National Institutes of Environmental Health Services:
Common Indoor Air Pollutants. http://www.niehs.nih.gov/external/faq/indoor.htm
Answer: A list of common indoor air pollutants would include the following: Combustion contaminants (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, environmental tobacco smoke); Biological pollutants (animal dander, molds, dust mites, bacteria); volatile organic compounds (formaldehyde, fragrance products, pesticides, solvents, cleaning agents); heavy metals (airborne lead, mercury vapor); and Radon.
Kallenborn R, et al. Gas chromatographic determination of synthetic musk compounds in Norwegian air samples, Journal of Chromatography A, 846 (1999)
295-306
Abstract
A new method is described for the simultaneous analysis of nitro and polycyclic musks in air samples. Additional considerations are given to the aspects of sample preparation and blank problems. For the first time concentration levels of synthetic musks in selected Norwegian air samples were determined. In a preliminary investigation using ambient air samples prepared for the determination of persistent organic pollutants, musk xylene concentrations were between 8 and 19 pg/m3. A new sample preparation for the simultaneous analysis of polycyclic and nitro musks is presented. Both GC-electron impact (EI) MS and GC-negative ion chemical ionisation (NICI) MS were compared as detection methods. GC¯EI-MS is to be preferred for the determination of synthetic musks since GC¯NICI-MS is not sensitive enough for the determination for polycyclic musks.
Blank problems occurred which have to be carefully considered during the whole work-up procedure. One indoor air sample was taken in the laboratory where the clean-up of the samples took place to evaluate laboratory air contamination. A concentration for 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-cyclo[g]-2-benzopyrane of 2470 pg/m3 was found using gas chromatographic separation coupled with mass spectrometric detection in the electron impact mode (GC¯low-resolution EI-MS). A set of four ambient air samples taken nearby the institute facilities was analysed for both nitro and polycyclic musks. For polycyclic musks, concentrations up to 130 pg/m3 (GC¯EI-MS) were determined and for musk xylene a concentration maximum in ambient air samples 54 pg/m3 (low resolution EI-MS) was found. Critical considerations about laboratory contamination, clean-up and analysis of ambient air samples are given.
"The ambient air samples taken at Kjeller are in average higher contaminated than the Lista samples. In contrast to Lista, the sampling area in Kjeller is strongly influenced by a densely populated urban area, namely the Norwegian capital Oslo (the distance to the centre of Oslo is 25 km). In Lista an average concentration of 14 pg/m3 (n=10) was observed, whereas the Kjeller air average concentration was determined with 19 pg/m3 (n=3)." (pg 305)
Achieving Healthy Indoor Air: Report of the ATS Workshop: Santa Fe, New Am. J. Respir. Crit. Care Med., Volume 156, Number 3, September 1997, S33-S64 )
http://ajrccm.atsjournals.org/cgi/content/full/156/3/S33
Control of pollution sources is incomplete if the odors from the occupants are not minimized. Perfumes are among the most difficult to control since they are perceived by their users as pleasurable. Personal rights and preferences ffor perfumed products must be evaluated against the discomfort that scents cause for some people. The odoriferous materials are highly volatile synthetic chemicals; in effect, they contribute to the total VOCs. Scented personal products are not limited to perfumes; they include residual scents on clothing from detergents and fabric softeners, soaps, shampoos, deodorants, skin lotions, and cosmetics. The only successful method of control is to eliminate these odors, either by avoiding their use, as with perfumes, or by using unscented products.
US Environmental Protection Agency: Sources of Indoor Air
Pollution - Organic Gases (Volatile Organic Compound) VOCs
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html
There are few studies specifically on fragrance. However, many sources include scented products such as cosmetics and cleaners in their lists of products that contain VOCs and contribute to indoor air pollution.
Organic chemicals are widely used as ingredients in household products. Paints, varnishes, and wax all contain organic solvents, as do many cleaning, disinfecting, cosmetic, degreasing, and hobby products. Fuels are made up of organic chemicals. All of these products can release organic compounds while you are using them, and, to some degree, when they are stored.
EPA's Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) studies found levels of about a dozen common organic pollutants to be 2 to 5 times higher inside homes than outside, regardless of whether the homes were located in rural or highly industrial areas. Additional TEAM studies indicate that while people are using products containing organic chemicals, they can expose themselves and others to very high pollutant levels, and elevated concentrations can persist in the air long after the activity is completed.
Sources
Household products including: paints, paint strippers, and other solvents; wood preservatives; aerosol sprays; cleansers and disinfectants; moth repellents and air fresheners; stored fuels and automotive products; hobby supplies; dry-cleaned clothing.
Health Effects
Eye, nose, and throat irritation; headaches, loss of coordination, nausea; damage to liver, kidney, and central nervous system. Some organics can cause cancer in animals; some are suspected or known to cause cancer in humans.
The ability of organic chemicals to cause health effects varies greatly from those that are highly toxic, to those with no known health effect. As with other pollutants, the extent and nature of the health effect will depend on many factors including level of exposure and length of time exposed. Eye and respiratory tract irritation, headaches, dizziness, visual disorders, and memory impairment are among the immediate symptoms that some people have experienced soon after exposure to some organics. At present, not much is known about what health effects occur from the levels of organics usually found in homes. Many organic compounds are known to cause cancer in animals; some are suspected of causing, or are known to cause, cancer in humans.
Environ Sci Technol 2002 Aug 1;36(15):3295-302
Indoor hydrogen peroxide derived from ozone/d-limonene reactions.
Li TH, Turpin BJ, Shields HC, Weschler CJ.
Department of Environmental Sciences and Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Rutgers
University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, USA.
In this pilot study, performed in an office manipulated to resemble an
environment with a strong indoor ozone source or a significant influx of outdoor
air during a smog event, reactions between ozone and d-limonene produced
hydroperoxides. Hydrogen peroxide (H202) presumably constituted the majority of
the measured hydroperoxides, although a small amount of organic hydroperoxides (ROOH)
may have contributed to the signal. Total hydroperoxides were 1.0-1.5 ppb at low
air exchange rates (0.5-4 h(-1)) and 0.6-0.8 ppb at high air exchange rates
(12-18 h-1). The net estimated yield ranged from 1.5 to 3.2%, consistent with
values reported in the literature. Based on these yields and typical indoor
scenarios, peak indoor concentrations of H202 are projected to be comparable
with, but not significantly larger than, peak outdoor concentrations.
Hygroscopic secondary organic aerosols (SOA; 10-100 microg m(-3)) were
simultaneously generated by the ozone/d-limonene reactions; their co-occurrence
with H202 provides a mechanism whereby H2O2 can be transported into the lower
respiratory tract. The results demonstrate that reduced air exchange rates lead
to increased concentrations of H2O2 and SOA as well as a shift in the
size-distribution toward larger particles (0.3-0.7 microm diameter), potentially
increasing the amount of H2O2 delivered to the lower respiratory region. This
study increases our understanding of H2O2 exposures, including exposures to H2O2
associated with co-occurring hygroscopic aerosols. It also re-emphasizes the
potential of ozone-driven chemistry to alter indoor environments, often
producing products more irritating than their precursors.
Nitro musks in fragrance products: an update of FDA findings. (includes related article on self-regulation by the fragrances industry) Cosmetics and Toiletries June 1996; (v111 n6) Start Page: p73(4) ISSN: 0361-4387; Wisneski, Harris S., Havery, Donald C.
RELATED ARTICLE: Self-Regulation
Because the U.S. government provides no pre-market approval process for the use of fragrance materials in cosmetic products, the fragrance industry has established a program of self-regulation to address safety. This program is implemented by the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) and the International Fragrance Association (IFRA).
FDA AUTHORITY OVER COSMETICS
FDA is only able to regulate cosmetics after products are released to the marketplace. Neither cosmetic products nor cosmetic ingredients are reviewed or approved by FDA before they are sold to the public.
FDA cannot require companies to do safety testing of their cosmetic products before marketing. If, however, the safety of a cosmetic product has not been substantiated, the product's label must read
"WARNING: The safety of this product has not been determined."
FDA does not have the authority to require manufacturers to register their cosmetic establishments, file data on ingredients, or report cosmetic-related injuries. To keep abreast of such information, FDA maintains a voluntary data collection program. Cosmetic companies that wish to participate in the program forward data to FDA.
Recalls are voluntary actions taken by the cosmetic industry to call back products that present a hazard or that are somehow defective. FDA is not permitted to require recalls of cosmetics but does monitor companies that conduct a product recall. If FDA wishes to remove a cosmetic product from the market, it must first prove in a court of law that the product may be injurious to users, improperly labeled, or otherwise violates the law.
FDA collects cosmetic product samples as part of its plant inspections, import inspections, and follow-ups to complaints of adverse reactions. The agency does not, however, function as a private testing laboratory. FDA is prohibited from recommending private laboratories to consumers for sample analysis. Consumers may consult their local phone directory for testing laboratories.
FDA can inspect cosmetics manufacturing facilities, collect samples for examination, and take action through the Department of Justice to remove adulterated and misbranded cosmetics from the market. Domestic and foreign manufacturers must follow the same regulations. Foreign products that appear to be adulterated or misbranded may be refused entry into the United States.
FDA Petition 99P-1340 asks that the FDA enforce the requirement for a warning label on products in which the safety of the ingredients and the final product has not been substantiated. In spite of the fact the safety of many fragrance chemicals have not been substantiated, the FDA has not taken any action to enforce the law.