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MASSACHUSETTS NURSE NEWSLETTER ::
April 2006
The chemicals and their health effects
Common health effects from exposure to synthetic
fragrance
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the following
health problems have been associated with fragrance exposure: asthma,
Reactive Airway Disease (RADS), difficulty breathing, coughing,
fatigue, eye irritation, sinusitis, rhinitis, inflammation of mucous
membranes, skin problems including dermatitis, immune system damage,
nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, changes in blood pressure, cancer,
and even death in severe cases due to respiratory failure.
Effects on the brain and nervous system include: convulsions, headaches/migraines,
depression, dizziness, irritability, confusion, panic attacks, anxiety,
memory loss, impaired concentration, drowsiness, insomnia, impaired
vision, ataxia, stupor, spaciness, giddiness, slurred speech, twitching
muscles, tingling in the limbs, and loss of muscular coordination.
1991 EPA Study by Larry Wallace. “Identification of Polar
Volatile Organic Compounds in Consumer Products and Common Microenvironments.”
Fragrance chemicals and their related health problems
Acetone-dryness of the mouth and throat; dizziness, nausea, lack
of coordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, and in severe cases
coma; it acts primarily as a CNS depressant. Benzene-irritation
of the eyes and respiratory system; decrease in white blood cells,
headaches. impaired judgment, and menstrual disorders. Phenol-eye,
nose, and throat irritation, abdominal pain; cardiac arrhythmias
and failure, cardiovascular collapse, chromosomal aberrations and
damage; cold sweats, collapse, confusion, headaches, hemolytic anemia,
profuse sweating, and ringing in the ear. Toluene-skin, eye, and
respiratory irritant, CNS depressant, liver and kidney disorders,
and toxic brain dysfunction. Benzyl acetate-skin, eye, respiratory
and gastrointestinal irritant, vomiting, diarrhea, tissue damage,
and abnormal EEG’s. Limonene-skin and eye irritant and sensitizer;
stomach irritant, albumin and blood in urine; and many CNS effects.
1,2
1 Harte, J. et.al. Toxics A to Z: A Guide
to Everyday Pollution Berkeley: University of California Press,
1991.
2 Wilson, C. Chemical Exposure and Human
Health: A Reference to 314 Chemicals with a Guide to Symptoms and
a Directory of Organizations. Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 1993.
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