Perfume Contains Secret Chemicals – Study Finds

On May 12th, 2010, the Ottawa Citizen published Perfume Contains Secret Chemicals – Study Finds. The article highlights a study, conducted by Toronto-based Environmental Defence and California’s Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, that illustrates that many brand name perfumes and colognes contain undisclosed chemicals not listed on the labels that are associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions which may have some long term negative health affects including the onset of asthma, cancer and birth defects.

According to the article (http://bit.ly/aRYmgk), the study illustrates that out of the 17 fragrances tested, 91 ingredients were identified by laboratory tests or product labels. However, out of these ingredients 38 were found not be listed on the labels of these products with an average of 14 so-called “secret” chemicals per product.

However, other than illustrating that under Canadian cosmetic regulations (in effect since 2004) companies may lump intentional fragrance ingredients under the generic term "parfum” leaving many ingredients undisclosed, this article does not provide any useful information concerning how these chemicals may be harmful or which of the 17 products tested are available in Canada. This information would be useful for those who may be using these products.

According to the study, Not so Sexy: The Health Risk of Secret Chemicals in Fragrance (http://bit.ly/aRGpBn), only 4 of the 17 fragrances tested are available in Canada. They are:
•    American Eagle Seventy Seven;
•    Acqua Di Gio by Giorgio Armani;
•    Light Blue by Dolce and Gabbana;
•    and Quick Silver (for men)

Interestingly, these four products had some of the highest scores in terms of number of total chemicals, unlabeled “secret” chemicals, multiple sensitizing chemicals (chemicals known to trigger allergic reactions, such as asthma, wheezing, headaches and contact dermatitis) and multiple hormone disruptors (chemicals known for mimicking hormones which may impair basic body functions like tissue growth and repair which may increase the risk of some cancers).
The study states on page 2 of the report:
Acqua Di Gio contained the highest number of total chemicals and the highest number of sensitizing chemicals, and American Eagle Seventy Seven contained the highest number of secret chemicals. Quick Silver (for men) was tied with two others for the highest number hormone disrupting chemicals.

This study is quite concerning and provides a glance at how little is known about the many fragrant ingredients used in every day products including shampoos, lotions, bath products, cleaning sprays, air fresheners and laundry and dishwasher detergents. Some research (cited in the study) has shown that many of these ingredients commonly found in these products may cause allergic reactions, asthma cancer and birth defects. But, this research leaves a lot to be desired in proving the extent to which these ingredients may be harmful. Very little funding or research is dedicated towards studying how we react to multiple combinations of these ingredients.

There is also a lack of proper regulation to ensure that we know which ingredients may be questionable and which products contain these ingredients. This information should be provided without question so we can make rational choices in terms of which products we feel safe to use.

If I knew which ingredients were questionable and which products contained these ingredients, I would think twice before purchasing and using them. For example, I have been known to wear Light Blue by Dolce and Gabana. However, after reading this study, I am going to think twice before wearing this cologne.