Communicating
with the
Fragrance Industry
It is imperative the fragrance industry addresses the concerns over health effects of fragranced products. No long term solutions will be possible without joint efforts that includes the fragrance industry. In the past the majority of people that had adverse responses to fragranced products simply stopped using them. Most of these adverse reactions involved skin contact.
With the phenomenal increase in use of fragranced products over the past twenty years, exposures have increased dramatically. With increased exposures, increased problems are surfacing. There are not only problems for the users of fragranced products but also for those exposed to fragrance materials in the air.
Most of the programs the industry has in place is to address adverse skin effects of fragrance materials. These programs need to be expanded to cover other routes of exposures. Before this can happen the industry must acknowledge other routes of exposure and adverse effects other than those involving the skin.
CTFA - the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association has in place a program to help dermatologist determine what in a fragranced product may be causing an adverse skin reaction. The product is broken down into four fractions. The patient is then tested to see which of the fractions cause a reaction. Then further testing is done using the individual materials in fraction the patient had problems from.
I contacted the CTFA in regards to pinpointing materials that cause
problems other than skin reactions. I explained that I was looking for ways of determining
non-skin reactions to fragrances. I am not sure how the details would be worked out.
However, doctors interested in pursuing trying to find out what in a particular fragranced
product may be
triggering their patients' asthma or migraines might want to give this route a try. There
is a cost of $25 ( this service is free to dermatologists).
Inquiries need to be sent by the physician to:
Science Department
Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association
1101 17th Street, N.W. Suite 300
Washington, DC 20036
PHONE:(202)331-1770
FAX:(202)331-1969
The Scented Products Education and Information Association of Canada (SPEIAC) is a national coalition of fragrance industry organizations. The official mandate of the organization is "to disseminate information and provide public education about scented products including fine fragrances, cosmetics, toiletries and scented household products." However, the site has only addressed the controversial aspects of those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. There has been no effort to address issues such as asthma, migraines, and bioaccumulation of fragrance materials in human adipose tissue and breast milk.
Part of their mandate is to "address questions about scented product ingredients, safety and regulation;" and facilitate constructive dialogue and disseminate accurate information about scented products among all stakeholders – consumers, media, manufacturers, government, researchers, academics and the medical community".
I have sent at least 3 e-mails to SPEIAC with both general and specific questions concerning safety of fragrances in general and specific materials used. I have received no response.
E-mails sent:
The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials is responsible for the safety testing of fragrance materials. Questions to the RIFM are directed to Glenn Roberts, an attorney who is the spokesperson for the RIFM. I have addressed concerns to Mr. Roberts both via telephone and letter. I spoke to Mr. Roberts via telephone recently. He said he was gathering information to address the concerns I had posed in my letter and would be getting back to me on it. The letter I wrote can be accessed below. I will post his response when I receive it.
Letter to Glenn Roberts spokesperson for the RIFM.
The information contained on this site has been compiled by
E-Fax:: (801)340-3578
Site last updated: 03/05/00