WilsonDon'tWorryPost

=**Scented Products and Their (Ob)Noxious Secret**=



According to the Less Toxic Guide, since World War II, over 50,000 chemicals have entered daily use. Many of these chemicals are found in the products we use every day for personal hygiene, to look better, or to clean and freshen our homes. However, a lot of them are harmful and have been linked to cancer and others may disrupt the delicate endocrine system. In addition, still others may compromise our immune system or our central nervous system. [2] This post offers an overview on the dangers of scented products specifically. When referencing scented products, we usually mean the smells or odors from cosmetics (perfume, make-up, shampoo, deodorant, and so on) or from other products such as air fresheners and cleaners. Diapers, candles, aftershave, cologne, some brands of garbage bags, lotions, and candles are also susceptible. [3]
 * The Problem**

These chemicals affect the body by causing irritability, mental vagueness, muscle pain, asthma, bloating, joint aches, sinus pain, fatigue, sore throat, eye irritation, gastrointestinal problems, laryngitis, headaches, dizziness, swollen lymph nodes, coughing, and burning or itching skin irritations. Even more harmful are some chemicals such as Acetaldehyde, which is a carcinogen, and Toluene, which is a neurotoxin that can result in loss of muscle control, brain damage, headaches, memory loss, and problems associated with speech, hearing, and vision. In fact, most of the chemicals found in perfume are derived from petrochemicals and about 95 percent of the chemicals used to make perfume come from fossil fuels, which is also dangerous to the environment when being extracted and transported. [6]

Currently, manufacturers are not required to disclose the ingredients used in fragrances, or in laundry products. Basically, if they’re coming out of a smokestack or tailpipe, they’re regulated, but if they’re coming out of a dryer vent, or a lip gloss tube, they’re not. [1]

The people affected by these scented products the most significantly are the consumers. Other parties that have a vested interest in this subject include the government who come up with policies, environmental agencies that are supposed to regulate and evaluate these risks, and the manufacturers and researchers who produce these products.
 * The Stakeholders **

** Implications **  If these chemicals get into the environment through wastewater, sewage, or evaporation, they can dangerously affect fish via their reproductive cycle or just their numbers, and can contaminate the water supply that humans drink from. [8,6] If they get into the drinking water supply, they can cause serious side effects. There have been numerous cases in which just exposure to scented air has induced seizures in kids. [1] It can also make those who have allergies, migraines, environmental sensitivities, and chronic heart or lung disease very sick, in addition to the effects listed in “The Problem”.

** The Solution ** The most important initial step for a large-scale solution would be for policy makers to require manufacturers to list all ingredients used so that we have a better chance to understand potential toxicity and health effects.[7] Chemical engineers and scientists employed by these product manufacturers should also be required to know what dangers they are exposing the population to and should be trained to not continue this practice.

In the meantime, consumers should avoid products that are known to have VOC’s or are “unnaturally” scented (meaning that the scents are from chemicals). Overall awareness about the issue should be raised so that people not only boycott scented products, but also mitigate policy makers to create stronger policies. A guide to less toxic products is available [|here][2].

**Bibliography** 1. Gallagher, Lisa, Amy Davis, and Ian MacGrego. "Study Finds Scented Laundry Products Emit Hazardous Chemicals Through Dryer Vents." //Eponline.com//. Environmental Protection, 24 Aug. 2011. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. . //2. Guide to Less Toxic Products//. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. . 3. "The Harmful Effects of Scented Products, by Robin Barrett." //Environmental Health Association of NS Home//. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. . 4. Now!, Paying. "Scented Products Carry a Whiff of Danger - Wild Green - Utne Reader." //Utne Reader: Alternative Coverage of Politics, Culture, and New Ideas//. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. <http://www.utne.com/Wild-Green/Scented-Products-Carry-a-Whiff-of-Danger.aspx>. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">5. "Perfume." //Beauty, Your Health, and the Environment//. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. <http://www.kinnelonconserves.net/Perfume.html>. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**6. Potera, Carol. "Environmental Health Perspectives: Scented Products Emit a Bouquet of VOCs." //Environmental Health Perspectives: Monthly Journal of Peer-Reviewed Research and News on the Impact of the Environment on Human Health//. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, 11 Jan. 2011. Web. 13 Sept. 2011.** **<http://ehp03.niehs.nih.gov/article/fetchArticle.action?articleURI=info:doi/10.1289/ehp.119-a16>.** <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">7. "Scent Free Awareness." //Mount Saint Vincent University: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada//. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. <http://www.msvu.ca/en/home/aboutus/Sustainability/scent_free/default.aspx>. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">8. Sohn, Emily. "'Non-Toxic' Scented Products Emit Toxic Chemicals : Discovery News." //Discovery News: Earth, Space, Tech, Animals, History, Adventure, Human, Autos//. Web. 13 Sept. 2011. <http://news.discovery.com/human/scented-product-toxic-chemicals.html>.