By Betty Bridges, RN
Fragranced Products Information Network (FPIN)
The effects of fragranced products are important emerging health and environmental issues. There are increasing numbers of people that are negatively impacted by others' use of fragranced products. There are other concerns as well relating to safety of the products for users, impact on the environment, and improper labeling of perfumes and toiletries.
For those whose health is negatively impacted by fragrances, life is very difficult. It is difficult to work and function in public environments due to the widespread use of fragranced products. Since these products are volatile and get into the air it is impossible to avoid exposures.
While fragrances have been used for centuries, it has only been since World War II that they have been made primarily of synthetic materials and only in the past few decades have become ubiquitous in our environment. Specific changes in formulations that occurred in the mid-1980s seem to be connected with the increasing complaints of health effects.
While natural materials are not inherently safer than synthetic ones, they do have a longer history of use. Fragrance industry testing revolves around effects on the skin. There is no testing for respiratory, neurological, or systemic effects. Only about half the materials in common use have even been tested for skin effects.
There are so many aspects to this issue. I have tried to pull together many of the concerns and provide references in an article.
I will try to provide some pertinent sources of information for key points. This will help give an overview of the information available. The key issues involved are:
1. Regulatory issues, labeling, enforcement,
etc.
2. Fragrance Materials, Safety, and
Testing
3. Health concerns related to fragranced
products
4. Environmental concerns related to fragranced products
5. Accommodation of those for which fragrances cause, trigger
or exacerbate illness
SUPPORT THE PETITION TO THE FDA Docket # 99P-1340 Send comments to: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
