Perfume is among the top five human allergens in the world. It severely damages both humans and domestic and wild animals.
Fragranced products have been linked to a variety of negative human health and societal effects in the general population, especially in sensitive sub-populations like asthmatics.
On average: 32% of the general population report adverse health effects when exposed to fragranced products.
58% of individuals with asthma-like conditions,
76% with autism spectrum disorders,
82% with chemical sensitivity report adverse effects from fragranced
products.
Types of adverse health effects among the general population: 17% respiratory problems, 13% mucosal symptoms, 13% migraine headaches, 9% skin problems, 7% asthma attacks, 5% neurological problems, long-term risks include hormonal dysfunction from endocrine disruptors and cancer.
Types of adverse health effects among the general population: 17% respiratory problems, 13% mucosal symptoms, 13% migraine headaches, 9% skin problems, 7% asthma attacks, 5% neurological problems, long-term risks include hormonal dysfunction from endocrine disruptors and cancer.
Secondhand exposure
In a similar way to "secondhand smoke" from tobacco goods, extensive exposure to fragranced products leads to the problem of "secondhand scents", or unintended or involuntary contact to which the general population is exposed weekly.
Fragranced goods can be a major source of indoor air pollutants, although indoor air quality is not well-regulated or monitored.
In addition, fragranced items have been implicated as important contributors to outdoor air pollution, as their emissions travel outdoors from products used not only outdoors but also indoors.
There's lack of information about individual chemicals in a fragranced product, because no law in any country requires the disclosure of all the constituents on the label, safety data sheet, or elsewhere.
Instead, a product may use the generic phrase "fragrance" (or another legally acceptable term like "perfume") to describe itself instead of all of the ingredients separately, although a product's "fragrance" is made up of tens to hundreds of compounds, with approximately 4,000 identified fragrance components.
There's lack of knowledge about which specific chemicals or mixtures of chemicals in fragrance could be triggering the adverse effects.
In population-based research, however, all forms of fragranced items were linked to negative health impacts. As a result, a broad approach addressing a product category (fragranced products) could be beneficial (similar to smoke-free policies addressing tobacco products).
Costly damage
High monetary and non-monetary costs associated with: adverse health effects, lost workdays and lost jobs, loss of access, disability, risk and litigation, indoor and outdoor air pollutants, and purchases of fragranced products such as air fresheners.
Why are fragrance-free policies implemented?
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to provide guests with the healthiest indoor air quality possible and to create buildings that are good for the environment and healthy for humans; -
to reduce overall health risks or to promote a healthy environment, that is fragrance and pollution-free on its properties and in its programs;
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to accommodate those with fragrance sensitivity. The goal is to be sensitive to participants, staff, other volunteers, and visitors with perfume and chemical sensitivities;
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fragrance is inappropriate for a professional work atmosphere, and some fragrance containing items may be harmful to the health of employees who have chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, or chronic headaches/migraines.
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