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Subject: Toxic Fragrances?  20/20 on Perfumes

     HEALTH RISKS OF THE TWENTY-ONE MOST COMMON                    
CHEMICALS FOUND IN THIRTY-ONE
                               FRAGRANCE PRODUCTS
                                   BY A 1991 EPA STUDY

     Compiled by Julia Kendall, Co-Chair, Citizens for a Toxic-Free Marin
     Provided with permission by Barbara Wilkie BWILKI@mtc.dst.ca.us, 
       Environmental Health Network (of California)

Stephen A. McFadden  samcfadd@netcom.com

    The Twenty Most Common Chemicals Found in Thirty-One
                                            Fragrance Products
                                           By A 1991 EPA Study

Compiled by Julia Kendall, Co-Chair, Citizens for a Toxic-Free Marin
  Phone: (415) 485-6870
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: hyperaemia 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; symptons:
"...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-TERPINENE (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." 

Unable to secure MSDS for the following chemicals: 1,8-CINEOLE;  
b-CITRONELLOL; b-MYRCENE;  NEROL;  OCIMENE; 
b-PHENETHYL ALCOHOL;  
a-TERPINOLENE


Relevant Facts:

o	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)

o	Central Nervous System disorders (brain and spine) include 
Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Alzheimer's Disease, Sudden 
Infant Death Syndrome.

o	Chloroform was found in tests of fabric softeners: EPA's 1991 
study.

o	A room containing an air freshener had high levels of 
p-dichlorobenzene (a carcinogen) and ethanol: EPA's 1991 study. 

o	An FDA analysis (1968-1972) of 138 compounds used in cosmetics
that most
frequently involved adverse reactions, identified five chemicals
(alpha-terpineol, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, limonene and linalool)
that are among the 20 most commonly used in the 31 fragrance
products tested by the EPA in 1991! 

o	Thirty-three million Americans suffer from sinusitis 
(inflammation or infection of sinus passages).

o	Ten million Americans have asthma. Asthma and asthma
 deaths have increased over 30% in the past 10 years.

o	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.