A number of years later I began working in the floral industry. I remember the first time I worked with fresh freesia. I thought, "Oh no, I'm allergic to freesia, I'm going to get a migraine." To my delight I had no adverse side-effects from working with fresh freesia. In fact, to this day, fresh freesia is one of my favorite scents. It's peppery aroma is like none other!
Now that I'm a more savvy consumer I know why that perfume, and many other scented products produce immediate migraine attacks and nausea for me and so many others. It can be found in the ingredients lingering behind the seemingly innocuous term "fragrance" listed on the labels of our favorite personal care, cleaning, and household products. Do you read labels? Have you ever wondered what the term "fragrance" really means?
In the United State "fragrance" is a protected trade secret meaning that manufactures are not required to disclose the individual ingredients used to produce their signature fragrances. I'm a business person and I can appreciate the desire to protect one's brand...to an extent. At the expense of consumer health...no way!
The Committee on Science & Technology says that 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic, petroleum-based compounds. The following list comes from a 1991 EPA Study "Identification of Polar Volatile Organic Compounds in Consumer Products and Common Microenvironments"
The report can be read here.
So, here's the list with some additional information compiled by HollisticHealth.net
Twenty Most Common Chemicals Found
in Thirty One
Fragrance Products
1991 EPA Study, Identification of Polar Volatile Organic Compounds in
Consumer Products and Common MicroenvironmentsReference: Lance Wallace, Environmental Protection Agency,
Excerpts from “Health Hazard Information,” compiled by Julia Kendall (1935-1997) References: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Principal chemicals found in scented products are—
ACETONE-In cologne, dishwashing liquid, detergent, and nail enamel remover—On the 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.”
BENZALDEHYDE-In perfume, cologne, hair spray, 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.”
BENZYL ACETATE –In perfume, cologne, shampoo, fabric softener, stick up air freshener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap, harispray, bleach, after shave, deodorants)—Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer) “From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough” “In mice hyperaemia of the lungs. ”Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects.” ( Do not flush)
BENZYL ALCHOL –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.”
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.”
ETHANOL-In perfume, hairspray, shampoo, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, laundry detergent, shaving cream, soap, Vaseline lotion, air fresheners, nail color and remover, pain and varnish remover. On EPA Hazardous Waster 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. Cause CNS disorder.”
ETHYL ACETATE- In aftershave, 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. Deg=fatting effect on skin and may cause drying and cracking.” “May cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys.”
LIMONENE- In perfume, cologne, disenfectant 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 was thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking or applying cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor”.
LINALOOL- In perfume, cologne, bar soap, shampoo, hand lotion, nail enamel remover, hairspray, laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, Vaseline lotion, air fresheners, bleach powder, fabric softener, shaving cream, after shave, solid deodorant. Narcotic, “respiratory disturbances. Attracts bees. In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression, development of respiratory disturbances leading to death, depressed frog hear activity. Causes CNS disorder.”
METHYLENE CHLORIDE- In shampoo, cologne, paint and varnish remover. Banned by the FDA in1988. No enforcement possible due to trade secret laws protecting chemical fragrance industry. On EPA, RCRA, CERCLA Hazardous waste lists. “Carcinogenic, absorbed, stored in body fat, it metabolizes to carbon monoxide, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. Headache, giddiness, stupor, irritability, fatigue, tingling in the limbs. Causes CNS disorder.”
a-PINENE- In bar liquid soap, cologne, perfume, shaving cream, deodorants, dishwashing liquid, air freshener. “Sensitizer, damaging to the immune system.”
a-TERPINENE- In cologne, perfume, soap, shaving cream, deodorant, air freshener. Causes asthma and CNS disorders.
a-TERPINEOL- In perfume, cologne, laundry detergent, bleach powder, laundry bleach, fabric softener, stickup air freshener, Vaseline lotion, cologne, soap, hairspray, after shave, roll on deodorant. “Highly irritating to mucous membranes. Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal edema”. “Can also cause excitement, atzxia (loss of muscular coordination, hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression and headache. Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact.”
A dear friend of mine who works with animals told me recently that the dangers of fragrance have long been known by bird owners. She went on to describe how parrots and other birds can die from chemical exposure as a result of scented candles and air fresheners used in the home.
Easy to do on your own:
- Keep plants in your home!
- Grow flowers and herbs to use in your home!
- Enjoy fresh flowers on the table!
- Keep a decorative bowl or jar of fresh coffee beans on your counter or table...give it a stir every day to release the scent!
- Simmer cinnamon sticks and orange rinds on the stove!
- Put a few drops of your favorite NATURAL essential oil in a spray bottle of water. Voila! Your own air and fabric freshener!
- Open your windows and let the fresh air in!
- Use baking soda to absorb unwanted household odors!
- Make home-cooked meals...nothing smells better!
- Make your own soy candles with NATURAL essential oils like lavender, sweet orange, and eucalyptus.
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