RESEARCH:

There are increasing anecdotal and clinical accounts of fragrances causing, triggering, and exacerbating health conditions. The long term systemic, respiratory, and neurological effects are of concern as well. The ubiquitous nature of fragrances also makes them an environmental concern.

The fragrance industry contends (at least in the popular press) that there is no scientific documentation that supports fragrances being a health risk. In relationship to the widespread use there has been very limited research done on fragrance chemicals. The Research Institute For Fragrance Materials has done some testing. The RIFM has published monographs on about 1300 fragrance chemicals. This testing is mainly on the effects on the skin. Since many fragrance chemicals are used also in flavors there has been some testing done on how substances are metabolized and acute toxicity.

There has been little to no testing on the respiratory effects of fragrance materials despite the fact that virtually all the chemicals are volatile organic compounds and respiratory exposure is significant. And although some fragrance chemicals are known to be neurotoxic such as musk amberette and AETT neurological testing has not been done on most fragrance chemicals.

In this respect the industry is correct that there is limited data available. The data that is available is widely scattered and rarely viewed as a whole. This makes it difficult to assess the impact and potential impact on health and the environment.

The following bibliography is an attempt to compile relevant studies, articles, and books related to health, safety, and environmental aspects of fragrances as well as regulatory and industry issues. A wide range of aspects are covered from effects of singular chemicals to impact on the environment.

Due to copyright considerations links are provided when available to abstracts and articles.  There are overlaps and an article may be listed in more than one category. Categories are provided to make it easier to find specific information and are often based on search terms used.

Perfume & Asthma

Toxicity

Reproductive, Fertility, and Fetal concerns

Environmental Impact and Concerns

 

Interesting Studies

Musk Xylene, a common synthetic fragrance chemical is found in blood samples from the general population.

Coumarin, which has been banned for use in foods because of reports of hepatotoxicity in rodents is still a commonly used fragrance chemical. This study shows there is systemic absorption of coumarin through the skin.

d-Limonene when oxidized forms strong contact allergens. This study investigates the occurrence of contact allergy to oxidized limonene in the air.

1-8-cineol is absorbed from the air and is dected in the blood.

Synthetic musks are found in human fat tissue.

Environmental factors that are associated with asthma include exposures to perfumes.

Asthma like symptoms are triggered by perfumes in this blinded study.

Perfume scent strips were found to trigger asthma attacks.

Citrus fragrance used in treatment of depression.

Perfume factory was one of the environmental factors connected with higher localized prevalence of asthma

Consumer products contain VOC's and chronic effects needs to be studied.

Benzyl acetate may be absorbed systemically through the skin in humans, but absorption is greater in rats than in humans.

Blood flow in the brain is effected by inhaling fragrance chemicals.

Citral has marked vasoactive effects in rats

EEG/ERP experiments show low level and undetected odors can effect neurophysiology

Motility in mice is significantly decreased after inhalation of fragrance chemicals.

Cinnamaldehyde acts as a haptan and binds with protein to cause allergic reactions 

"Fragrance Free" products may contain fragrance chemicals and cause problems for those with fragrance allergies

"Natural" cosmetics may contain synthetic ingredients

Musk ambrette has neurotoxic effects

AETT is neurotoxic