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SAFER WORLD a private independent international internet information network www.safer-world.org/ FRAGRANCES
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2/2001: From Betty Bridges:, RN: I am aware that many people with MCS have problems with perfumes and fragrances. I think it is important to realize that fragrances are a general health issue. The fragrance industry has deliberately focused on MCS because it is controversial. They use MCS to distract attention from other less controversial health and environmental concerns related to fragrances. In order for any significant changes to occur, the general public is going to have to be educated. Only when there is a public outcry will changes occur because only then will it affect industry's profit margin. Only when there is a public outcry will government address these issues. There needs to be a concerted effort to educate the public and increase awareness. There is increasing amounts of information that supports fragrances are a legitimate health concern. 1. Synthetic musk compounds contaminate waterways and aquatic wildlife world wide. http://www.ameliaww.com/fpin/ProductsEnv.htm#pers 2. Synthetic musk compounds are found in fat tissue and breast milk. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8268706&dopt=Abstract 3. Metabolites of phthalates common in cosmetics and scented products are present in the urine of women of child bearing ages. There is concern over phthalates being potential hormone disruptors. http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2000/108p972-982blount/abstract.html 4. Many fragrance chemicals are produced and used at high levels. Some of these materials are on the EPA's High Production Volume list meaning they are manufactured or imported into the US at levels of one million pounds or more. http://www.ameliaww.com/fpin/HPVC_EURO.htm 5. The EPA asked the Institute of Medicine to review the medical literature in regards to the impact of indoor air pollutants on causing and triggering asthma. In chemical triggers for asthma . . . fragrance, second hand smoke, and formaldehyde were placed in the category of limited or suggestive evidence of an association. http://books.nap.edu/books/0309064961/html/9.html#pagetop 6. A recent Tulane University study indicates popular perfumes are a trigger for asthma. http://www.ameliaww.com/fpin/aaaaiperfume.htm 7. Even the fragrance industry admits fragrances are a trigger for asthma. The URL is not more available 8. Most organizations that deal with respiratory health recognize fragrances are a trigger for asthma. Both the American Lung Association and the American Medical Association recognize fragrances are a trigger for asthma. 9. Fragrances are known triggers for migraine headaches. 10. Fragrance chemicals can have estrogenic effects and cause enlargement of the prostate gland in male lab animals. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9568365&dopt=Abstract These and other sources of information can be used to educate the public on concerns related to fragrances. Betty Bridges, RN For information on health effects of scented products visit: Fragranced Products Information Network ------------- 5/2000: Scents And SENSELESSNESS Fumento and company's articles are available online through Fumento's site.If these spin-off stories don't prove that errors compound, I don't know what does. Part of the flawed premiss begins with the fallacious and relatively recent article in the *New England Journal of Medicine. See http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnhompg/stufhaps.htm#New to link out to NEJM's abstract and spinoff stories. But, the damning and damaging to the MCS community "stuff" began a decade ago when the Chemical Manufacturers Association published their Environmental Illness Briefing Paper. See for yourself. http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/books/cmaeibri.htm---------- 5/2000: : Harrison Ford won't allow the casts, or crews, on his films to wear scented products. It makes him sick. Sorry, we have no URL from this statement. -------- 5/2000: "Maybe it's nerves" The Globe reports that Barbra Streisand has had to change her perfume for a third time since marrying James Brolin. Seems every time the loving couple get in a romantic clinch he has a major sneezing fit. The article is here -- the 4th item down the screen, very short (just what I've put above): http://www.ohio.com/bj/porter/docs/014227.htm --------------- 10/99: SAFETY CONCERNS AND TESTING FRAGRANCE MATERIALS (4) "A substance can be in wide spread use for more than 20 years before any testing occurs outside the company producing the material." By Betty Bridges, RN bcb56@ix.netcom.com The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM) is responsible for testing the safety of raw materials. The RIFM is a major facet of the self-regulatory process of the fragrance industry. According to Richard Ford, Ph.D. of the RIFM, "Over the approximately 30 years since its inception, RIFM has tested virtually all important fragrance materials in common use. (It has always been the policy of RIFM that if a material is used by only one company, it is that company's responsibility to see that the material is adequately tested and evaluated.)" (Richard A. Ford, "RIFM Activities in the Safety Assessment of the Dermal Effects" page 184 of the book Fragrances: Beneficial and Adverse Effects) This is quite a surprising statement since only around 1300 of the more than 3000 materials in use have been tested. The clarifying statement in parenthesis raises further concerns over the extent of the RIFM's testing. While fragrance formulas may not be patented, fragrance chemicals may be. During the time the patent is in force, the company holding the patent normally has control over the production of the materials. A patent is generally in force for around 20 years; the actual time may vary depending on the country the patent is filed in. To see the whole article: http://www.flipside.orgFrom Betty Bridges: The 4th in a series of articles on concerns on fragrance safety is now up at the "Flipside" Website. These articles can be printed out and freely used. Flipside has an open policy on the use of materials put up at their site. As the author of the articles, I also give permission for them to be freely used. These articles take an indepth look at concerns over lack of regulation, inadequate testing, health, and environmental concerns. They summarize much of the information I have compiled over the past 5 years. Anyone that cannot access the "Flipside" Website, can drop me a line and I will send the articles in e-mail messages. --------------------- Betty Bridges, RN Fragranced Products Information Network (FPIN) For information on health effects of fragrances, visit: SUPPORT THE PETITION TO THE FDA Docket # 99P-1340 Send comments to: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov For more information visit: http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm http://www.ameliaww.com/fpin/petition%20index.htm --- 1/2000: The latest edition of the free EU [European Union] NGO newsletter on EU chemicals policy has a brief article on fragrance allergy in consumers. This is part of which is at the URL of http://www.dn.dk/chemaware/current/issue04/article10.html: ''Fragrance Allergy in Consumers By Heidi Soested, the Danish Consumer Council In Chemical Awareness No.1 and No.2 we wrote that fragrance allergy is a big and increasing problem among the consumers....The opinion concerning Fragrance Allergy in Consumers given by the SCCNFP intended for Consumers is now ready and can be read on the internet site http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/dg24/health/sc/sccp/out98_en.html In brief, the contents of the opinion of the SCCNFP are as
follows:
Information regarding these fragrance chemicals should be given to consumers if deliberately added to a fragrance formulation either in the form of a chemical or as an identified constituent of an ingredient...The Danish Consumer Council finds that it is definitely in the consumers’ interest that the most frequent fragrance allergens are banned as soon as possible and that all substances which have been shown to cause allergy are written on the label of the products in which they are found. '' |
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