Synthetic Scents: Harming Our Children's Health

Synthetic fragrances are found in a wide range of household products, from candles to cleaning supplies, and can have a detrimental impact on children's health. The effects of synthetic fragrances on children can range from developmental delays to poorer adaptive function, including socialization, communication and motor skills. They can also cause hyperactivity, impulsivity, and poorer behaviour. The EPA suggests that indoor air quality is up to 100 times more toxic than outdoor air quality, and as children spend a lot of time indoors, this is a cause for concern.

How synthetic fragrances can cause neurotoxicity in children

Synthetic fragrances can cause neurotoxicity in children in a variety of ways. Firstly, they can interfere with neurotransmitter release and inhibit neurotransmitter enzymes. They can also cause dysregulation of intracellular signalling in neurons and downregulation of gene expression. These effects at the molecular level can result in developmental delays, poorer adaptive function (including socialization, communication, and motor skills), hyperactivity, impulsivity, and poorer behaviour (such as attention, externalization, emotional control, aggression, and depression).

Additionally, synthetic fragrances can act as allergens and respiratory irritants, especially for children with asthma. Their developing lungs are smaller and more vulnerable, and their quicker breathing rate means greater exposure over time.

The EPA suggests that indoor air quality is up to 100 times more toxic than outdoor air quality, which is concerning given that most people spend a significant amount of time indoors. Synthetic fragrances can be found in a range of everyday household products, including laundry detergents, cleaning supplies, insect repellents, toilet cleaners, paint removers, deodorants, and perfumes.

Furthermore, even products specifically designed for use in young children, such as baby personal care and household products (PCHPs), are not always free from mixtures of fragrances and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A study found approximately seven hundred VOCs emitted collectively from around forty baby PCHPs, of which over two hundred and twenty are potentially hazardous.

The impact of synthetic fragrances on children's indoor air quality

Indoor air quality is already up to 100 times more toxic than outdoor air quality, and synthetic fragrances in personal care and household products can further impact this. Even products destined for use on young children are not free from mixtures of fragrances and VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in their formulations.

The predominant VOCs emitted from baby products include limonene, acetaldehyde, ethanol, α-pinene, linalool, β-myrcene, acetone, and β-pinene. These VOCs can have a range of effects on children's health. For example, they can cause developmental delays, poorer adaptive function (socialisation, communication, motor skills), hyperactivity, impulsivity, and poorer behaviour (attention, externalisation, emotional control, aggression, and depression).

Children are especially susceptible to the effects of synthetic fragrances because their developing lungs are smaller and more vulnerable, and their quicker breathing rate means greater exposure over time.

Furthermore, synthetic fragrances can be found in a range of everyday household products, including laundry detergents, cleaning supplies, insect repellents, toilet cleaner, paint removers, deodorants, and perfume. This means that children can be exposed to these fragrances in multiple indoor environments, which can further impact their indoor air quality and health.

The presence of hazardous VOCs in baby products

A study found that approximately seven hundred VOCs were emitted from around forty baby products, with over two hundred and twenty of these compounds being potentially hazardous. The predominant VOCs emitted included limonene, acetaldehyde, ethanol, α-pinene, linalool, β-myrcene, acetone, and β-pinene. These compounds can have detrimental effects on children's health, with only a few baby products disclosing detailed descriptions of these constituents' VOCs on their labels and safety data sheets.

The effects of exposure to these synthetic fragrances can result in developmental delays, poorer adaptive function (including socialization, communication, and motor skills), and more significant hyperactivity and impulsivity in children. Additionally, exposure can lead to poorer behaviour, such as attention issues, externalization, emotional control problems, aggression, and depression.

The EPA suggests that indoor air quality can be up to 100 times more toxic than outdoor air quality. With most people spending a significant amount of time indoors, it is crucial to address the presence of hazardous VOCs in baby products and take steps to improve indoor air quality.

The link between synthetic fragrances and asthma in children

Synthetic fragrances can be found in a range of everyday household products, including laundry detergents, cleaning supplies, insect repellents, toilet cleaner, paint removers, deodorants, perfume, and candles. These fragrances can pollute indoor air quality, which is already up to 100 times more toxic than outdoor air quality.

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of synthetic fragrances because their lungs are still developing. Their smaller lungs and quicker breathing rate mean greater exposure over time.

Synthetic fragrances can cause a range of health issues in children, including developmental delay, poorer adaptive function (socialisation, communication, and motor skills), hyperactivity, impulsivity, and poorer behaviour (attention, externalisation, emotional control, aggression, and depression).

One of the most concerning health risks associated with synthetic fragrances is their potential to trigger asthma attacks in children. Asthma is a condition that affects the airways, causing them to become narrow and inflamed, leading to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Synthetic fragrances can act as allergens and respiratory irritants, triggering asthma attacks and making it difficult for children with asthma to breathe.

It is important for parents and caregivers to be aware of the potential risks associated with synthetic fragrances and to choose fragrance-free or naturally fragranced products whenever possible.

The potential for synthetic fragrances to act as allergens and respiratory irritants

Synthetic fragrances can have a detrimental impact on children's health. They can act as allergens and respiratory irritants, causing a range of issues from asthma to brain degeneracy.

The EPA suggests that indoor air quality is up to 100 times more toxic than outdoor air quality, and synthetic fragrances in household products are a significant contributor to this. These fragrances can be found in laundry detergents, cleaning supplies, insect repellents, toilet cleaner, paint removers, deodorants, perfume, and candles.

One of the most vulnerable groups to the effects of synthetic fragrances is children. Their developing lungs are smaller and more vulnerable, and their quicker breathing rate means greater exposure over time. In addition, children are more susceptible to the neurotoxic effects of synthetic fragrances, which can interfere with neurotransmitter release and inhibit neurotransmitter enzymes. This can lead to developmental delays, poorer adaptive function (socialization, communication, and motor skills), hyperactivity, and impulsivity.

Furthermore, an analysis of baby personal care and household products (PCHPs) found approximately seven hundred volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted collectively, of which over two hundred and twenty are categorized as potentially hazardous. These VOCs included limonene, acetaldehyde, ethanol, α-pinene, linalool, β-myrcene, acetone, and β-pinene. Only a few baby products disclosed detailed descriptions of these constituents' VOCs on the labels and safety data sheets.

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