The dangers of Frangrances to your health
David Suzuki Article:
The dirt on toxic chemical in household cleaning products
Fragrance chemicals
…”More than 3000 chemicals are used in fragrance mixtures. Many are irritants and can trigger allergies, migraines, and asthma symptoms. In addition, synthetic musks used in detergents build up in the environment and can be toxic to aquatic organisms. Certain synthetic musks are also suspected endocrine disrupters that mimic or interfere with the function of hormones. Phthalates are another common fragrance ingredient in products such as laundry detergents, fabric softeners and deodorizers.
Glass cleaners and floor polishes have also been found to contain dibutyl phthalate (DBP). Phthalates are suspected endocrine disrupters associated with reproductive effects, including reduced sperm count in men.
The European Union classifies DBP as very toxic to aquatic organisms. Under the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, DBP is listed as a Chemical for Priority Action. Air fresheners contain a potpourri of fragrance chemicals, in some cases including cancer-causing benzene and formaldehyde, as well as phthalates and numerous VOCs.
Found in: most types of cleaning products.”
Health dangers of fragrance
April 17, 2010 by Sandra Pawula
…“Are you aware of the health dangers of fragrance—not just for those with chemical sensitivity, but for you too? Not for women alone, but for men as well?
A whopping 90% or more of the chemicals in synthetic fragrance are derived from PETROCHEMICALS. Yes, petrochemicals!
Very romantic, huh?
The chemicals in your fragrance can actually make another person go into anaphylactic shock, trigger a painful migraine, set off an asthma or allergy attack, cause any number of other symptoms, and also contribute to chronic ill health.
By the time you realize that repeated exposure to the low levels of chemicals contained in fragrance are triggering symptoms for you too; it’s a bit late to turn back the clock.
The overwhelming majority of these chemicals have not been tested for safety.”
From Old Man Murray’s Website
Synthetic Fragrances Pose Health Risks
…“Are your favorite scented products harmful to your health?
If you use products with synthetic fragrances, the answer is almost certainly yes.
From home cleaning products to personal care items, there are dangerous chemicals the average consumer is exposed to every day without their knowledge.
How can that be? Aren't there consumer laws in place to protect the public from dangerous products?”
Read Your Labels
…”While there are many laws to protect consumers; there are also laws in place to protect the chemical fragrance industry. This allows companies to hide many of the ingredients used in their products, including toxic chemical compounds, under the label “fragrance”.
You'll find synthetics fragrances in more places than you might expect, from perfumes, soaps, and deodorants to household cleaning products and air fresheners.
Synthetic fragrance oils may contain any number of toxins. Benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, propylene glycol, parabens, and sulfates are just a few. In all, there are more than 20 commonly used chemicals, 95% of them derived from petroleum byproducts.
Some chemicals, like methylene chloride were banned in the 1980's, however this ruling cannot be enforced due to “trade secret” laws. Among the worst offenders, methylene chloride is a known carcinogen that is absorbed through the skin and stored in body fat.”