SUMMARY OF SCIENTIFICALLY BASED CONCERNS ON FRAGRANCE SAFETY
1. By all accounts the fragrance industry is primarily self-regulated. Part of this self-regulation includes testing and evaluating the safety of fragrance materials.
2. Testing by the fragrance industry primarily focuses on skin effects. Individually, raw materials are tested which do not reflect actual use conditions. Present testing often fails to identify allergens found in actual use and clinical testing. Less than half of the materials in use have been tested for skin effects. Testing for respiratory, neurological, and systemic effects are not done.
3. 1-2% of the population has skin allergies to fragrances and the incidence is rising.(1) There is a direct correlation between use and development of allergy. Materials used in combinations have synergistic and modifying effects.(2,3) The only way to avoid fragrance allergens is to avoid all use of fragranced products as it is impossible to know if a particular allergen is in a product. For those that have symptoms triggered by indirect contact and airborne allergens, avoiding personal use of products is not enough. What is on surfaces and in the air can trigger symptoms.(4) For these people skin allergies can be disabling.
4. Absorption through the skin is a pathway for fragrance materials in the body.(5) Several fragrance chemicals have been found to enhance dermal absorption and to greatly facilitate the absorption of other materials into the skin.(6,7)
It is not known if these materials have a similar effect on the airways. If they do, it could help explain why fragrances are so problematic and provide a plausible explanation for the increased susceptibility to allergens such as mites, which have been around for centuries. This is an area that needs to be studied.
5. The vast majority of materials used in fragrances are respiratory irritants. There are a few that are known to be respiratory sensitizers. Most have not been evaluated for their effects on the lungs and the respiratory system. Respiratory irritants are known to make the airways more susceptible to injury and allergens, as well as trigger and exacerbate such conditions as asthma, allergies, sinus problems, and other respiratory disorders. With the increase in asthma and other respiratory disorders, reduction in exposures to irritants is essential. In addition, there are a subset of asthmatics that are specifically triggered by fragrances suggesting fragrances not only trigger asthma, they may also cause it in some cases.(8,9,10)
A recent Institute of Medicine study sponsored by the EPA put fragrances in the same category as second hand smoke as a trigger for asthma in school-age children and above.(11) This is especially significant, as there are relatively few studies on respiratory effects of fragrances. This suggests that the data that is available is strong. The study also indicates more study is needed in this area.
Fragrance materials are readily absorbed into the body via the respiratory system and once in the body can have systemic effects, which can effect other body systems.(12)
6. Migraine headaches are frequently triggered by fragrances. Fragrances are known to modify cerebral blood flow. Several common fragrance materials are known to have potent sedative effects via inhalation.(13) Recent studies suggest fragrance materials can act on the same receptors in the brain as alcohol and tobacco altering mood and function.(14) Materials that were widely used for decades in the past had severe neurotoxic properties and accumulated in body tissues.(15,16,17) In spite of this most fragrance materials have never been tested for neurological effects. Olfactory pathways provide a direct route to the brain.(18)
7. Synthetic musk compounds bioaccumulate in human tissue and are only slowly excreted. These materials are found in blood, adipose tissue, and breast milk.(19)
8. Phthalates, suspected of being hormone disrupters are used as fixatives at relatively high levels.(20)
9. Citral has been found to cause enlargement of the prostate gland in animal models and has estrogenic effects.(21)
10. Other fragrance materials are probable carcinogens.(22)
11. Several fragrance chemicals when inhaled affect the immune response of the skin.(23) The systemic and long- term effects of most fragrance materials are not known.
12. There are environmental concerns as well. Fragrances are volatile compounds and some of every fragrance product used gets into the air. Given the widespread use and sheer numbers of products used this has a serious impact on indoor air quality. Not only is indoor air impacted, outdoor air is as well. A recent in Norway found fragrance in outdoor air, even in a remote area.(24)
13. Air is not the only concern as synthetic musk compounds contaminate aquatic environments and wildlife all over the world. Wastewater treatment does not remove fragrance chemicals.(25) Many of these materials are persistent in the environment, while others act as persistent because of the constant influx of materials.(26)
There are other concerns as well, which are impossible to cover in a short amount of time and space. More information can be found at the Fragranced Products Information Network's website: http://www.ameliaww.com/fpin/fpin.htm or you can contact me personally at bcb56@ix.netcom.com
SELECTED BIBILIOGRAPHY of SCIENTIFIC BASED CONCERNS RELATED TO FRAGRANCE
SAFETY
1. FRAGRANCE ALLERGY IN CONSUMERS: A REVIEW OF THE PROBLEM ANALYSIS OF THE NEED
FOR APPROPRIATE CONSUMER INFORMATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF CONSUMER ALLERGENS:
SCCNFP/0017/98 Final December 1999
2. Johansen JD, Skov L, Volund A, Andersen K, Menne T. Allergens in combination have a synergistic effect on the elicitation response: a study of fragrance-sensitized individuals. Br J Dermatol. 1998 Aug;139(2):264-70. PMID: 9767240; UI: 99068953
3. Ford RA. Studies of the quenching phenomenon. Contact Dermatitis. 1992 Jul;27(1):60-1.. PMID: 1424601; UI: 93047926
4. Hayakawa R, Matsunaga K, Arima Y. Airborne pigmented contact dermatitis due to musk ambrette in incense. Contact Dermatitis. 1987 Feb;16(2):96-8. PMID: 3568644; UI: 87188939
5. Hawkins DR, Ford RA. Dermal absorption and disposition of musk ambrette, musk ketone and musk xylene in rats. Toxicol Lett. 1999 Dec 20;111(1-2):95-103. PMID: 10630705; UI: 20094401
6. Zhao K, Singh J. In vitro percutaneous absorption enhancement of propranolol hydrochloride through porcine epidermis by terpenes/ethanol. J Controlled Release. 1999 Dec 6;62(3):359-66. PMID: 10528073; UI: 99459174
7. Kanei N, Tamura Y, Kunieda H. Effect of Types of Perfume Compounds on the Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance Temperature. J Colloid Interface Sci. 1999 Oct 1;218(1):13-22. PMID: 10489275
8. Norback D, Bjornsson E, Janson C, Widstrom J, Boman G. Asthmatic symptoms and volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide in dwellings. Occup Environ Med. 1995 Jun;52(6):388-95.PMID: 7627316; UI: 95353437
9. Millqvist E, Lowhagen O. Placebo-controlled challenges with perfume in patients with asthma-like symptoms. Allergy. 1996 Jun;51(6):434-9. PMID: 8837670; UI: 96434746
10. Baur X, Schneider EM, Wieners D, Czuppon AB. Occupational asthma to perfume. Allergy. 1999 Dec;54(12):1334-5. PMID: 10688444; UI: 20151152
11. Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures; Committee on the Assessment of Asthma and Indoor Air, Division of Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Institute of Medicine
12. Lorig TS. EEG and ERP studies of low-level odor exposure in normal subjects. Toxicol Ind Health. 1994 Jul-Oct;10(4-5):579-86. PMID: 7778116; UI: 95296964
13. Buchbauer G, Jirovetz L, Jager W, Plank C, Dietrich H. Fragrance compounds and essential oils with sedative effects upon inhalation. J Pharm Sci. 1993 Jun;82(6):660-4. PMID: 8331544; UI: 93322933
14. Aoshima H, Hamamoto K. Potentiation of GABAA receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes by perfume and phytoncid. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 1999 Apr;63(4):743-8. PMID: 10361687; UI: 99290038
15. Spencer PS, Bischoff-Fenton MC, Moreno OM, Opdyke DL, Ford RA. Neurotoxic properties of musk ambrette. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1984 Sep 30;75(3):571-5. PMID: 6474483; UI: 84301013
16. Spencer PS, Sterman AB, Horoupian DS, Foulds MM. Neurotoxic fragrance produces ceroid and myelin disease. Science. 1979 May 11;204(4393):633-5. PMID: 432669; UI: 79159581
17. Furuhashi A, Akasaki Y, Sato M, Miyoshi K. Effects of AETT-induced neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis on learning ability in rats. Jpn J Psychiatry Neurol. 1994 Sep;48(3):645-53. PMID: 7891432; UI: 95198389
18. Hastings L, et al. Olfactory primary neurons as a route of entry for toxic agents into the CNS. Neurotoxicology. 1991; 12(4): 707-714.
19. Liebl B, Ehrenstorfer S. [Nitro-musk compounds in breast milk]. Gesundheitswesen. 1993 Oct;55(10):527-32. German. PMID: 8268706; UI: 94093258
20. Gray LE Jr. Xenoendocrine disrupters: laboratory studies on male reproductive effects. Toxicol Lett. 1998 Dec 28;102-103:331-5. Review. PMID: 10022274; UI: 99144872
21. Geldof AA, Engel C, Rao BR. Estrogenic action of commonly used fragrant agent citral induces prostatic hyperplasia. Urol Res. 1992;20(2):139-44. PMID: 1372772; UI: 92205895
22. NTP Reports: TR-491 Toxicology and Carcinogenesis Studies of Methyleugenol (CAS NO. 93-15-2) in F344/N Rats and B6C3F1 Mice (Gavage Studies)
23. Hosoi J, Tsuchiya T. Regulation of cutaneous allergic reaction by odorant inhalation. J Invest Dermatol. 2000 Mar;114(3):541-4. PMID: 10692115; UI: 20156590
24. Kallenborn R, et al. Gas chromatographic determination of synthetic musk compounds in Norwegian air samples, Journal of Chromatography A, 846 (1999) 295-306
25. Rimkus GG. Polycyclic musk fragrances in the aquatic environment. Toxicol Lett. 1999 Dec 20;111(1-2):37-56. Review. PMID: 10630702; UI: 20094398
26. Daughton CG, Ternes TA Pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the environment: agents of subtle change? Environ Health Perspect 1999 Dec;107 Suppl 6:907-38
Additional Resources
1. Millqvist E, Bengtsson U, Lowhagen O. Provocations with perfume in the eyes
induce airway symptoms in patients with sensory hyperreactivity. Allergy. 1999
May;54(5):495-9.
2. PMID: 10380782; UI: 99308489
3. Anderson RC, Anderson JH. Acute toxic effects of fragrance products. Arch Environ Health. 1998 Mar-Apr;53(2):138-46. PMID: 9577937; UI: 98237047
4. Fragrances: Beneficial and Adverse Effects; Frosch PJ, Johansen JD, White, IR: Wiley 1998
5. IFRA Code of Practice (International Fragrance Association 1997)
6. Engelstein D, Shmueli J, Bruhis S, Servadio C, Abramovici A. Citral and testosterone interactions in inducing benign and atypical prostatic hyperplasia in rats. Comp Biochem Physiol C Pharmacol Toxicol Endocrinol. 1996 Oct;115(2):169-77. PMID: 9568365; UI: 98229786
7. Muller S, Schmid P, Schlatter C. Occurrence of nitro and non-nitro benzenoid musk compounds in human adipose tissue. Chemosphere. 1996 Jul;33(1):17-28. PMID: 8680828; UI: 96290864
8. Meador JP, Stein JE, Reichert WL, Varanasi U. Bioaccumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by marine organisms. Rev Environ Contam Toxicol. 1995;143:79-165. Review. PMID: 7501868; UI: 96118717
9. Kumar P, Caradonna-Graham VM, Gupta S, Cai X, Rao PN, Thompson J. Inhalation challenge effects of perfume scent strips in patients with asthma. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 1995 Nov;75(5):429-33. PMID: 7583865; UI: 96075514
10. Scolnik M, Konichezky M, Tykochinsky G, Servadio C, Abramovici A. Immediate vasoactive effect of citral on the adolescent rat ventral prostate. Prostate. 1994 Jul;25(1):1-9. PMID: 8022706; UI: 94294277
11. RIFM 1992 Cross Reference List (Research Institute of Fragrance Materials 1992)
12. Cone JE, Shusterman D. Health effects of indoor odorants. Environ Health Perspect. 1991 Nov;95:53-9. PMID: 1821378; UI: 92331555
13. Ford RA, Api AM, Newberne PM. 90-day dermal toxicity study and neurotoxicity evaluation of nitromusks in the albino rat. Food Chem Toxicol. 1990 Jan;28(1):55-61. PMID: 2312014; UI: 90185485
14. Meynadier JM, Meynadier J, Peyron JL, Peyron L. [Clinical forms of skin manifestations in allergy to perfume]. Ann Dermatol Venereol. 1986;113(1):31-41. French. PMID: 3706986; UI: 86213586
15. Shim C, Williams MH Jr. Effect of odors in asthma. Am J Med. 1986 Jan;80(1):18-22. PMID: 3079951; UI: 86100530
16. Opdyke DL. Safety testing of fragrances: problems and implications. Clin
Toxicol. 1977;10(1):61-77. PMID: 858226; UI: 77161141
Betty Bridges, RN
Fragrance Products Information Network
http://www.fpinva.org