What Dangers Can Perfumes & Other Fragrances Pose to your Health?

What Dangers Can Perfumes & Other Fragrances Pose to Your Health?
by SixWise.com

http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/09/28/perfumes.htm

We have all been there. You are in a movie theater, on an airplane or
in some other closed quarters that, for whatever reason, you are
required to remain in. Then in walks that man or woman wearing way
too much of the strongest -- and usually worst smelling -- cologne or
perfume. Of course, they usually sit right next to you.

At best, this is an annoyance. But especially for those with chemical
sensitivities, and also for everyone else, perfumes, colognes and
other fragrances can actually harm your health.

The chemicals in your favorite fragrance may be making your friends,
coworkers and family sick.

What are Fragrances Made Of?

About 95 percent of the chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic,
petroleum-based compounds. For people with allergies or multiple
chemical sensitivity (MCS), these chemicals can lead to allergic
reactions like sneezing, itchy watery eyes, wheezing and headaches.

Other health conditions that can be exacerbated by fragrances,
according to Tracie DeFreilas Saab, M.S., author of a comprehensive
discussion, "Individuals with Fragrance Sensitivity," include asthma,
environmental illness (EI) and migraines.

But that doesn't mean the rest of us aren't affected. An
investigation into fragrances, perfumes and colognes by the
Environmental Working Group (EWG) found several areas of concern:

* 16 percent of the products they reviewed contained ingredients that
may cause cancer

* 5 percent may contain harmful impurities linked to cancer or other
health problems

* 18 percent contained penetration enhancers that increase exposures
to carcinogens and other ingredients of concern

* 98 percent of products contained ingredients not assessed for
safety in cosmetics or with insufficient data

* 76 percent contained ingredients that are allergens

* 13 percent of products posed other potential health concerns

Fragrances in the Workplace

The office is an example of closed quarters that you have no choice
but to spend significant amounts of time in. Increasing numbers of
employees are voicing their dissatisfaction with other employees'
irritating fragrances, and employers are facing the difficult
decision of whether to implement a fragrance-free office.

Says DeFreilas Saab, employees with fragrance sensitivities may have
the following symptoms:

Headaches
Nausea
Difficulty breathing
Hoarse voice or loss of voice
Difficulty concentrating
Tingling of the lips and skin
Muscle and joint pain

However, enforcing a truly fragrance-free work environment is a
difficult task because so many products -- from fabric softeners and
dryer sheets to soaps to shampoos -- contain them. Those who have
tried say a voluntary fragrance-free program works better than a
mandatory one.

For people who are sensitive, fragrances are more than just a bad
smell. They can lead to headaches, nausea, difficulty breathing and
more.

The Maine Department of Labor, for instance, recently adopted a
voluntary fragrance-free policy for employees and visitors. "We want
to educate our workforce and clients about the real effect chemicals
and fragrances can have on individuals with sensitivities. Many
people are unaware that the scents they use can actually make another
person ill," they said.

Ingredients of Concern

According to the EWG, the following ingredients are the most harmful
ones to watch out for:

Butylated Hydroxytoluene: Cancer, Allergies & Other Health Concerns
Propylene Glycol: Penetration Enhancer, Allergies & Other Health
Concerns
Methylparaben: Allergies & Other Health Concerns
Tetrasodium EDTA: Penetration Enhancer, Allergies & Other Health
Concerns
Propylparaben: Allergies & Other Health Concerns

PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate: Harmful Impurities, Penetration Enhancer,
Allergies & Other Health Concerns
Diazolidinyl Urea: Harmful Impurities, Allergies & Other Health
Concerns
Tocopheryl Acetate: Harmful Impurities, Allergies & Other Health
Concerns
Octyl Methoxycinnamate: Penetration Enhancer, Allergies & Other
Health Concerns
Octyl Salicylate: Penetration Enhancer, Allergies & Other Health
Concerns
Disodium EDTA: Penetration Enhancer, Allergies & Other Health
Concerns
Polyquaternium-10: Harmful Impurities, Allergies & Other Health
Concerns
Ceteareth-12: Safety Violations, Harmful Impurities, Penetration
Enhancer, Allergies & Other Health Concerns
Ceteareth-20: Safety Violations, Harmful Impurities, Penetration
Enhancer, Allergies & Other Health Concerns
Triethanolamine: Cancer, Allergies & Other Health Concerns

Benzophenone-3: Allergies & Other Health Concerns
Sodium Laureth Sulfate: Penetration Enhancer, Allergies & Other
Health Concerns
Lactic Acid: Safety Violations, Allergies & Other Health Concerns
Benzyl Alcohol: Allergies & Other Health Concerns
Ethylparaben: Allergies & Other Health Concerns

What to do if Fragrances Bother You

If you notice that you feel ill when exposed to fragrances, you're
probably better off seeking out fragrance-free varieties of all your
personal care items, or at least choosing products that don't contain
synthetic fragrance. Check out our safe skin care page for a variety
of skin care items that don't contain synthetic fragrances or
additives.

Also, let your family members, coworkers and other people you see on
a daily basis (and who wear fragrance that makes you feel ill) know
that the chemicals in their perfume/cologne, etc. have this effect on
you. Most people will understand and refrain from using the product
around you -- but be prepared to stand your ground if someone insists
that they must wear their favorite fragrance.

Recommended Reading

Warning: Certain Smells May Make You a Dangerous Driver (Really!)
http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/06/29/driving.htm

The Toxic Chemicals Most Linked to Depression
http://www.sixwise.com/newsletters/05/06/15/depression.htm

Sources

Environmental Working Group Skin Deep Report
http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep/category.php?ewg_cat=Fragrance/Perfume/Cologne

Business and Local Reports: Your Cologne is Making Me Sick!
http://hr.blr.com/display.cfm/id/10850

Fragrance Sensitivity
http://allergies.about.com/cs/fragrances/a/aa022299_2.htm