Reference:
Lance Wallace, Environmental Protection Agency; Phone: (703) 341-7509
Excerpts from "Health Hazard Information"
References: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
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, incoordination, 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-Terpinen:
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."
Author was not able to secure MSDS for the following
chemicals: 1,8-CINEOLE; b-CITRONELLOL; b-MYRCENE; NEROL; OCIMENE;
b-PHENETHYL ALCOHOL; a-TERPINOLENE.
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 that are among
the 20 most commonly used in the 31 fragrance products tested
by the EPA in 1991:
alpha-terpineol
benzyl acetate
benzyl alcohol
limonene
linalool
- Thirty-three million Americans suffer from
sinusitis (inflammation or infection of sinus passages).
- Twelve 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.
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