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Respiratory Effects
There are over 17 million asthmatics in the US, 35 million people
have chronic sinus infections, and millions more suffer from
other respiratory conditions. Most of these problems are exacerbated
by the presence of irritants in the air. Fragrances are respiratory
irritants. Virtually all organizations that are concerned with
respiratory health list fragrances as triggers.
http://www.lungusa.org/press/association/asnairt.html
Fragrances contribute to indoor air pollution.
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/external/faq/indoor.htm
Recently, at the AAAAI conference the results of a study were
announced in which many popular perfumes triggered asthma attacks.
http://www.aaaai.org/media/pressreleases/2000/03/000304.html
Other studies have also shown perfumes to be triggers for asthma
and a recent German case study documents occupational asthma
caused by exposure to perfumes. (No abstract available on Medline)
Neurological Effects
Fragrances are also known triggers for headaches and migraines.
They can also have sedative effects. In a study with mice, exposure
to some fragrance chemicals caused a 30-40% decrease in motility.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/htbin-post/Entrez/query?uid=8331544&form=6
&db=m&Dopt=b
In one study fragrance chemicals acted on receptors in the
brain in a similar manner as alcohol and tobacco effecting mood
and function.
Olfactory pathways provide a direct route to the brain for
toxic substances. Some fragrance materials can be toxic to the
nervous system.
Reproductive Concerns
Citral is a common fragrance material. It is known to cause
enlargement of the prostate gland (animal studies). It and other
fragrance materials have been found to have estrogenic properties.
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