Twenty Most Common Chemicals in Thirty-one Fragrance Products
[based on EPA Study
Julia Kendall (1935 - 1997); distributed by EHN
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, in-coordination,
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).
Ten 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.
Reference: Lance Wallace, Environmental Protection Agency; Phone:
(703) 648-4287
"Identification of Polar Volatile Organic Compunds in Consumer
and Common Microenvironments,"
Paper #A312, March 1, 1991
Excerpts from "Health Hazard Information"
References: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
