Adamowicz J
“Manufacturers of scented products, including candles or plug-in air freshener are not required to disclose all ingredients in the United States and European Union.”
“Scented candles are a heterogenic group of products which are the source of indoor pollution. In this situation, public awareness of the potential relationship between substances emitted by scented candles and bladder cancer is an essential step for better prevention.”
Ahmed AS
“Cleaning products are mixtures of many chemical ingredients that are known to contain sensitizers, disinfectants, and fragrances, as well as strong airway irritants which associated with lower respiratory tract and asthma symptoms.”
“Workers in detergent and cleaning products industry are vulnerable group for developing occupational asthma and other respiratory problems as they are exposed to a wide range of irritants and sensitizers in the chemical substances used, besides common indoor allergens and pollutants (Quirce & Barranco, 2010).”
“When the airway epithelium is damaged as a result of repeated irritating exposure, the inflammatory Th2 response is triggered (Tarlo & Lemiere, 2014).”
Ahn JH
“Scented candles are known to release various volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including both pleasant aromas and toxic components both before lighting (off) and when lit (on).”
“When lit, formaldehyde was found to have the highest emission concentration of 2098 ppb (SB), 1022 ppb (CT), and 925 ppb (PL). … As such, the results suggest that certain scented candle products should act as potent sources of VOC emission in indoor environment, regardless of conditions – whether being lit or not.”
[Note: Fragrance is considered the new ‘second hand smoke’, “The parallels between second-hand smoke and synthetic fragrance use are many. At its core, both are battles over indoor air quality “ - quote and link from De Vader, Christy L. & Barker, Paxson.
Chemicals that cigarettes/cigarette smoke and fragranced products can have in common are: Acetone, Formaldehyde, Benzene, acetaldehyde, terpenoids and phenols.]
Akunna GG
“Copious documentations have indicated that 82 percent of perfumes labeled “natural ingredients” actually contain synthetic fragrances (Rastogi et al.,1996). Such chemicals that affect male reproductive hormones may be a factor in infertility and has been known as endocrine disruptors. (Giudice, 2006, Saalu et al., 2010, Akunna et al., 2013)”.
“It has been reported that perfumes, colognes, body sprays and care products contained an average of four potential hormone-disrupting chemicals. In male reproductive anatomy, endocrine disruptors have severally been implicated as teratogens, resulting in cryptorchidism, hypospadias and impairment of body function normally regulated by natural hormone signaling (Wang and Baskin, 2008, Akunna et al., 2011, Akunna et al., 2013). Studies have shown that these chemicals causes damage by mimicking or disrupting natural estrogen, testosterone and thyroid pathways (Soto et al., 2009). Although the implication of subsequent exposure to these chemicals have not been critically understood, recent findings has clearly demonstrated disruption in spermatogenesis, (Akunna et al., 2014) liver damage (Akunna et al., 2011) and other tissue toxicity in animals exposed to fragrance components(Johansen et al., 2003, Elberling et al., 2004, Breast Cancer Fund, 2008, Schnuch et al., 2010). In animal model studies, fragrance exposure has lead to spermatotoxicity and infertility, congenital malformation in penises and abnormal testes (Akunna et al., 2014).”
“According to published scientific studies, diethyl phthalate and octinoxate which are major components of perfume and sunscreen respectively has been implicated in sperm damage, apoptosis and interference with estrogen and androgens in human respectively (Giudice, 2006, Wang and Baskin, 2008, Silva et al., 2004 ,Schreurs et al., 2005, Swan, 2008, CDC, 2009).”
“From our studies on fragrance, we can conclude herein that fragrance components are testiculotoxic in rat.”
[Note: Definition - Teratogens are substances that people are exposed to (in utero) that may lead to birth defects, miscarriages, pre-term labor or stillbirth.. Cryptorchidism (undescended testicals) may also increase the risk for testicular cancer. Hypospadias is a birth defect where boys have an altered location of the opening of the urethra.]
Akunna GG
Spermatotoxicity in Animal Models Exposed to Fragrance Components.
“Various commonly-used products have been reported to contain chemicals that could disrupt estrogen and testosterone hormone. …The results obtained from this study showed a significant (p<0.005) decrease in body weight and absolute testicular weight of the rat models exposed to fragrance when compared to the control groups. It was also observed that the concentration, mobility, livability and morphology of spermatozoa from groups C, D, E and F were significantly lower (p>0.005) when compared to values of the control group A and B. Based on the spermiographic evaluation from this study, fragrance materials could have an adverse effect on spermatozoa of the intact male wistar rats.”
“It has been reported that through inhalation, ingestion and absorption, fragrance infiltrates the body and moves directly to the blood stream. … Symptoms ranging from severe mucosal discharge, sinus problems, tremor, asthmatic attack, sneezing, migraine headache, convulsions, hyperactivity, nausea, sore throat, cough, chest tightness to shortness of breath after fragrance exposure have been vastly documented (Guin and Berry, 1980; De Groot, 1987; Schleuter et al., 1978).”
“Unswerving connection between memory and smell has been established (Rachel and Engen, 1996). This knowledge has resulted in placement of fragrance in the category of psychoactive drugs and highlighted the ability of fragrance to cross the brain barrier thereby resulting in potential damage to brain tissue (Andrea, 1997). Linalool, the most abundant fragrance substance has been indicated to cause lethargy, depression and severe respiratory difficulties after exposure.”
“Synthetic musk fragrance ingredients which are widely highly distributed in many consumer products have been examined in human blood, milk and fatty tissue. They represent a new group of human contaminants which are comparable with that of certain pesticides. Despite several reports on the toxic effect of fragrance, there is a dearth of literature ascertaining its effects on male fertility and testicular development (Thompson and Wansker, 1981).”
Al-Saleh I
Evaluating the potential genotoxicity of phthalates esters (PAEs) in perfumes using in vitro assays.
“The role of PAEs as endocrine disruptors has been well documented, but their effect on genotoxic behavior has received little attention.”
“All perfumes induced more DNA damage than a negative control (NEG), ≥ 90% of the samples caused more damage than cells treated with the vehicles possibly used in perfume’s preparations such as methanol
(ME) and ethanol (ET), and 11.6% of the perfumes caused more DNA damage than a positive control (hydrogen peroxide).”
“This study demonstrates for the first time the possible contribution of PAEs in perfumes to DNA damage and suggests that their use as solvents or fixatives should be regulated. Other ingredients with mutagenic/genotoxic properties, however, may also have contributed to the DNA damage.”
Al-Saleh I
Screening of phthalate esters in 47 branded perfumes.
“The results of this study are alarming and definitely need to be brought to the attention of the public and health regulators. Although some phthalate compounds are still used in cosmetics, many scientists and environmental activists have argued that phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals that have not been yet proven to be safe for any use, including cosmetics. Phthalates may also have different degrees of estrogenic modes of action. Furthermore, we should not dismiss the widespread use of phthalates in everyday products and exposure to these chemicals from sources such as food, medications, and other personal care products.”
Apte K
Household air pollution and its effects on health.
“Various studies have reported that toxic levels of air pollutants are emitted when these fragrances are burnt. … Among the Chinese, 76.9% currently burn incense at home every day and over 90% of the population has been using these for over 20 years. Burning of these fragrances emits high levels of PAHs, benzene, nitrous oxide, and CO. … Household air pollution begins to affect a human even during fetal life. Increased household air pollution increases oxidative stress, which has been implicated in decreased fertility or, in some cases, even infertility. Increased oxidative stress leads to decreased sperm motility and poor zygote quality. It also plays an important role in increasing insulin resistance, which is associated with polycystic ovarian disease, a major cause of infertility.”
“...a study of 10 newborn infants in New York by the Environmental Work Group revealed that these infants, born to mothers exposed to pollutants, had as many as 232 pollutants circulating in the cord blood collected at birth….Similarly, another study reported that increased exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals (especially lead and mercury) in the second trimester of pregnancy resulted in decreased length of the baby at birth…. They also have lower heights, which do not recover later in life…. The effect of perinatal exposure to PAHs has also been studied, revealing compromised lung function in otherwise-healthy children… Household air pollutants are also implicated in cognitive and judgmental skills ….”
Anderson RC
Toxic effects of air freshener emissions.
“The emissions of this solid Air Freshener produced acute respiratory and neurotoxicity in mice, and they did not lower the toxic impact of the other pollutants tested. Collectively, toxicity data, chemical data, and MSDS information predict that some humans exposed to emissions of the AF we studied might experience some combination of eye, nose, and/or throat irritation; respiratory difficulty; bronchoconstriction or an asthma-like reaction; and CNS reactions (e.g., dizziness, incoordination, confusion, fatigue).”
Aurisano N
Chemicals of concern in plastic toys.
“Out of 126 CoCs (chemicals of concern), we found 31 plasticizers, 18 flame retardants and 8 fragrances.”
“The 27 substances identified in category I, correspond well to chemicals present in other prioritization lists. For example, widely regulated phthalates are also identified as CoCs in the present study. These phthalates include DEHP, DINP, DBP, DiDP, di-(n-octyl)-phthalate (DNOP, CAS: 117-84-0), and benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP, CAS: 85-68-7).”
“Finally, we found 37 substances that appear in our category IV, which contains substances that appear in other priority lists, but for which we were not able to quantify any risk. This includes the allergenic fragrance d-Limonene (CAS: 5989-27-5), which was detected in toys…”
[Note: 8 listed Fragrance chemicals of concern from Table 1: Hexadecanoic Acid, Linalool, Acetophenone, Biphenyl, Diethyl Propanedioate, Propylbenzene, Methylparaben, Propylparaben]
[Note: Styrene is “primarily a synthetic chemical” used in fragrance. It is on the CSPC list as ‘parfum/fragrance’ and also on the IFRA list.]
[Note: Phenol used in fragrance is mostly synthetic derived from benzene/petro. It is an EDC and declared as fragrance on the CSCP list and on the IFRA fragrance transparency list. Phenol is on the Washington State List of Chemicals of High Concern to Children and Priority Pollutant List.]
[Note: Phthalates are synthetic odorless plasticizers used as solvents, binders or fixatives in many fragrances. Why are phthalates in the news? Phthalates are considered Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals.
On the California Safe Cosmetics Program Product Database: DEP, DIDP, and DBP are reported as fragrance while DEHP and DBP are perfume solvents. IFRA lists DEP and DMP, as “reported fragrance ingredients”.]
Bagasra O
Role of perfumes in pathogenesis of autism.
“There are 3100 ingredients that contribute to ‘‘fragrance,’’ and consumers routinely have no idea about how much the pleasant smells included in perfumes may be damaging their health, and the health of their fetus…“
“During pregnancy, the use of fragrances and other cosmetics may actually expose the growing fetus to diethyl phthalate (DEP), a common fragrance solvent that can cause abnormal development of reproductive organs in infant males, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) in children, and sperm damage in adults….”
“Two chemicals, octinoxate and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), have thyroid and androgen-like hormonal activities… In addition, octinoxalate, oxybenzone, benzophenone-1 diethy phthalate, galaxolide, tonalid, musk ketone, benzyl salicylate, butylphenyl methylproprionate, and even the many yet-to-be-exposed chemicals that still hide incognito within perfumes, are known to act like estrogen or androgens….”
“We analyzed 91 perfumes by the Ames test… As shown in Fig. 3, numerous perfumes exhibit serious mutagenic potential, as compared with the positive control (4-NOPD), which is highly mutagenic. Distilled water was used as the negative control. Our analyses showed that each of the 91 perfumes tested imparted some degree of mutagenic potential; several exceeded the mutagenic potential of 4-NOPD by 2.5-fold. Fig. 3 only shows the few perfumes with mutagenic ability, but during our studies we did not find a single perfume that did not have some degree of mutagenic capacity at 1:15,000 dilutions…”
“The role of perfumes in the molecular and cellular pathogeneses of ASD has not been evaluated adequately. This is due mainly to the 1973 FDA decision to exempt perfumes from appropriate testing, which is generally required for any consumer item that enters the human body and is metabolized by human metabolic pathways. We provide evidence that many perfumes are highly mutagenic and carcinogenic, even at extremely low concentrations. We also provide evidence that even at fentomole levels, certain perfumes are cytotoxic to human fetal brain development (neuroblastoma cell lines) in vitro. In addition, we show that even at 1:108 dilutions, certain perfumes are neurostimulatory and may cause abnormal brain development.”