Katrina Rosales
Fragrances are found in a wide range of everyday products, including perfumes, cosmetics, and bath and shower products. While some of these chemicals are safe for our health and the environment, others have never been tested for safety. According to scientists and studies, some of these chemicals are even known to cause cancer, hormone disruption, and reproductive harm. The single word 'fragrance' on product labels can cover dozens or even hundreds of chemicals, many of which are linked to adverse health effects. The lack of transparency and regulation in the fragrance industry has raised concerns about the potential impact of these chemicals on human health, leading to calls for stricter safety standards and full ingredient disclosure.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of chemicals used in fragrances | 3,000-4,000 |
| Fragrance chemicals linked to health issues | Cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption, neural disturbances (e.g. headaches, depression, migraines), skin and airway hypersensitivity, polycystic ovary syndrome, gynecomastia, liver and thyroid toxicity, reproductive problems, and teratogenic toxicity effects |
| Cancer-causing chemicals found in fragrances | Styrene, benzophenone, ethyl acrylate, methyl eugenol, myrcene, pulegone, pyridine |
| Health issues linked to fragrance VOCs | Asthma, low birth weight |
| Fragrance chemicals of particular concern | Endocrine disruptors, phthalates |
| Products that may contain fragrance chemicals | Personal care products (e.g. lip gloss, body wash, cosmetics, perfumes, colognes), household care products (e.g. cleaning products, detergents, air fresheners), candles |
| Populations vulnerable to fragrance chemical exposure | Children, women (especially women of color), custodians, domestic workers, cosmetologists |
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What You'll Learn
Fragrance chemicals are linked to cancer
The fragrance industry uses approximately 4,000 chemicals to create scents for personal care products, cleaning products, perfumes, and home care products. The single word 'fragrance' or 'parfum' on a product's label can represent dozens or even hundreds of chemicals. Many of these chemicals are linked to harmful effects on human health, including cancer.
A 2018 study by the Silent Spring Institute found 45 endocrine-disrupting or asthma-causing chemicals in six types of African American hair products, with a fragrance marker called diethyl phthalate among the highest concentrations. Higher chemical exposures, especially during childhood, could be linked to certain health disparities, and Black women and children have been found to have higher levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
In 2018, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) removed seven flavoring chemicals from its approved food additives list after it was alerted that they were known to cause cancer. One of these chemicals was styrene, a chemical building block used to produce a wide range of products, including fragrances. However, the FDA stated that exposures to these chemicals through food were not considered high enough to cause cancer in humans. Despite this, fragrance manufacturers continue to use these chemicals, and the lack of regulation in the fragrance industry means that consumers are often unaware of the potential risks.
In 2021, US Representatives Jan Schakowsky and Doris Matsui introduced the Cosmetic Fragrance and Flavor Ingredient Right to Know Act, which would require companies to disclose fragrance and flavor ingredients that are harmful to human health or the environment on their product labels and websites. This legislation aims to empower consumers to make safer and more informed decisions and enable regulators to better ensure the safety of cosmetic products.
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The fragrance industry is largely self-regulated
The use of fragrances has been linked to various health issues, including cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption, and other chronic health problems. Fragrance or 'parfum' can consist of any of the approximately 4,000 chemicals used by the fragrance industry to create scents for personal care products, cleaning products, perfumes, and home care products.
The "fragrance loophole" in federal labeling laws allows ingredients added for scent to be listed under the generic term "fragrance" without disclosing specific chemicals, making it difficult for consumers to make informed choices. This lack of transparency has been criticized by organizations like Women's Voices for the Earth, which released a report titled "Unpacking the Fragrance Industry: Policy Failures, the Trade Secret Myth, and Public Health." The report highlights the failure of the industry to prioritize the safety of consumers and the environment, instead focusing on trade secrets and self-regulation.
While IFRA's Transparency List discloses approximately 3,000-4,000 ingredients used in the industry, the safety standards are voluntary, and there is little to no compliance verification. This has resulted in a situation where chemicals known to be toxic or carcinogenic are not adequately regulated. For example, styrene, a chemical used in fragrances, has been confirmed by an expert panel to cause cancer.
To address these concerns, some states in the US have taken steps towards stricter regulation. For instance, California passed the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act, which will ban 24 toxic ingredients from beauty and personal care products sold in the state starting in 2025. The US government has also recently expanded the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) authority over beauty and personal care products, allowing for mandatory recalls of unsafe products. However, there is still a need for more comprehensive and stringent regulations to ensure consumer safety and protect public health.
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Fragrance chemicals are often undisclosed
The fragrance industry uses approximately 4,000 chemicals to create scents for personal care products, cleaning products, perfumes, and home care products. However, these individual chemicals are often not disclosed on product labels, as fragrances are considered a "trade secret". Instead, the single word "fragrance" or "parfum" is used to encompass the dozens or even hundreds of chemicals used in a product. This lack of transparency makes it difficult for consumers to know exactly what chemicals they are being exposed to.
The International Fragrance Association (IFRA), an industry trade group, publishes a "Transparency List" of ingredients that perfumers use in formulas for consumer products. However, this list does not provide specific details on which chemicals are used in which products. As a result, consumers are left in the dark about the exact composition of the fragrances they are using.
The lack of disclosure in the fragrance industry is particularly concerning given the potential health risks associated with fragrance chemicals. Some fragrance chemicals have been linked to cancer, birth defects, hormone disruption, and other chronic health problems. For example, styrene, a chemical used in fragrances, has been confirmed by an expert panel to be carcinogenic. Other chemicals of concern include phthalates, which are known endocrine disruptors, and rose ketones, which have been shown to increase tumor burden in mouse models of prostate cancer.
The health risks posed by fragrance chemicals are further exacerbated by the lack of regulation in the fragrance industry. The industry is largely self-regulated, and there is no federal or global authority that regulates the safety of fragrance chemicals. This means that potentially harmful chemicals can be used without proper safety evaluations. As a result, consumers are unknowingly exposed to these chemicals, which can have both immediate and long-term health consequences.
To protect themselves from potential harm, consumers are advised to choose fragrance-free products or products from companies that have publicly committed to full fragrance ingredient disclosure. By being more selective about the products they use, consumers can reduce their exposure to potentially harmful chemicals and take control of their health.
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Fragrance chemicals can cause endocrine disruption
The word "fragrance" on a label can represent a mix of hundreds of ingredients, many of which are undisclosed. Fragrance chemicals can cause endocrine disruption, which can lead to serious chronic health issues, including cancer, birth defects, respiratory harm, neurotoxicity, and hormone disruption.
Endocrine disruptors or endocrine-disrupting chemicals/compounds are chemicals that can interfere with the endocrine system, a network of glands in the body that produce hormones to help cells communicate. The major endocrine glands in humans are the thyroid gland and the adrenal glands. Endocrine disruption can cause hormone imbalance and impact almost every cell, organ, and function in the body.
Phthalates, one class of chemicals commonly found in fragrances, are known to disrupt hormones. Other endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in fragrances include BPA, parabens, propylene or butylene glycols, silicones, talc, carbon black, sulfates, PEGs, TEA, DEA, GMOs, artificial dyes, and synthetic fragrances. These chemicals can be found in a wide range of personal care and household products, including skincare, makeup, lipsticks, shaving creams, deodorants, perfumes, cleaning products, diapers, and garbage bags.
The fragrance industry uses approximately 4,000 chemicals to formulate scents for personal care products, cleaning products, perfumes, and home care products. The lack of federal regulation and ingredient transparency in the fragrance industry makes it difficult for consumers to avoid potentially harmful chemicals. However, choosing fragrance-free products or products from companies that commit to full ingredient disclosure can help reduce the risk of exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.
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Fragrance chemicals can cause reproductive issues
Fragrances are formulated using approximately 4,000 chemicals, which are used in personal care products, cleaning products, perfumes, and home care products. The single word 'fragrance' or 'parfum' on a product label can represent dozens or even hundreds of chemicals.
Additionally, fragrance chemicals can contribute to problems with fertility, pregnancy, and other aspects of reproduction. For example, studies have shown that exposure to endocrine disruptors, which are commonly found in personal care products, can interfere with hormonal activity. This includes chemicals like oxybenzone, which is linked to hormone disruption and low birth weight in babies, and homosalate, a hormone-disrupting UVB blocker.
Furthermore, fragrance chemicals can impact men's fertility as well. Phthalates can disrupt the production of sperm (spermatogenesis), leading to a reduced sperm count. High concentrations of these chemicals in couples undergoing IVF treatments have been associated with an increased risk of miscarriage and failed IVF procedures.
To avoid exposure to potentially harmful fragrance chemicals, it is recommended to choose fragrance-free products or opt for products that disclose all fragrance ingredients. Natural fragrances derived from organic sources or products with certifications like Ecocert, which prohibits the use of synthetic fragrances, are also safer alternatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, fragrances can be cancerous. A 2018 report from Women's Voices for the Earth (WVE) flagged more than 1,200 fragrance chemicals currently in use as potential or known "chemicals of concern". These include seven carcinogens, 15 chemicals prohibited from use in cosmetics in the EU, and others cited in various international warning lists.
Some examples of cancer-causing chemicals in fragrances include styrene, benzophenone, ethyl acrylate, methyl eugenol, myrcene, pulegone, and pyridine.
The risks of using fragrances containing cancer-causing chemicals include an increased risk of developing cancer and other chronic health issues. Additionally, fragrance chemicals can cause neural disturbances (e.g., headaches, depression, and migraines), skin and airway hypersensitivity, reproductive problems, and endocrine disruption.
