There are two big problems with fragrances: firstly, fragrances contain highly toxic chemicals that affect everyone. Secondly, anyone who may be sensitive to fragrances and/or chemicals can have related health problems. An environment free from fragrances would benefit everyone, but it has now become a necessity for those people who are chemically sensitive.

More than 5,000 different fragrances are used in cosmetics and skin care products, and of these 5,000, around 95% are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other known toxins and sensitizers – capable of causing allergic reactions, central nervous system disorders, cancer and even birth defects. Have you ever noticed that perfumes do not tend to come in plastic bottles? That’s because some of the chemicals used in their making will actually dissolve the plastic!

The commonest cause of Allergic Contact Dermatitis (ACD) is fragrance. But fragrances can enter our bodies not only through the skin by absorption but also through the nose by inhalation and the mouth by ingestion. This in turn means that the lungs, eyes and brain can also be affected. What is also very frightening is that children may be even more susceptible to the effects of fragrances – because of their smaller size, their higher respiratory rate and their thinner skin.

Fragrances are now used in almost every cleaning, laundry and personal care product on the market, and since fragrance formulas are considered to be trade secrets, manufacturers only have to state ‘fragrance’ on the label without identifying the chemical make-up of that fragrance.

And don’t be misled by what the packaging says!!! The terms ‘unscented’ and ‘scent free’ do not mean the same as ‘fragrance free’. Some unscented products might contain a fragrance to mask and or neutralise underlying chemical odours!! To indicate that no fragrance is added to a product it must be labelled as ‘fragrance free’ or ‘without perfume’.

It should be noted that essential oils are also fragrances that are added to products to make them smell nice. These oils are concentrated natural chemicals (and that’s assuming that a synthetic alternative has not been used) extracted from plants and as such some sensitive people can react to them.

The only safe assumption about scented products is that they all contain numerous toxic chemicals that constantly vaporize into the air and attach themselves to the hair, clothing and surroundings of anyone who wears them. Scents pass through cardboard, so enough scent has to be added to the products to compensate for what is lost while it sits on the shelf – this loss is the characteristic scent of the detergent aisle! And note that a scent free product can also pick up the scent from nearby products!





THE SKIN
The number one cause of adverse skin reactions to cosmetics and laundry products is fragrance. The body can react in many ways to this reaction – on the skin these fragrance chemicals can produce contact urticaria (hives), rashes, dermatitis, eczema or photo dermatitis.

But other symptoms can range from the mild, including watery eyes, nausea, sore throat, cough and chest tightness, to the severe, including seizures, incoherence, fatigue, irregular heartbeat and even anaphylaxis.


THE NOSE AND LUNGS
Shortness of breath and asthma-like symptoms can be caused by fragrances – this is because most fragrance chemicals consist of volatile organic compounds that are known respiratory irritants.

When you wear scented products you breathe in those chemicals all day long, and just because you can’t smell the product after a while doesn’t mean that it’s worn off, it’s just that your nose is worn out and has shut down in self-protection!! But that doesn’t stop the chemicals from continuing to enter your body through your lungs and skin.


THE BRAIN AND CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM (CNS)
Inhaling fragrances can cause circulatory changes and electrical activity in the brain. These changes can trigger migraine headaches, the inability to concentrate, dizziness and fatigue. This therefore affects the CNS causing depression, hyperactivity, irritability, inability to cope and other behavioural changes.


CHEMICALS USED IN FRAGRANCED PRODUCTS
ACETONE – found in cologne, dishwashing liquid and detergent, nail polish remover. On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous Waste lists “Inhalation can cause dryness of the mouth and throat; dizziness, nausea, in coordination, slurred speech, drowsiness…” “Acts primarily as a central nervous system depressant.” It is also an irritant to the eyes, nose, throat and skin.

BENZALDEHYDE – found in perfume, cologne, hairspray, laundry bleach, deodorants, detergent, shaving cream, shampoo, bar soap, dishwasher detergent. This is both a narcotic and a sensitiser. “Local anaesthetic, central nervous system depressant…irritation to the mouth, throat, eyes, skin, lungs and GI tract, causing nausea and abdominal pain…may cause kidney damage”

BENZYL ACETATE – found in perfume, cologne, shampoo, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap, hairspray, bleach, after shave, deodorants. This is a carcinogenic linked to pancreatic cancer. “From vapours: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough” “Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects”

BENZYL ALCOHOL – found in perfumes, cologne, soap, shampoo, nail polish remover, air freshener, laundry bleach and detergent, body lotions, deodorants, fabric softener. “irritating to the upper respiratory tract, skin, eyes and mucous membranes….causing headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, central nervous system depression”

CAMPHOR – found in some perfumes, shaving creams, nail polish, fabric softeners, dishwasher detergents, stickup air fresheners. “local irritant and central nervous system depression….readily absorbed through body tissues….irritation of eyes, nose and throat….dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions”

ETHANOL – found in some perfumes, hairspray, shampoo, fabric softener, dishwasher liquid and detergent, laundry detergent, shaving cream, soap, body lotions, air fresheners, nail polish and remover, paint and varnish removers. On EPA Hazardous Waste list; symptoms: “….fatigue; irritating to eyes and upper respiratory tract even in low concentrations….Inhalation of ethanol vapours can have effects similar to those characteristic of ingestion.” Causes central nervous system disorders.

ETHYL ACETATE – found in some aftershaves, colognes, perfumes, shampoos, nail polish and removers, fabric softeners and dishwashing liquid. A narcotic. On EPA Hazardous Waste list “….irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract….may cause headache and narcosis….defatting effect on the skin and may cause drying and cracking….may cause anaemia and damage to liver and kidneys.

LIMONENE – found in some perfumes, colognes, disinfectant sprays, bar soaps, shaving creams, deodorants, nail colour and removers, fabric softeners, dishwashing liquid, air fresheners, after shaves, bleach, paint and varnish remover. A carcinogenic – “Prevent contact with the skin because it is an irritant and sensitizer.” Its vapour can irritate the eyes, mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract. It can also cause an allergic skin reaction.

LINALOOL – found in some perfumes, colognes, bar soaps, shampoo, hand lotion, nail polish remover, hairspray, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, body lotions, air fresheners, bleach powder, fabric softeners, shaving cream, after shave, solid deodorant. A narcotic causing “respiratory disturbances” also causes central nervous system disorders.

alpha-PINENE – found in some bar and liquid soaps, cologne, perfume, shaving cream, deodorants, dishwashing liquid, air freshener. Sensitizer, damaging to the immune system and can be a moderate irritant to the skin, eyes and mucus membranes.

g-TERPINENE – found in some cologne, perfume, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, air freshener. Causes asthma and central nervous system disorders.

a-TERPINEOL – found in perfume, cologne, laundry detergent, bleach powder, laundry bleach, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, soap, hairspray, aftershave, roll-on deodorant. “highly irritating to mucous membranes….aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal oedema.” Can also cause “excitement, ataxia, hypothermia, central nervous system or respiratory depression and headaches.” “Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact”

TRICLOSAN – registered with the EPA as a pesticide. It is classified as a chlorophenol, a class of chemicals suspected of causing cancer in humans. It is stored in the body fat where it can accumulate to toxic levels, damaging the liver, kidneys and lungs and can cause paralysis suppression of immune function, brain haemorrhages and heart problems. It is widely used in antibacterial cleansers, toothpastes and mouthwashes.



x