Heidi Norton
Fragrance sensitivity is a common issue, with symptoms including sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, nausea, dizziness, and skin irritation. Research has also shown that some chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact the nervous system, hormones, and cortisol, leading to anxiety, heart palpitations, and depression. With the average commercial perfume containing up to 14 undisclosed chemicals, it is important to be aware of the potential impact of fragrances on our health and well-being.
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What You'll Learn
Perfume's impact on mental health
Fragrances have been used for thousands of years to deliver a variety of benefits, especially for the physical and psychological well-being of humans. The sense of smell plays a crucial role in influencing the physiological effects of mood, stress, and working capacity.
Perfumes are volatile organic compounds with usually pleasant odors. When you inhale a fragrance, it directly interacts with the limbic system, the part of your brain that governs emotions, memory, and behavior. This is why certain notes, like citrus or vanilla, have proven effects on reducing stress, boosting happiness, and improving focus.
Research has shown that certain scents can help reduce stress, anxiety, and even depression. Essential oils like lavender, chamomile, and sandalwood are known for their calming properties, while citrus scents like lemon and orange can help boost energy and improve mood.
However, it is important to note that some synthetic fragrances can negatively impact your nervous system, hormones, and cortisol, leading to feelings of anxiety, heart palpitations, and even depression. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has admitted that poor air quality, poisoned by chemicals, contributes to neurological ailments, and some of the chemicals found in perfumes are linked to these issues.
Overall, while the power of fragrance can be beneficial for mental health and well-being, it is important to be aware of the potential risks associated with synthetic fragrances and to prioritize natural scents when possible.
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Respiratory issues caused by perfume
Fragrances can contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other toxic chemicals, which can be irritating and disruptive to our airways. These toxic chemicals, such as diethyl phthalate (DEP) and synthetic musks, are not disclosed to the buyer and can cause respiratory issues. Symptoms of fragrance sensitivity include sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, nausea, dizziness, and skin irritation. Fragrance sensitivity occurs when the airways are irritated by ingredients or chemicals in natural or manufactured scents, and it can affect anyone, although it is more likely if you have asthma or allergies.
In some countries, fragrance sensitivity is considered a disabling health condition covered by disability legislation, affecting approximately 9.5% of the population. Research has linked the chemicals in perfume to short-term memory loss, central nervous system disorders, and severe depression due to alterations in the brain's biochemistry.
Additionally, the scented ingredients in perfumes are infused into alcohols, which act as preservatives and stabilizers for the desired scent. These alcohols are toxic and can cause symptoms if swallowed in large amounts. Exposure to topical fragrances has been linked to allergies, skin sensitivities, and other harmful effects over time.
To manage fragrance sensitivity, it is generally recommended to avoid offending fragrances by using unscented products, decorating with fake flowers, and banning cigarettes indoors. It is also important to be mindful of others' sensitivities and to speak up when necessary. While everyday exposure to fragrances is typically not a health issue for people without underlying diseases, those with allergies, sensitivities, or pre-existing conditions like asthma or COPD should avoid highly fragranced environments.
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Fragrance sensitivity
The chemicals found in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact the nervous system, hormones, and cortisol levels, leading to or exacerbating feelings of anxiety, heart palpitations, and depression. Research by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics has linked the chemicals in perfume to short-term memory loss, central nervous system disorders, and severe depression due to alterations in brain biochemistry. Additionally, synthetic musks, found in most perfumes and laundry products, can accumulate in humans, animals, and the environment, causing hormone disruption.
The health effects of fragrance sensitivity can be immediate and severe, sometimes resulting in missed workdays or even job loss due to illness from fragrance exposure. In some countries, fragrance sensitivity is recognized as a disabling health condition covered under disability legislation. To manage fragrance sensitivity, avoiding offending fragrances is typically the best approach. This may involve using unscented personal care products, opting for fake flowers, and banning cigarettes indoors. When exposure is unavoidable or symptoms persist, over-the-counter medications can provide relief, and it is essential to take asthma or allergy medications if symptoms flare up.
While there is no reliable diagnostic test for fragrance allergies, scent-free or scent-reduction policies have been implemented in various workplaces and institutions to accommodate individuals with sensitivities. These policies encourage individuals to refrain from wearing perfumed products or using strongly scented cleaning agents. It is important to note that fragrance sensitivity can significantly impact an individual's quality of life and should not be dismissed as merely a preference for certain scents.
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Hormone disruption caused by perfume chemicals
The fragrance industry is largely self-regulated, and there is very little federal regulation on perfume in the US and Europe. This means that it is not a requirement for manufacturers to disclose all the ingredients in their perfumes, and they can simply label their products as "fragrance" even if there are numerous different chemicals in the blend.
Some of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact hormones, leading to or exacerbating feelings of anxiety, heart palpitations, and even depression. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics discovered that the average commercial perfume contains fourteen secret chemicals not listed on the ingredients label, including those associated with hormone disruption and those that can accumulate in human fatty tissue, including breast milk.
Some specific chemicals that are known to be endocrine disruptors include:
- Octoxynols and Nonoxynols: emulsifiers known to affect hormone balance and cause allergic reactions.
- Synthetic Musk Compounds: chemicals that mimic the natural scent of musk, known to be carcinogenic and create endocrine disruption and allergic reactions.
- Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): gasses, like formaldehyde, emitted from perfumes and other products. Short-term exposure can cause headaches, dizziness, or irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, while long-term exposure can increase the risk of cancer.
- Diethyl Phthalate (DEP): used as a denaturing agent and also to increase the longevity of wear. It is a known hormone disruptor.
- Synthetic musks: found in almost all perfumes and laundry products. They bioaccumulate in humans, animals, and the environment, and cause hormone disruption.
Endocrine disruptors are natural or man-made chemicals that may mimic or interfere with the body's hormones, known as the endocrine system. The endocrine system is made up of a group of glands, including the pituitary gland, thyroid, ovaries, and testes. These glands secrete hormones that enter the circulatory system and bind with receptors in various parts of the body, signaling to your organs and tissues what to do and when to do it. The main issue with endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is that they can "trick a receptor by mimicking a hormone," which can then inappropriately turn on a hormone response or block activation, preventing appropriate hormonal processes in the body.
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The economic impact of fragrance sensitivity
Fragrance sensitivity is a health condition characterised by adverse health effects from exposure to fragranced consumer products. Fragranced products can include air fresheners, deodorizers, cleaning supplies, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, scented candles, soaps, personal care products, and colognes, to name a few.
The economic costs of fragrance sensitivity include not only lost productivity but also the associated healthcare costs and disability benefits. In addition, businesses may face costs associated with accommodating employees with fragrance sensitivity, such as providing fragrance-free workplaces or products.
The fragrance industry is a significant part of the global cosmetics market, with a growing demand for fragrances in emerging markets such as Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. Despite economic downturns, the fragrance industry has shown resilience and growth, with consumers still seeking luxury experiences. This highlights the enduring appeal of fragrances as a form of personal luxury, even in times of economic uncertainty.
However, with an increasing prevalence of fragrance sensitivity, there may be a shift towards fragrance-free products or natural, organic alternatives. This could impact the fragrance industry economically, as consumers become more aware of the health and environmental impacts of fragranced products.
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Frequently asked questions
Research shows that some of the chemicals used in synthetic fragrances can negatively impact your nervous system, hormones, and cortisol, leading to anxiety, heart palpitations, and even depression.
Fragrance sensitivity can cause symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes, nausea, dizziness, skin redness, irritation, and a prickly rash. These symptoms generally occur within minutes of exposure to a scent.
The average commercial perfume contains fourteen secret chemicals not disclosed on the ingredients label, including diethyl phthalate (DEP) and synthetic musks, which are known hormone disruptors.
