The Health Risks of Twenty Most Common Chemicals Found in Thirty-One Fragrance P

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The Health Risks of Twenty Most Common Chemicals Found in Thirty-One

Fragrance Products _http://www.herc.org/news/perfume/risks.htm_

(http://www.herc.org/news/perfume/risks.htm)

Compiled by the late Julia Kendall, Co-Chair, Citizens for a Toxic-Free

Marin

 

Reference: Lance Wallace, Environmental Protection Agency; Phone: (703)

341-7509

Excerpts from " Health Hazard Information "

References: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Principal chemicals found in scented products are:

ACETONE (in: cologne, dishwashing liquid and detergent, nail enamel remover)

- On 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, hairspray, 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, stickup air

freshener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, soap, hairspray, bleach, after

shave, deodorants) - Carcinogenic (linked to pancreatic cancer); " From vapors:

irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough. " " In mice:

hyperanemia of the lungs. " " Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic

effects. " " Do not flush to sewer. "

BENZYL ALCOHOL (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 " " Avoid inhalation of vapors. "

ETHANOL (in: perfume, hairspray, shampoo, fabric softener, dishwashing

liquid and detergent, laundry detergent, shaving cream, soap, vaseline lotion,

air

fresheners, nail color and remover, paint and varnish remover) - On EPA

Hazardous Waste 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... " Causes CNS disorder.

ETHYL ACETATE (in: after shave, 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) " ... " defatting effect on skin and may

cause drying and cracking " ... " may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to

liver and kidneys " " Wash thoroughly after handling. "

LIMONENE (in: perfume, cologne, disinfectant 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 wash thoroughly after using this material and before

eating,

drinking, ...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-heart activity. " Causes CNS disorder.

METHYLENE CHLORIDE (in: shampoo, cologne, paint and varnish remover) - Banned

by the FDA in 1988! 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 and liquid soap, cologne, perfume, shaving cream,

deodorants, dishwashing liquid, air freshener) - Sensitizer (damaging to the

immune

system).

g-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, ataxia (loss of muscular

coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache. "

" Prevent

repeated or prolonged skin contact. "

Unable to secure MSDS for the following chemicals: 1,8-CINEOLE;

b-CITRONELLOL; b-MYRCENE; NEROL; OCIMENE; b-PHENETHYL ALCOHOL; a-TERPINOLENE

Relevant Facts:

* 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived

from petroleum. They include benzene derivatives, aldehydes and many other

known toxics and sensitizers - capable of causing cancer, birth defects,

central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions. Neurotoxins: At Home

and

the Workplace, Report by the Committee on Science & Technology, U.S. House of

Representatives, Sept. 16, 1986. (Report 99-827)

* Central Nervous System disorders (brain and spine) include Multiple

Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Sudden Infant Death

Syndrome.

* Chloroform was found in tests of fabric softeners: EPA's 1991 study.

* A room containing an air freshener had high levels of

p-dichlorobenzene (a carcinogen) and ethanol: EPA's 1991 study.

* An FDA analysis (1968-1972) of 138 compounds used in cosmetics that

most frequently involved adverse reactions, identified five chemicals

(alpha-terpineol, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, limonene and linalool) that

are

among the 20 most commonly used in the 31 fragrance products tested by the EPA

in 1991!

* Thirty-three million Americans suffer from sinusitis (inflammation

or infection of sinus passages).

* Twelve million Americans have asthma. Asthma and asthma deaths have

increased over 30% in the past 10 years.

* Headaches cost $50 billion in lost productivity and medical expenses

and 157 million lost work days in 1991. " Focus on Fragrance and Health, " by

Louise Kosta, The Human Ecologist, Fall 1992.