Microenvironments, found numerous chemicals commonly used in
fragrance products, including, among others: acetone; benzaldehyde; benzyl acetate; benzyl alcohol;
camphor; ethanol; ethyl acetate; limonene; linalool; methylene chloride, one or all of which, or in
combination with one another, cause, when inhaled, central nervous system disorders, dizziness,
nausea, incoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs
and GI tract, kidney damage, headache, respiratory failure, ataxia, and fatigue, among other
symptoms and illnesses. Material Safety Data Sheets on each chemical confirm these findings
(Dewey).
FRAGRANCE REGULATIONS:
More than 80 percent of the chemical ingredients in these products have never been tested to see if
they are poisonous to humans. Some have been tested only minimally (LA).
By all accounts, the fragrance industry is primarily self-regulated. Safety tested before marketing is
not required and ingredients used in fragrance formulas do not have to be disclosed even to
regulatory agencies. In general fragrance is a very low priority among regulatory agencies and there is
little monitoring of compliance or enforcement of laws that are in place. There is a self-regulatory
system in place within the fragrance industry. Compliance with recommendations are voluntary and
rarely monitored (FPINVA, Facts and Fiction).
The fragrance industry has traditionally been a very secretive industry. For decades secrecy was
required to protect fragrance formulas from being copied by others. Fragrance formulas are
considered trade secrets and do not have to be revealed to anyone, including regulatory agencies.
The secrecy of the industry has lead to tremendous problems in terms of regulation, monitoring, and
impact on those that have problems from fragrance (FPINVA, By Design).
The Cosmetic Regulations state that within 10 days after starting to sell a product, a list of ingredients
must be provided. Fragrance is considered a specific ingredient, and no disclosure of the potentially
hundreds of chemicals within the fragrance is required (QGBS).
Page 2 Fragrance Tidbits Flyer - The Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign
INGREDIENTS IN FRAGRANCES:
NOTE: Unable to secure MSDS for the following chemicals: 1,8-CINEOLE; b-CITRONELLOL; b-MYRCENE; NEROL;
OCIMENE; b-PHENETHYL ALCOHOL; a-TERPINOLENE (OLP).
Principal chemicals found in scented products are: These 3 are Main Ones in Most products people
use everyday, shampoos, toothpastes, cleaning gels, deodorant and beauty products: COCOAMIDE
1. ACETONE (in: cologne, dishwashing liquid and
detergent, nail enamel remover) On EPA, RCRA,
CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists. "Inhalation can cause
dryness of the mouth and throat; dizziness, nausea,
incoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, and, in
severe exposures, coma." "Acts primarily as a central
nervous system (CNS) depressant."
2. BENZALDEHYDE (in: perfume, cologne, hairspray,
laundry bleach, deodorants, detergent, vaseline lotion,
shaving cream, shampoo, bar soap, dishwasher
detergent) Narcotic. Sensitizer. "Local anesthetic, CNS
depressant"... "irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin,
lungs, and GI tract, causing nausea and abdominal pain."
"May cause kidney damage." "Do not use with contact
lenses."
3. BENZYL ACETATE (in: perfume, cologne,
shampoo, fabric softener, stickup air freshener,
dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap, hairspray, bleach,
after shave, deodorants) Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic
cancer); "From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory
passages, exciting cough." "In mice: hyperanemia of the
lungs." "Can be absorbed through the skin causing
systemic effects." "Do not flush to sewer."
4. BENZYL ALCOHOL (in: perfume, cologne, soap,
shampoo, nail enamel remover, air freshener, laundry
bleach and detergent, vaseline lotion, deodorants, fabric
softener) "irritating to the upper respiratory tract"
..."headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood
pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due
to respiratory failure."
5. CAMPHOR (in: perfume, shaving cream, nail
enamel, fabric softener, dishwasher detergent, nail color,
stickup air freshener) "local irritant and CNS stimulant"
..."readily absorbed through body tissues" ..."irritation of
eyes, nose and throat" ..."dizziness, confusion, nausea,
twitching muscles and convulsions" "Avoid inhalation of
vapors."
6. ETHANOL (in: perfume, hairspray, shampoo, fabric
softener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, laundry
detergent, shaving cream, soap, vaseline lotion, air
fresheners, nail color and remover, paint and varnish
remover) On EPA Hazardous Waste list; symptoms:
"...fatigue; irritating to eyes and upper respiratory tract
even in low concentrations..." "Inhalation of ethanol
vapors can have effects similar to those characteristic of
ingestion. These include an initial stimulatory effect
followed by drowsiness, impaired vision, ataxia,
stupor..." Causes CNS disorder.
7. ETHYL ACETATE (in: after shave, cologne,
perfume, shampoo, nail color, nail enamel remover, fabric
softener, dishwashing liquid) Narcotic. On EPA
Hazardous Waste list; "...irritating to the eyes and
respiratory tract" ..."may cause headache and narcosis
(stupor)" ..."defatting effect on skin and may cause drying
and cracking" ..."may cause anemia with leukocytosis and
damage to liver and kidneys" "Wash thoroughly after
handling."
8. LIMONENE (in: perfume, cologne, disinfectant spray,
bar soap, shaving cream, deodorants, nail color and
remover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, air
fresheners, after shave, bleach, paint and varnish remover)
Carcinogenic. "Prevent its contact with skin or eyes
because it is an irritant and sensitizer." "Always wash
thoroughly after using this material and before eating,
drinking, ...applying cosmetics. Do no