General Information:

Why Are Scented Products A Problem?

Perfumes and cosmetics have been around for centuries. So why are they now becoming a problem?

The reason is that centuries ago perfumes were made very naturally using plant oils, flower petals, herbs and spices. Today, perfumes, cosmetics, and scented products are made in a chemical factory by chemists. Over 4,000 synthetic chemicals are used in the perfume and cosmetic industry. Many of these chemicals are very toxic. They can negatively affect every system of the body, especially the nervous system.

Even though inhalation is the primary route that scented products enter our body, many of these chemicals have never undergone inhalation testing. In the article titled, The Nose-Brain Connection, we see that what we breathe has direct access to the brain and the nervous system. So, the omission of inhalation testing for a product that is designed to be inhaled by many people, demonstrates an incredible disregard for possible negative human health effects. Also, the synergistic effects of all the chemicals that go together to make up a particular scent have probably never been tested as to their effect on health.

When an individual wears perfume, cologne, or any other scented product, the person might consider it their own "personal" scent. However, everyone they come in contact with will be forced to breath their "personal" scent. Consequently, their "personal" scent is no longer personal.

So, we challenge each person to view their "personal" scent from the perspective of others they will encounter that day. Other people will be inhaling their scent, and all the toxic chemicals that go together to make up that scent. As a direct consequence of that encounter, some of these people will experience some of these symptoms: a headache, a migraine, asthma, nausea, cognitive difficulties, dizziness, tingling or numbness sensation, muscle or joint pain or other health symptoms. The occasional person will be vocal about their symptoms; but the majority of people affected will probably suffer silently. Someone with chemical injury / chemical sensitivity would consider the encounter a serious health hazard or a living nightmare.

We need to consider how our own personal preferences might affect others around us. It is a healthier choice for everyone if we all started using non-scented products for personal care, laundry, cleaning, air freshening, etc.

For more information on the negative health effects of scented products visit the web site of the Fragrance Products Information Network.

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