Can Fragrance Cause Asthma

Last night I was working on information to put up at this site. In reviewing the European Commission's material on fragrance as skin sensitizers I found a list of 24 fragrance materials that are known skin allergens. 13 of these are common sensitizers and the other 11 are less common.

I then cross referenced the EPA's High Production Volume Chemical (HPV) list. The HPV list is a list of chemicals that are manufactured or imported into the US at 1 million pounds or more each year. Many of these materials do not have even basic toxicity data available. Industry has been asked to provide this data. The fragrance and flavors industry has agreed to provide data on 56 of the materials on the HPV list indicating there is extensive use of these materials by the industry.

Of the list of 13 most common fragrance skin allergens, 8 are on the EPA's HPV list. Of the 11 less common sensitizers, 7 are on the EPA's HPV list. This clearly indicates known skin sensitizers are widely used by the fragrance and flavors industries.

Fragrance chemicals that are allergens cause allergy by different mechanims than pollen, dander, and other protein based allergens. Fragrance chemicals bind with proteins and modify them. These modified proteins then act as allergens. Once sensitized to the materials, the only way to prevent adverse reactions is to avoid exposure. Some are so sensitive that indirect contact such as the fragrance present in the air can trigger symptoms.

It is well documented in occupational medicine that respiratory sensitization can occur with materials that bind with proteins in the airways and lungs. Once this type of sensitization occurs, ANY exposure, even very very low levels may cause symptoms. Continued exposure can cause asthma, permanent lung damage, and even death.

At present there is no focus by the industry on respiratory effects of fragrance materials. In the information sent by the industry to the EPA regarding testing on HPV chemicals, testing for respiratory effects are not included. Only one study published by the industry even addresses respiratory concerns. It was published in 1999. It is a review of studies from the late 1970s and early 1980s on areosol tests. It concludes that the products are safe. However, the formulations studied are no longer in use and do not reflect modern formulations which are often quite different.

There is one other published study that examines the potential of isoeugenol and eugenol to cause respiratory sensitization. The method used to evaluate these materials had not yet been validated. The study suggested that isoeugenol and eugenol are not respiratory sensitizers and can be used as negative controls in future testing. These results are further supported in that there is little evidence of occupational allergy to these materials. Isoeugenol and eugenol are not on the EPA's HPV list.

There is evidence that those that work in occupational settings in the perfume industry do experience higher rates of occupational asthma. There has been no determination of the materials involved. There are over 3000 materials in use by the fragrance industry. Less than half have been evaluated for skin effects. The vast majority have no respiratory data available other than to note they are irritants.

There is obvious respiratory exposure to scented products. Formulas are composed of volatile compounds designed to rapidly enter the air and linger. While exposure from one product is relatively small, there are volatiles from literally hundreds of products present in public spaces. A little of each product ends up in the air wherever the user goes. Multiple this times each person that travels through the area and add the fragrance from use of scented cleaners, air fresheners and other products that are scented. The exposure is constant and at significant levels.

There are other indications that suggest fragrance may be involved in the rising asthma rates.

1. Asthma rates started increasing in the 1970s, it was at this time fragrance went from special occassion use to daily wear

2. Use of fragrance crosses all demographic, social, and economic lines as does asthma

3.There is higher incidence and mortality from asthma in blacks, this segment of the population is more likely to use scented products more often

5. Exposure to fragrance starts even before birth (some materials cross placental barrier) and children are exposed not only from products designed for use on them, but also to all the scented products used by others in the household. There is exposure to all age groups.

I am not proposing that fragrance is the only factor in the increase in asthma rates, just that it has thus far been overlooked and needs to be assessed.