Yesterday I shared how so many people develop sensitivities to fragrance – and that the mysterious ingredient “fragrance” is found in most commercial products.
What is “fragrance”?
Technically speaking, “fragrance” is the combination of chemicals that give a product its unique scent.
One huge problem is that companies that manufacture cosmetics, personal care products, and cleaning products aren’t required to share what ingredients are used in their fragrances. Because of the Federal Fair Packaging and Labeling Act of 1973, fragrance recipes are considered trade secrets. A single product’s fragrance can include up to 100 different chemicals. Because consumers have no idea what is in a fragrance, even checking the ingredients label on a product isn’t helpful.
What’s even more alarming is that according to the 2010 study “Not So Sexy: The Health Risks of Secret Chemicals in Fragrance,” the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the International Fragrance Association have not reviewed the safety of many chemicals used in fragrances.
Why is “fragrance” one of the top five allergens in North America?
Because of this absence of accountability, highly allergenic chemicals are present in products – and once a person uses the product, he or she will develop or aggravate an allergic sensitivity. Allergies are affected when a personal inhales the chemicals in a fragrance or when the chemicals are directly applied to skin.
After the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics tested seventeen randomly-selected perfumes, results showed an average of ten chemical sensitizers (known to aggravate allergies) were in each product. Giorgio Armani’s Acqua Di Gio included nineteen sensitizing chemicals.
Bigger issues
Allergic sensitivities are certainly one side effect of fragrances. But another serious danger is how chemicals in fragrances affect hormones. Hormone-disrupting chemicals often are hidden in secret fragrance ingredients – these are linked to birth defects, breast cancer, prostate cancer, infertility, and thyroid problems.
The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics’ test of seventeen-randomly selected perfumes also monitored hormone disruptors. Results showed that an average of four hormone disruptors were in the products. Three perfumes tied for the dubious honor of containing the most (seven) hormone disruptors: Halle by Halle Berry, Jennifer Lopez J. Lo Glow, and Quicksilver.
What can consumers do?
Tomorrow in Accidentally Green’s Reduce, Reuse & Recycle Challenge, I’ll share ways to take care of fragrance problems in your own home.
Talk back
Do you love to smell good? Would you choose fragranced products even if it meant your health – or you’re the health of friends, family, or strangers – was negatively affected? Why or why not?
Planning to shop on Amazon.com
Today, I’m linking up with:
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