The Toxic Truth About Fragrance Chemicals

Fragrance is a mixture of dozens, sometimes hundreds, of chemicals. According to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), there are more than 3,000 fragrance chemicals in use today, with other sources claiming there are over 10,000. Many of these chemicals are linked to chronic health issues, including cancer, hormone disruption, and reproductive harm.

The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) lists almost 3,059 different chemicals used in fragrance formulations

Many fragrance materials can cause sensitization and allergies, respiratory diseases, and irritation, and can contain carcinogens, endocrine disrupters, neurotoxic chemicals, and environmental toxicants. Some fragrance ingredients are toxic chemicals that can cause a range of health harms, and exposure to some of these substances can lead to a wide range of health problems.

The US Food & Drug Administration has only banned or restricted 11 of these chemicals. Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2019 (H.R. 4296) is the only bill calling for full fragrance ingredient disclosure to consumers, manufacturers and to the FDA. The bill also requires supply chain transparency and industry data sharing to address the lack of safety data available for fragrance ingredients.

Some fragrance ingredients are toxic chemicals that can cause a range of health harms

According to the International Fragrance Association, there are more than 3,500 fragrance chemicals in use today, though some sources state that there are almost 3,059 different chemicals used in fragrance formulations. Many of these chemicals are toxic and can cause a range of health harms. Manufacturers aren't required to list fragrance ingredients on the product label, but exposure to some of these substances can lead to a wide range of health problems.

Some fragrance ingredients are linked to chronic health issues, like cancer, hormone disruption and reproductive harm, or acute health issues like asthma. Fragrance chemicals can also cause allergic reactions in kids and adults. Phthalates, for example, are chemicals that help the scents last longer, but they can harm the reproductive system. Another fragrance chemical, styrene, is linked to cancer.

Some of the toxic fragrance ingredients to avoid include acetaldehyde, benzophenone, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), benzyl salicylate, chloromethane (methyl chloride), diethyl phthalate (DEP), essential oil mixtures, formaldehyde, MEA, DEA, TEA – ethanolamine’s, methanol, oxybenzone, and propylparaben.

The Breast Cancer Prevention Partners’ 2018 report *Right to Know: Exposing Toxic Fragrance Chemicals in Beauty, Personal Care and Cleaning Products* found that fragrance chemicals made up the vast majority of the chemicals linked to harmful chronic health effects in the beauty and personal care products tested.

Many fragrance materials can cause sensitization and allergies, respiratory diseases, and irritation

Fragrance can be a mixture of dozens, sometimes hundreds, of chemicals. According to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA), there are almost 3,059 different chemicals used in fragrance formulations, while other sources claim there are more than 3,500 fragrance chemicals in use today.

Many fragrance materials can cause sensitisation and allergies, respiratory diseases, and irritation. They can also contain carcinogens, endocrine disrupters, neurotoxic chemicals, and environmental toxicants. Chemicals of concern in fragrance are linked to allergies, cancer, birth defects, infertility, and reproductive harm.

Some of the ingredients to avoid include acetaldehyde, benzophenone, butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), benzyl salicylate, chloromethane (methyl chloride), diethyl phthalate (DEP), essential oil mixtures, formaldehyde, MEA, DEA, TEA (ethanolamines), methanol, oxybenzone, and propylparaben.

The health risks associated with fragrance chemicals are significant, and it is important to be aware of the potential dangers when using products containing these substances.

Chemicals of concern in fragrance are linked to allergies, cancer, birth defects, and infertility

There are almost 3,059 different chemicals used in fragrance formulations, according to the International Fragrance Association (IFRA). However, some sources state that there are more than 3,500 fragrance chemicals in use today, while others claim that a fragrance can be a mixture of up to 100 different chemicals.

Many of these chemicals are linked to chronic health issues, such as allergies, cancer, birth defects, infertility, and endocrine disruption. Fragrances can also cause acute health issues like asthma, a burning sensation, nausea, vomiting, and damage to the liver and kidneys.

The Breast Cancer Prevention Partners (BCPP) conducted a test on beauty, personal care, and cleaning products. They found that one out of every four fragrance ingredients detected in their tests was linked to cancer, birth defects, respiratory harm, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, or aquatic toxicity. Some products even had a higher percentage of toxic fragrance chemicals than the listed ingredients.

The US Food & Drug Administration has only banned or restricted 11 of the over 10,000 chemicals used to formulate cosmetics. Rep. Jan Schakowsky's Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2019 (H.R. 4296) is the only bill that calls for full fragrance ingredient disclosure to consumers, manufacturers, and the FDA.

The US Food & Drug Administration has only banned or restricted 11 of the over 10,000 chemicals used to formulate cosmetics

The International Fragrance Association (IFRA) lists almost 3,059 different chemicals used in fragrance formulations, while other sources claim there are over 3,500 fragrance chemicals in use today. Fragrances can be a mixture of dozens or even hundreds of chemicals, with some sources claiming there are over 100 different chemicals in a fragrance. Many of these chemicals are linked to chronic health issues, such as cancer, hormone disruption and reproductive harm, or acute health issues like asthma.

The lack of regulation around fragrance chemicals is concerning, given the potential health risks associated with their use. Rep. Jan Schakowsky’s Safe Cosmetics and Personal Care Products Act of 2019 (H.R. 4296) is the only bill calling for full fragrance ingredient disclosure to consumers, manufacturers and to the FDA. The bill also requires supply chain transparency and industry data sharing to address the lack of safety data available for fragrance ingredients. By passing this bill, the FDA can swiftly reduce our exposure to toxic chemicals.

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