Archived Newsletter #4:  Hidden, Toxic Fragrances

As most of you know, I have Environmental Illness (also known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivities.) Frankly, if I had to be sick and could choose, I'd prefer to have a more mainstream, respectable disease. I call Environmental Illness the "Rodney Dangerfield of Disease," because "you get no respect." This illness is so controversial, many doctors and researchers are still debating whether it even exists. All I can say is, if someone is unsure whether it is real, they don't have it!

Like many who are chemically sensitive, I'm not interested in debate. I'm interested in living the fullest life possible while making allowances for my limitations. Certainly I am not alone in having a real problem around perfumes and fragrances. At the moment, 3 out of 5 persons in the United States describe themselves as "sensitive to chemicals." Since synthetic fragrances are used almost universally in cleaning products, grooming products, laundry products, and so on, they are very hard to avoid.

One of the biggest problems I face in seeing my friends and other people is the fact that they almost all wear fragrances without knowing it. Even when they try to clean up to be around me, almost all of them fail in one particular way. They may leave off their hair spray or perfume or deodorant, but they do not realize fragrances are clinging to the very clothing they wear.

The only way around this is to switch entirely to fragrance-free detergent (like "All Free and Clear") and fabric softeners (like "Bounce Free") and do all their laundry in them. Some people wash just that day's clothing in fragrance-free products, not realizing that their clothing has picked up fragrance from other highly scented clothing in their closets.

Not everyone is as highly sensitive as I am. But the following information gives some good food for thought to those who continue to use highly-scented laundry products. If you switch to fragrance-free products, you may be doing yourself and your family a tremendous favor health-wise.

Chemicals Found in Scented Detergents, Fabric Softeners & Dryer Sheets

Alpha-Terpineol Causes CNS (central nervous system) disorders... "highly irritating to mucous membranes" ..."Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis or even fatal edema." Can also cause "excitement, ataxia (loss of muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache." "Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact."

Benzyl Acetate Carconigenic (linked to pancreatic cancer). "From vapors: irritating to eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough." "In mice: hyperanemia of the lungs." "Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic effects." "Do not flush to sewer."

Benzyl Alcohol Causes CNS disorders ..."irritating to the upper respiratory tract" ..."headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure." Camphor Causes CNS disorders. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. Symptoms: "local irritant and CNS stimulant" ..."readily absorbed through body tissues" ..."irritation of eyes, nose, and throat" ..."dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching muscles and convulsions". "Avoid inhalation of vapors."

Chloroform Neurotoxic. Anesthetic. Carcinogenic. on EPA's Hazardous Waste list. "Avoid contact with eyes, skin, clothing. Do not breathe vapors ...Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness." "Inhalation can be fatal." "Chronic effects of overexposure may include kidney and/or liver damage." "Medical conditions generally aggravated by exposure: kidney disorders, liver disorders, heart disorders, skin disorders." "Conditions to avoid: Heat..." Listed on California's Proposition 65.

Ethyl Acetate Narcotic. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. "...Irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract" ..."may cause headache and narcosis (stupor)" ..."may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys". "Wash thoroughly after handling."

Limonene Carcinogenic. "Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an irritant and sensitizer." "Always wash thoroughly after using this material and before eating, drinking ...applying cosmetics. Do not inhale limonene vapor."

Linalool Narcotic. Causes CNS disorders. ..."respiratory disturbances" ..."Attracts bees." "In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous motor activity and depression ...depressed heart activity ...development of respiratory disturbances leading to death."

Pentane "Danger - Harmful if inhaled ...Avoid breathing vapor." "Inhalation of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapors may cause CNS depression. Contact can cause eye irritation. Prolonged exposure may cause dermatitis (skin rash)."

CNS = Central Nervous System
Your brain and spine. CNS disorders include: Alzheimer's Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, Dementia, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Seizures, Strokes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. CNS exposure symptoms include: aphasia, blurred vision, disorientation, dizziness, headaches, hunger, memory loss, numbness in face, pain in neck and spine.

You probably now agree that using scented laundry products just doesn't make good sense for you or your family! If you absolutely must have some fragrance, purchase some essential oil and put a few drops of your favorite on your dryer sheet prior to drying your clothes. Lavender is always relaxing and refreshing.

Take care now,

Corinne