PBDEs - Polybrominated diphenyl ethers
PBS
http://www.pbs.org/
PBTs - Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemicals in Central and
Eastern European Countries - State-of-the-art Report
RECETOX - TOCOEN & Associates
http://recetox.chemi.muni.cz/PBTs/content.htm
THE PEACOCK INFORMATION CENTER
Pediatric Database
"[D]esigned by Dr. Alan Gandy (MD.,PhD.,FRCP(C)) while enrolled in the Pediatric
Residency Programme at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario,
Canada from 1990-1994. Presently he is a Consultant Pediatrician in Summerside,
Prince Edward Island, Canada. ..."
http://www.icondata.com/health/pedbase/index.htm
People For Internet Responsibility- PFIR (WWW.PFIR.ORG)
http://www.pfir.org/
Pepper Spray (Berkeley, California)
Pepper Spray (Humboldt County, California)
Perchloroethylene , perchlorate Perc"
Perfume
Fragrance: There is more to meet the nose than just scent!
That scent is concocted from petrochemical derivatives. I'm so sorry that folks think only to warn
me that they can't get near because they are wearing perfume, cologne, aftershave, highly
scented deodorant, etc., but never give a thought to the long-term effects they may be causing
their body. Skin is not a barrier, and besides, you inhale those chemicals too.
Doctors diagnose distinct diseases, but seldom will they come up with the cause. Perfumes and
other scented products may be the culprit. Look for that benign sounding word, "fragrance," on
the packaging . . . then look for safer alternatives. Learn as much as you can about the products
you are putting on your body as they become part of your body! -- barb wilkie
"Scent-Sensitive Nurse Sues LDS"
BY MICHAEL VIGH THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, Tuesday, October 15, 2002
"LDS Hospital nurse Susan Bell says she suffered for more than a year from daily
headaches, eye irritation, swelling of her face and lips and other symptoms because
her co-workers doused themselves in perfume or cologne.
"Bell, 57, says she became the office laughingstock for supervisors and colleagues,
some of whom continued to bathe in their perfumes even after she told them it made
her sick. She worked at the hospital for more than a decade before she took a disability
leave in March 2001.
"Last week, the Eagle Mountain woman filed a lawsuit against the hospital in U.S. District
Court, claiming supervisors failed to adequately accommodate her and enforce their
own policy prohibiting the wearing of heavy perfumes.
"I have allergic and severe reactions to fragrances and paints," Bell said in a statement to
the Utah Labor Commission's anti-discrimination division. "I complained to my
supervisors . . . and they promised to fix the problem, yet no action was taken and every
day I was sick at work.' ...
" ... Annette Green, [former] executive director of the Fragrance Foundation in New York,
has said the restrictions are much ado about nothing, arguing perfume does not
pollute the air and does not contain carcinogens, as cigarettes do."
[Emphasis added as I wonder, who is kidding whom? Analyses prove Green WRONG! -- barb]
http://www.sltrib.com/2002/oct/10152002/utah/7273.htm
California Health and Safety Code Section 41700
41700. Except as otherwise provided in Section 41705, no person shall discharge from
any source whatsoever such quantities of air contaminants or other material which cause
injury, detriment, nuisance, or annoyance to any considerable number of persons or
to the public, or which endanger the comfort, repose, health, or safety of any such
persons or the public, or which cause, or have a natural tendency to cause, injury or
damage to business or property. ..."
"... 41705. (a) Section 41700 shall not apply to odors emanating from agricultural
operations necessary for the growing of crops or the raising of fowl or animals.
http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/cacodes/hsc/41700-41712.html
- Perfume pollutes the air!
- CNS Story: FRAGRANCE Dec-15-2004 (860 words) xxxn
"Parishioners breathe easier in Seattle church's 'fragrance-free' zone"
By Terry McGuire; Catholic News Service
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/0406858.htm
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
Common Indoor Air Pollutants, under VOCs
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/external/faq/indoor.htm
- Perfumes cause allergies - News
"...The study concluded that the number of eczema patients with perfume allergy has
doubled since 1979 from one in twenty eczema patients to one in ten in 1995. ..."
"Tests by the perfume/cosmetics industry
"The majority of studies have been undertaken by the perfume/cosmetics industry, and
only a minor part are publicly available. Jeanne Duus Johansen suggests that when
the results are made public, they are likely to show better results than those of the
studies she has been involved with. This is because the industry tests perfumes on healthy
persons and so the number of allergic eczema reactions will always be lower than in
the studies at Gentofte University Hospital, where the substances are tested on eczema
patients. This means that the industry's research will not show how the
products affect people with allergy problems. ..."
Folks, this is just skin reactions of the primary user, at that. What about effects over time from
absorption? What about effects over time from inhaling? Remember scents are made to be
inhaled (smelled), yet the industry doesn't openly test for effects upon inhalation . . . inhalation by
user nor for effects upon inhalation by nonusers. Buyer BEWARE! Look for organic products,
free of petrochemical-derived fragrances for personal care and for cleaning and maintenance -- barb
http://www.gina.antczak.btinternet.co.uk/CU/CUNEWS.HTM#article1
- Perfume pollutes bodies! . . . your body and mine.
And, I don't use the stuff as perfume, nor in cosmetics or personal care products, nor as
household cleaning products.
Perfumes contain chemicals that are known or suspected carcinogens (capable of causing
cancer), hormone disrupters (look to phthalates, which are added to make scents last),
irritants (defined as poison to lungs and skin), neurotoxins (affecting brain and
nervous systems), sensitizers (lungs and skin) and teratogens (adversely affecting
embryonic and fetal development). Buy an analysis, OR, look at the analyses that form
the basis of EHN's 1999 FDA Citizens' Petition, assigned docket number 99P-1340.
Buyer beware! . . . Except you can't because the industry does not have to label fragrances,
and the FDA does not test before marketing and cannot require testing before marketing.
It is up to you, the consumer, to look for safer, fragrance-free products. Until you can
see evidence that modern, petrochemical-derived fragrances do not pollute your body,
look for safer alternatives. IF you acquire any of the diseases caused, exacerbated or
triggered by fragrances, you'll sure find fragrance-free alternatives; it's THE way of life for us. -- barb wilkie
EHN's FDA Petition Analysis
http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/analysis.htm.
GreenPeace UK analyses perfumes
http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/Products/Toxics/chemicalhouse.cfm?producttypeid=5
Are Chemical Health Hazards Hiding in Make-Up?
The Breast Cancer Fund's Press Releases
http://www.breastcancerfund.org/site/apps/nl/content.asp?c=kwKXLdPaE&b=86181&ct=90477
Dibutyl Phthalate
From EWG's report, via the UK
"Dibutyl Phthalate is just one ingredient in an alphabet soup of pollutants that
contaminate every person in the industrialized world! "
http://www.health-report.co.uk/phthalates.html
- Perfume pollutes the water!
Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Environment:
Agents of Subtle Change?
Environmental Health Perspectives, Volume 107, Supplement 6, December 1999
http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/1999/suppl-6/907-938daughton/daughton-full.html
AromaticsOnline - FAQs
" ... The main aromatics are benzene, toluene and the xylenes; they are used as starting materials for a wide range of consumer products. ..."
http://www.aromaticsonline.net/FAQintro.html
And from here, you can click out to information on benzene, toluene and the xylenes,
but there is not a separate link to provide. Intereestingly, when you look up the aromatics,benzene, toluene and the xylenes, you'll not find -- at least not at this time Feb '04 -- a hint that these chemicals are an important part of scent, even though "aromatic" means "fragrance." -- barb
You can also check Medline for information on perfume or fragrance. When doing so,
I brought up a page of chemicals, one of which was the "Fragrance material review on
linalyl phenylacetate" by RIFM (Research Institute for Fragrance Materials). On page,
http://intapp.medscape.com/px/medlineapp/getdoc?ord=2&searchid=1&have_local_holdings_file=1&local_journals_only=0&searchstring=perfume,
one will see a bunch of zeros by words such as Carcinogens, Irritants, Monoterpenes,
Mutagens, Perfume, Phenylacetates and Teratogens.
However, searching the CAS number, 7143-69-3, one can learn that linalyl phenylacetate,
used in "Fine Fragrance, Beauty Care, Soap, Laundry Care, Household" providing the
"honey-like warmth in exotic floral bouquets, as well as in sweet tropical fruit accords."
You'll also learn it is "not found in nature" and that its "[t]enacity on blotter [is] 9 hours."
All of that, but there seems to be no MSDS for 7143-69-3. Where's its toxicity info?
http://ingredients.givaudan.com/appl/fib/ing.nsf/0/1a4c0c60d8658635c1256a3800309235?OpenDocument
Linalyl phenylacetate is also "scheduled for evaluation or re-evaluation at the
fifty-ninth meeting of the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA),
Geneva, 4-13 June 2002.
http://archive.food.gov.uk/pdf_files/jecfarequest2002.pdf.
Seems to me we cannot learn enough about this chemical used as fragrance and flavor. -- barb
Cosmetics Unmasked News and Updates Page
http://www.gina.antczak.btinternet.co.uk/CU/CUNEWS.HTM
Search for fragrance or perfume on the Danish Environmental Protection Agency's site
Also see special EHN pages:
- Avoid Fragrances
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/a.htm#AVOID
- FDA Petition, with analyses, contact information and complementary information
http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm
- Fragrance-Free
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/f.htm#Fragrance-Free
- Fragrance Info
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/f.htm#Fragrance
- Pregnancy & Fragrance
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/p.htm#Pregnancy
- Take Heart!
(EHN's Access and Accommodation info page)
http://users.lanminds.com/~wilworks/ehnhompg/takheart.htm
- Acute toxic effects of fragrance products.
Author/s: Rosalind C. Anderson, Julius H. Anderson
Issue: March-April, 1998
http://www.zeal.com/exit.jhtml?cid=991790&wid=60362997&so=&xr=/website/profile.jhtml%3Fcid%3D991790%26wid%3D60362997
Danish Environmental Protection Agency on perfumed products
- Eastman
Eastman produces a variety of raw materials that may be used as solvents in the fragrance industry.
Also listed under EHN's section on Solvents. -- barb
http://www.eastman.com/Markets/Cosmetic_PersonalCare/Cosmetic_intro.asp
- EU [European Union] wants perfumers to list all ingredients used
French perfumers in a stink
Monday, 19 August, 2002, 15:55 GMT 16:55 UK
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/not_in_website/syndication/monitoring/media_reports/2202835.stm
- FDA Petition - requests the FDA follow the regulations already on its books
to require warning labels on products released to market without adequate testing.
Note: Be sure to click out to Analyses and Product Label. -- barb
http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm
- Laboratory 2: Analysis Summary
(Be sure to print this out and use it . . . notice all the chemicals listed on EPA's Toxic
Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory and on the Registry of Toxic Effects of
Chemical Substances (RTECS). As well as those that carry this line from their MSDS,
"The chemical, physical, and toxicological properties have not been thoroughly
investigated.") So, I ask, where is FDA's required warning label? -- barb
http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/analysis.htm
- Fragrance
Once on this page, you can click on Fragrance Info, Fragrance Free, Fragrance and Health... -- barb
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/f.htm
- Fragrance manufacturers
- 1991 Report: Identification of Polar Volatile Organic Compounds in
Consumer Products and Common Microenvironments
http://www.ourlittleplace.com/epa.html
- 1992 Final Report: Polar Organic Compounds in Fragrances of Consumer Products
http://www.fpinva.org/composition.analysis.EPA.htm
- Asthmatics¼ reactions to common perfumes
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - press release
Scroll down.
My solution: Remove the fragrances to eliminate the asthma. Of course, that meant my
having to take early retirement. -- barb
http://www.aaaai.org/media/news_releases/2000/03/000304.html
- A COMMON FRAGRANCE COMPONENT INCREASES AIRWAY
RESPONSIVENESS AFTER SKIN SENSITISATION
Study out of Sweden. -- barb
http://www.ersnet.org/4/3/4_4_3_5.asp#fragrance
- Fragrance And Chemical Sensitivity Support Group
http://www.geocities.com/fragranceallergy/IndexContents.html
- History of Perfume
http://www.perfumes.com/history.htm
- Leaking scent strips and Postal Regulations
More information:
http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/p.htm#Postal
- Leffingwell & Associates
http://www.leffingwell.com/
- Flavor and Fragrance links
http://www.leffingwell.com/links.htm
- Tobacco
A Review by John C. Leffingwell, Ph.D.
"As plants mature, or die, the chlorophyllic pigments rapidly decrease and virtually
disappear (one of the normal catabolic changes during plant senescence). This is
shown below for Burley tobacco after harvest, but is undoubtedly similar for other
(green) plants. Many of the same carotenoid degradation products found in tobacco
are also found in osmanthus, saffron, rose, boronia, quince & grapes.
http://www.leffingwell.com/tob.htm
- Lyral has been included in the patch test standard series in Germany.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=12084084&dopt=Abstract
- Musk
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/m.htm#Musk
- Perfume Causes Allergy
"Perfume allergy is on the increase"
Danish Environment
Environmental magazine published twice yearly by the Danish EPA
Internet Edition 2; September 1996
http://www.mst.dk/magazine/issue2/perfume/Default.htm
- Perfume Ingredients
- Perfume and Neurological Effects
A couple of abstracts concerning musk are in this list. -- barb
http://www.herc.org/news/perfume/abstract2.htm
- PerfumersWorld
http://www.perfumersworld.com/index.html
- The Perfumers Workbook
http://www.perfumersworld.com/glossary.htm
- The ABC's of Perfumery
Copyright Stephen V. Dowthwaite, April 1998
http://www.perfumersworld.com/software/pwabc10.htm
- Index page
http://www.perfumersworld.com/index.htm
- Perfumes and Asthma Don't Mix
Trifold brochure developed by barb, based on collaborative effort
led by Julius Anderson, MD,PhD
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/donmix.htm
- Raw Materials of Perfumery
Benzene is a known carcinogen ... Now, what is it the industry states about its modern scents?
Their products are safe, safety tested, don't contain carcinogens or neurotoxins????. Read on . . .
Use sense, not scents! Write to the FDA about Docket Number 99P-1340/CP 1
http://www.perfumersworld.com/chems/material.htm
- Canadian industry ad generated for the June 20, 2000 Halifax Press Conference
(See Another Perspective at http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/aaprbb.htm)
- "COMMON SENSE ABOUT SCENTS."
http://www.scentedproducts.on.ca/hdnad.jpg
The ad states in part: "The composition of perfumes hasn't changed much in
hundreds of years. They contain primarily water and alcohol -- of the same
type and purity we drink in beverages -- as well as essential fragrance oils."
Do notice that line about water and alcohol. Remember that when you read and
further investigate the information below. We do not drink denatured alcohol.
Do we really think the industry will pay the excise taxes to use "drinking
alcohol"? But more importantly, SPEIAC and the industry in general, always
assures us that their products are safe. And in this ad, they flat out state:
"Fragrance formulations do not contain toxic ingredients such as carcinogens or
neurotoxins." EXXXXCCCCUUUUUSSSSEEEE me!
To learn the TRUTH about chemicals used to manufacture
synthetic fragrances, please do visit
Perfumers World's "Materials Used In Perfumery"
http://www.perfumersworld.com/chems/material.htm
- Concerns over chemicals in cosmetics
Are åplasticizing¼ substances causing health woes?
By Francesca Lyman SPECIAL TO MSNBC
Read " åplasticizing¼ substances" and think PHTHALATES! -- barb
http://web.archive.org/web/20010609221623/www.msnbc.com/news/472235.asp?cp1=1
To see the duplicity of the fragrance industry in action, read,
"Scents and sensitivities ...," in which you will see the industry
assuring us on the one hand that their products are "thoroughly
tested before being marketed" and on the other, the same industry rep
states they have "begun the first study to examine fragrance inhalation."
- Scents and sensitivities
What to know before buying a Valentine¼s Day perfume
By Francesca Lyman; Feb. 6, 2002; MSNBC CONTRIBUTOR
Notice, the industry says it tests its products . . . and then states it has BEGUN testing.
Can't have it both ways, me thinks! -- barb
Mirrored by EHN through kind permission of Ms. Francesca Lyman and MSNBC
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/FDApetition/flscents.htm
Formerly at http://www.msnbc.com/news/702445.asp
And, of course, do study the FDA Petition, in which EHN requests
that the FDA follow its regulations already on its books to require
warning labels on fragrances released to market without adequate
testing . . . and then write to the FDA! They will have to be overwhelmed
by letters from the public before they seriously consider following their
mission. Notice #2 "cosmetics are safe and properly labeled," and
#4 "As determined to be appropriate by the Secretary, carry out
paragraphs (1) through (3) in consultation with experts in science,
medicine, and public health, and in cooperation with consumers,
users, manufacturers, importers, packers, distributors and retailers
of regulated products." -- barb
- FDA's Mission
http://www.fda.gov/opacom/morechoices/mission.html
- THE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON COSMETIC PRODUCTS AND
NON-FOOD PRODUCTS INTENDED FOR CONSUMERS POSITION
STATEMENT CONCERNING FRAGRANCE CHEMICALS IN DETERGENTS
AND OTHER HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS [a PDF file]
http://europa.eu.int/comm/food/fs/sc/sccp/out171_en.pdf
Perfumes Pollute
See EHN's sections on:
Analysis Summary for FDA Citizens Petition 99P-1340
Chemicals identified by name and CAS number, with comments gleaned from MSDS. Plus
chemicals identified that also appear on the EPA's Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory
and on the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS). -- barb
http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/analysis.htm
Children's Environmental Health Coalition
Fragrance in Perfumes and Cosmetics
By Pamela Lundquist
"...Perfume consists mostly of chemicals called volatile organic compounds, or VOCs.
We smell fragrance chemicals because they become airborne due to their volatility.
While some may enjoy the wafting fragrance of a well-perfumed person passing by,
the chemicals may irritate others, especially in tight spaces, like an elevator. Perfume
can be a trigger for asthmatics and migraine and sinus headache sufferers, for example.
And children, since they are closer to the ground, are more likely to inhale VOCs as
they fall through the air. ..."
Note, search checnet.org for 'fragrance, perfume' and you'll get quite a list of articles. -- barb
http://www.checnet.org/healthehouse/education/articles-detail.asp?Main_ID=509
Ecology Center, Berkeley, California
The True Cost of Petroleum - Body Map
http://www.ecologycenter.org/erc/petroleum/body.html
"Fragrance: Emerging Health and Environmental Concerns"
By Betty Bridges, RN
http://www.fpinva.org/FragranceReview.htm
Fragrance-Free
http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/f.htm#Fragrance-Free
Fragrance-free Products
http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/f.htm#Care
Fragrance and Health
http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/f.htm#Health
Fragrance Industry
http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/f.htm#industry
Fragrance Info
http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/f.htm#Fragrance
Fragrance Pollution
http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/f.htm#Pollution
Health Care Without Harm - Fragrances
http://www.noharm.org/pesticidesCleaners/Fragrances
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
"Common Indoor Air Pollutants"
http://www.niehs.nih.gov/external/faq/indoor.htm
Norway - study on fragrance air pollution
Kallenborn R, et al. Gas chromatographic determination of synthetic musk compounds
in Norwegian air samples, Journal of Chromatography A, 846 (1999) 295-306
from "References concerning polycyclic musk fragrances"
http://www.usf.uni-osnabrueck.de/~schwartz/fragrances.html
Not Too Pretty
http://www.nottoopretty.org
Perfumers World's "Materials Used In Perfumery"
Take note of their right hand column
"...Many of these synthetic chemicals are identical to those found in nature,
hence the term Nature Identical."
And to that, my body says, Oh, yeah?!?!?!? -- barb
http://www.perfumersworld.com/chems/material.htm
POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants), just below
Peripheral Nueropathy
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
Includes info on PPCPs (Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products)
Note, you may be interested in also reading, "Cumulative Impact" by
Gregory C. Pratt; Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/2000/108-4/correspondence.html
Also see EHN's section on Flame Retardants
- American Chemical Society
http://www.acs.org/
- The American Prospect
PCBs All Over Again: Introducing an industrial chemical that's everywhere --
and that you've probably never heard of.
By Natasha Hunter
http://www.prospect.org/print-friendly/webfeatures/2002/05/hunter-na-05-22.html
- Environmental Media Service
POPs Fast Facts - Last update: April 23, 2002
Source: Physicians for Social Responsibility
http://www.ems.org/pops/sub2_pops.html
- Greenpeace
Politics . . . and POPs
http://archive.greenpeace.org/~toxics/html/content/pop3.html
- Identification and Evaluation of Unidentified Organic Contaminants
in the San Francisco Estuary
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:c5Zw444MOlIJ:www.sfei.org/rmp/reports/unidentified_contaminants/unidentifiedcont.pdf+%22Identification+and+Evaluation+of+Unidentified+Organic+Contaminants+in+the+San+Francisco+Estuary%22&hl=en&ie=UTF-8
or as a PDF: http://www.sfei.org/rmp/reports/unidentified_contaminants/unidentifiedcont.pdf
- Newswise
Survey Identifies Drugs Most Likely to be Found in the Environment
http://www.newswise.com/articles/2002/4/200DRUGS.ACS.html
- OSPAR Commission 2000 - Northeast Atlantic Region
4.5 Organic pollutants
http://www.ospar.org/eng/html/qsr2000/qec4.htm#4.5
- PANNA's POPs resources
http://www.panna.org/resources/pops.html
PEN Calls for Alternatives to Persistent Toxic Chemicals
by Bill Smedley, PEN's Dioxin/Incinerator Team Leader
The Pennsylvania Environmental Network
Supporting grassroots activists throughout PA
http://www.penweb.org/pennews/ASA.html
- Persistent, Bioaccumulative and Toxic Chemicals in Central and
Eastern European Countries - State-of-the-art Report
RECETOX - TOCOEN & Associates
http://recetox.chemi.muni.cz/PBTs/chapter1-3.htm
- Pharm Pollution - Excreted antibiotics can poison plants
By Janet Raloff; Science News Online; Week of June 29, 2002; Vol. 161, No. 26
" Patrick K. Jjemba was curious about the interplay of protozoa and the bacteria they eat
in soil. As part of his research, he began altering the organisms' environment. When
he applied large amounts of protozoan-killing antibiotics to dirt around the roots of
soybeans, Jjemba was amazed at what happened. The drugsãwidely used in human
and veterinary medicineãdid far more than subtly alter the balance of microbial
predators and prey. One drug stunted soybeans, and another killed the plants. ..."
http://www.sciencenews.org/20020629/bob7.asp
- Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products in the Environment:
Agents of Subtle Change?
Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 107, Supplement 6, December 1999
Excerpted from the full article:
"... Personal Care Products in the Environment ...
"...Personal care products differ from pharmaceuticals in that large amounts can be
directly introduced to the environment. For example, these products can be released
directly into recreational waters or volatilized into the air (e.g., musks). Because of this
direct release they can bypass possible degradation in POTWs. Also, in contrast to
pharmaceuticals, less is known about the effects of this broad and diverse class of
chemicals on nontarget organisms, especially aquatic organisms. Data are also limited
on the unexpected effects on humans. For example, common sunscreen ingredients,
2-phenylbenzimidazole-5-sulfonic acid and 2-phenylbenzimidazole, can effect DNA
breakage when exposed to UV-B (94).
The quantities of personal care products produced commercially can be very large. For
example, in Germany alone the combined annual output for eight separate categories
has been estimated (95) at 559,000 tons for 1993 (Table 3). A few examples are given
below of common personal care products that are ubiquitous pollutants and that
may possess substantial bioactivity. ..."
http://ehpnet1.niehs.nih.gov/docs/1999/suppl-6/907-938daughton/abstract.html
Full story: http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/members/1999/suppl-6/907-938daughton/daughton-full.html
- POPs
"Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are chemical substances that persist in the
environment, bioaccumulate through the food web, and pose a risk of causing adverse
effects to human health and the environment. With the evidence of long-range
transport of these substances to regions where they have never been used or produced
and the consequent threats they pose to the environment of the whole globe, the
international community has now, at several occasions called for urgent global actions
to reduce and eliminate releases of these chemicals."
http://irptc.unep.ch/pops/
- POPS: The United Nations Environment Program Treaty Process on
Persistent Organic Pollutants
Commonweal's interest in POPs reflects our broader interest in chemicals that pose a threat to
human and wildlife health, whether as carcinogens, teratogens, or developmental and
reproductive toxins (some but not all of which are also endocrine disrupters). This interest
is reflected nationally in our work with the Health Care Without Harm campaign.
http://www.commonweal.org/pops.html
- PubMed
- Determination of musks and other fragrance compounds at ng/L levels using
CLSA (closed loop stripping analysis) and GC/MS detection.
"... All samples contained differents musks at ng/l levels with the polycyclic musks
Galaxolide and Tonalide and both fragrances, Amberonne and Acetyl cedrene, being the
most abundant. These results suggest the importance of studying and controlling the
presence of these ubiquitous environmental compounds in water systems."
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15497838
- Society of Environmental Journalists
http://www.sej.org
- STOCKHOLM CONVENTION ON PERSISTENT ORGANIC POLLUTANTS (POPs)
"The Stockholm Convention is a global treaty to protect human health and the
environment from persistent organic pollutants (POPs). "
What about fragrance chemicals, folks? They, like pharmaceuticals, pollute downstream. -- barb
http://www.pops.int/
- Toledo Blade
http://www.toledoblade.com/
The following is from an excellent article that was allowed to remain online for a far
shorter period of time than other Michael Woods articles. No amount of my pleading with the
Blade to make it available to the public did any good. Finally, one staffer told me: Look it up in
the library. All credit is in place and I bring you this much of that excellent article so you
know to check your library for a copy of the entire article. -- barb
Synthetic musk linked to environmental risks
March 24, 1999
BY MICHAEL WOODS
BLADE SCIENCE EDITOR
"ANAHEIM, Calif.--Synthetic fragrances used in perfumes, soaps, laundry
detergents, fabric softeners, cosmetics, and scores of other consumer
products have become a new and unexpected group of environmental
contaminants, scientists said.
"The chemicals are accumulating in human fat tissue, blood, breast
milk, drinking water supplies, lakes and streams, fish and wildlife, and
elsewhere in the environment, according to scientists interviewed here.
They are presenting scientific reports at a national meeting of the
American Chemical Society.
Michael Woods goes on to quote Dr. Sebastian Kevekordes, University of Gottingen, Germany:
"I think there is reason for public concern about possible effects of these fragrances. One
compound, musk xylene, has carcinogenic, or cancer-causing, effects in laboratory mice."
Woods then tells us of another musk: "... musk ketone damages genes in animal experiments and
has other worrisome effects. "
The studies of synthetic musk in human breast tissue, and mother's milk, as well as winding
up downstream and in our general environment are from Europe and Japan. But they are used
even more heavily in the US. Check your personal care products, and your cleaning and
maintenance products . . . you'll not be told that they contain anything more than FRAGRANCE.
Caveat Emptor. Fragrances are concocted of from tens to hundreds of chemicals and are known
to contain irritants and sensitizers, as well as known or suspected carcinogens, hormone disrupters
(e.g., phthalates, neurotoxins and teratogens (adversely affecting embryonic and fetal development).
To check this out, visit FDA Petition - Docket Number 99P - 1340 (with contact information) -- barb
http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm
- U.S. Statement on Persistent Organic Pollutants Treaty - 11 December 2000
"(U.S. pleased with outcome of talks to control toxic chemicals)"
http://www.usembassy.it/file2000_12/alia/a0121107.htm
- USGS - Research on Emerging Water Quality Issues
http://toxics.usgs.gov/regional/emc.html
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
November 29, 2000
FACT SHEET: Overview on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs):
What The United States Has Done and What The Global Convention Will Do
Fragrance chemicals aren't even on their radar screen. -- barb
http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/global/environ/00112901.htm
Personal Environmental Control (PEC)
Chemical Injury Recovery Fund (CIRF)
http://www.palantir.ca/PEC/
PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS
Also see
Cosmetics
Fragrances
Shampoo
Soap
Dangerous chemicals in personal care products compromise health
NewsTarget Network; Posted Mar 7, 2005 PT by the Health Ranger (Mike Adams)
http://www.newstarget.com/005342.html
PHOTOSENSITIVITY AND OTHER ADVERSE REACTIONS TO SUNLIGHT
Richard F. Edlich, M.D., Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor of Plastic Surgery
and Professor of Biomedical Engineering
University of Virginia Health Systems
Martha J. Haines, B.S.N
Research Associate
Charlottesville, VA
http://www.liveabled.com/manual/photosensitivity.htm
Phthalates
Also see EHN's page on Endocrine [hormone] Disrupters
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/e.htm#Endocrine
Note: Please use your broswers FIND command to locate all info on phthalates on this page.
Also, I ask that you keep in mind that while phthalates are finally getting the press they
deserve, they are not the only harmful chemicals to be found through analyses of
modern, petrochemical-derived fragrances.
Used as plasticizers in toys, IVs, ..., AND used in fragrances! -- as found in 1998, and
made public by Betty Bridges, RN and Barb Wilkie, May 11, 1999 via analysis for EHN's
FDA Citizens' Petition. See, Analysis summary (table) for FDA Citizens' Petition 99P-1340.
Do notice the number of fragrance chemicals found through analysis that carry the message,
"The chemical, physical, and toxicological properties have not been thoroughly investigated."
Also notice the chemicals that appear on EPA's Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory
and the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS).
EHN's: http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/FDApetition/analysis.htm
Or, on Betty's Fragranced Products Information Network at
http://www.fpinva.org/Activist/FDAanalysis.htm
Petition Statement
"Diethyl Phthalate (CAS# 84-66-2) was positively identified as being present. Further study
showed the temperature needed to volatilize Diethyl Phthalate was much higher than skin
temperature. This indicates the compound would remain on the skin which would increase
potential for absorption. With concerns over diethyl phthalate as a hormone disrupter, use in
direct skin contact products, especially products that are used on a daily basis poses serious
health concerns. Phthalates are known to be lipophilic in nature and have the potential to
accumulate in fat tissue.
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/FDApetition/fdapetit.htm
April 2001FDA on Phthalates -- Phthalates and Cosmetic Products
Excerpted: " ... How do I know if there are phthalates in the cosmetics I use?
"Under the authority of the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act (FPLA), FDA requires an
ingredient declaration on the cosmetic products sold at the retail level to consumers.
Consumers can tell whether some products contain phthalates by reading the ingredient
declaration on the labels of such products.
"However, the regulations do not require the listing of the individual fragrance
ingredients; therefore, the consumer will not be able to determine from the ingredient
declaration if phthalates are present in a fragrance. Also, because the FPLA does not
apply to products used exclusively by professionals--for example, in salons--the
requirement for an ingredient declaration does not apply to these products. ..."
Now hear this! Most, if not all (remember there is no labeling required and it costs money to
have scents analyzed!), synthetic fragrances do contain phthalates because phthalates make the
petrochemically concocted scent last longer! If there was no worry about the various chemicals
used to make fragrances, then the industry would inform us. They'd be happy to do so. As it is,
the lobbying arm of the industry claims that their products and ingredients are "safe and
wholesome." NOW I ask: Where is the proof of that? Safe? WHOLESOME? ... when millions are
made ill, disabled and some prematurely dead because of petrochemically derived scents? Come
now! When will the FDA wake up to the letters re: EHN's FDA Petition 99P-1340, written by
WE, THE PEOPLE??? -- barb
http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-phth.html
July 10, 2002 --New study out on phthalates, available from Not Too Pretty
http://www.nottoopretty.org
Phthalates in fragrances make the scent last longer. Source: "Phthalates and Your Health"
by American Chemistry Council, Inc., July 10, 2002.
"When perfume fragrances are dissolved in either DEP or DMP,
they evaporate more slowly, making the scent linger longer."
To my mind, this proves once again the reasoning behind the fragrance industry's
public relations campaign calling for public awareness of one's "scent circle" is fallacious.
http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/s.htm#CIRCLE
FDA Petition Analyses
http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm#Analyses
Also see
Hormone Disrupters
Plastic Bottles, below
- Aubrey Organics
Prenatal Cosmetics & Personal Care
By C. Leigh Broadhurst, Ph.D.
"...That a doctor would've prescribed lindane to anyone -- much less someone who
is pregnant -- is criminal. Lindane is a cancer-causing, neurotoxic pesticide. ..."
Also, see Xenoestrogens in Cosmetics in this article. -- barb
http://www.aubrey-organics.com/articles/prenatal.cfm
Notice the assurances from links below. At the same time, think about how many times you
have read or heard that one-word non-explanation explanation, "UNEXPLAINED," when our
experts have been asked WHY? Why are there skyrocketing rates of asthma? Why are there
soaring rates of cancers? Why are there escalating cases of ADD and Autism? Why are there so
many reproductive, pregnancy and new born health problems? WHY???? -- barb
- Assurances by Industry
