Perfume

==Health and environmental issues==

Perfume ingredients, regardless of natural or synthetic origins, may all cause health or environmental problems when used. Although the areas are under active research, much remains to be learned about the effects of fragrance on human health and the environment.

===Immunological; asthma and allergy===
Evidence in peer-reviewed journals shows that some fragrances can cause asthmatic reactions in some individuals, especially those with severe or atopic asthma.<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Kumar P, Caradonna-Graham VM, Gupta S, Cai X, Rao PN, Thompson J |title=Inhalation challenge effects of perfume scent strips in patients with asthma |journal=Ann. Allergy Asthma Immunol. |volume=75 |issue=5 |pages=429–33 |date=November 1995 |pmid=7583865 }}</ref> Many fragrance ingredients can also cause headaches, allergic skin reactions<ref>{{cite journal  |vauthors=Frosch PJ, Rastogi SC, Pirker C, etal |title=Patch testing with a new fragrance mix – reactivity to the individual constituents and chemical detection in relevant cosmetic products |journal=Contact Derm. |volume=52 |issue=4 |pages=216–25 |date=April 2005 |pmid=15859994 |doi=10.1111/j.0105-1873.2005.00563.x |s2cid=5661020 }}</ref> or [[nausea]].<ref name="GushmanHanaHou">{{cite web | url = http://www.hanahou.com/pages/magazine.asp?Action=DrawArticle&ArticleID=373&MagazineID=23 | author = Deborah Gushman | title = The Nose Knows | access-date = 7 May 2008 | website = Hanahou.com | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080213153631/http://www.hanahou.com/pages/magazine.asp?Action=DrawArticle&ArticleID=373&MagazineID=23 | archive-date = 13 February 2008 | url-status = dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Apostolidis S, Chandra T, Demirhan I, Cinatl J, Doerr HW, Chandra A |title=Evaluation of carcinogenic potential of two nitro-musk derivatives, musk xylene and musk tibetene in a host-mediated in vivo/in vitro assay system |journal=Anticancer Res. |volume=22 |issue=5 |pages=2657–62 |year=2002 |pmid=12529978 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Schmeiser HH, Gminski R, Mersch-Sundermann V |title=Evaluation of health risks caused by musk ketone |journal=Int J Hyg Environ Health |volume=203 |issue=4 |pages=293–9 |date=May 2001 |pmid=11434209 |doi= 10.1078/1438-4639-00047}}</ref>

In some cases, an excessive use of perfumes may cause [[allergy|allergic]] reactions of the skin. For instance, [[acetophenone]], [[ethyl acetate]]{{Citation needed|date=April 2008}} and [[acetone]]<ref name=cbyear/> while present in many perfumes, are also known or potential respiratory [[allergen]]s. Nevertheless, this may be misleading, since the harm presented by many of these chemicals (either natural or synthetic) is dependent on environmental conditions and their concentrations in a perfume. For instance, linalool, which is listed as an irritant, causes skin irritation when it degrades to peroxides, however the use of antioxidants in perfumes or reduction in concentrations can prevent this. As well, the [[furanocoumarin]] present in natural extracts of grapefruit or [[celery]] can cause severe allergic reactions and increase sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.<ref>{{cite web |title=Furanocoumarins as potent chemical defenses |first=May |last=Berenbaum |url=http://www.life.illinois.edu/berenbaum/newpage1.htm |date=14 June 2010 |access-date=24 August 2011 |archive-date=11 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811071727/http://www.life.illinois.edu/berenbaum/newpage1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Some research on natural aromatics have shown that many contain compounds that cause skin irritation.<ref name="udgiv">Environmental and Health Assessment of Substances in Household Detergents and Cosmetic Detergent Products [http://www2.mst.dk/common/Udgivramme/Frame.asp?pg=http://www2.mst.dk/udgiv/Publications/2001/87-7944-596-9/html/kap12_eng.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303232246/http://www2.mst.dk/common/Udgivramme/Frame.asp?pg=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.mst.dk%2Fudgiv%2FPublications%2F2001%2F87-7944-596-9%2Fhtml%2Fkap12_eng.htm|date=3 March 2016}}</ref> However some studies, such as IFRA's research claim that [[Perfumery's opopanax|opoponax]] is too dangerous to be used in perfumery, still lack scientific consensus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_025b.pdf|title=SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PRODUCTS : SCCP|website=Ec.europa.eu|access-date=19 February 2018|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304073514/http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_sccp/docs/sccp_o_025b.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
It is also true that sometimes inhalation alone can cause skin irritation.{{Citation needed|date=September 2017}}

[[File:Epikutanni-test.jpg|thumb|[[Patch test]]]]
A number of national and international surveys have identified [[balsam of Peru]], often used in perfumes, as being in the "top five" allergens most commonly causing [[patch test]] reactions in people referred to dermatology clinics.<ref name="google2">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mrreTHuo54wC&q=balsam+of+peru+allergy&pg=PA352 |title=Biocompatibility of Dental Materials |author1=Gottfried Schmalz |author2=Dorthe Arenholt Bindslev |publisher= Springer|date= 2008|access-date=5 March 2014|isbn=9783540777823 }}</ref><ref name="google5">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kDWlWR5UbqQC&q=%22balsam+of+peru%22+allergy&pg=PT530 |title=Clinical Dermatology |author=Thomas P. Habif |publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences |date=2009 |access-date=6 March 2014|isbn=978-0323080378 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fmwYAgAAQBAJ&q=%22balsam+of+peru%22+allergy&pg=PT264 |page=264 |title=Conn's Current Therapy 2014: Expert Consult |author1=Edward T. Bope |author2=Rick D. Kellerman |publisher=Elsevier Health Sciences |date=2013 |access-date=6 March 2014 |isbn=9780323225724 |archive-date=10 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230110200718/https://books.google.com/books?id=fmwYAgAAQBAJ&q=%22balsam+of+peru%22+allergy&pg=PT264 |url-status=live }}</ref>  A study in 2001 found that 3.8% of the general population patch tested was allergic to it.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FZqlfcIWh9oC&q=%22balsam+of+peru%22+allergy&pg=PA35 |title=Allergy in Practice |page=35|author1=T. Platts-Mills |author2=Johannes Ring |publisher= Springer|date=2006 |access-date=6 March 2014|isbn=9783540265849 }}</ref>  Many perfumes contain components identical to balsam of Peru.<ref name="google3">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sSHIlWSOiroC&q=%22balsam+of+peru%22+allergy&pg=PA556 |title=Contact Dermatitis |author1=Jeanne Duus Johansen |author2=Peter J. Frosch |author3=Jean-Pierre Lepoittevin |page=556|publisher=Springer |date= 2010 |access-date=31 December 2015|isbn=9783642038273 }}</ref>

Balsam of Peru is used as a marker for [[perfume allergy]]. Its presence in a cosmetic is denoted by the [[INCI]] term ''Myroxylon pereirae''.<ref name="rook">{{citation | author=M. H. Beck | author2=S. M. Wilkinson | chapter=Contact Dermatitis: Allergic | title=Rook's Textbook of Dermatology | volume=2 | edition=8th | year=2010 | publisher=Wiley | page=26.40}}</ref> Balsam of Peru has been banned by the [[International Fragrance Association]] since 1982 from use as a fragrance compound, but may be present as an extract or distillate in other products, where mandatory labelling is not required for usage of 0.4% or less.<ref name="google3"/>

===Carcinogenicity===
There is scientific evidence that nitro-musks such as [[musk xylene]] could cause cancer in some specific animal tests. These reports were evaluated by the EU Scientific Committee for Consumer Safety (SCCS, formerly the SCCNFP<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/index_en.htm|title=Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) - Public Health - European Commission|website=Ec.europa.eu|access-date=19 February 2018|archive-date=22 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161122065430/http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/index_en.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>) and musk xylene was found to be safe for continued use in cosmetic products.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/sccp/documents/out280_en.pdf|title=OPINION OF THE SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE ON COSMETIC PRODUCTS AND NON-FOOD PRODUCTS INTENDED FOR CONSUMERS CONCERNING MUSK XYLENE AND MUSK KETONE|website=Ec.europa.eu|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=28 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028161257/https://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/sccp/documents/out280_en.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> It is in fact part of the procedures of the Cosmetic Regulation in Europe that materials classified as carcinogens require such a safety evaluation by the authorities to be allowed in cosmetic consumer products.

Although other ingredients such as polycyclic [[synthetic musk]]s, have been reported to be positive in some in-vitro hormone assays,<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Schreurs RH, Legler J, Artola-Garicano E, etal |title=In vitro and in vivo antiestrogenic effects of polycyclic musks in zebrafish |journal=Environ. Sci. Technol. |volume=38 |issue=4 |pages=997–1002 |date=February 2004 |pmid=14998010 |doi=10.1021/es034648y |bibcode=2004EnST...38..997S |s2cid=8660062 |url=https://research.vu.nl/ws/files/1949128/163484.pdf |access-date=2 October 2019 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225201417/https://research.vu.nl/ws/files/1949128/163484.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Schreurs RH, Sonneveld E, Jansen JH, Seinen W, van der Burg B |title=Interaction of polycyclic musks and UV filters with the estrogen receptor (ER), androgen receptor (AR), and progesterone receptor (PR) in reporter gene bioassays |journal=Toxicol. Sci. |volume=83 |issue=2 |pages=264–72 |date=February 2005 |pmid=15537743 |doi=10.1093/toxsci/kfi035 |doi-access=free }}</ref> these reports have been reviewed by various authorities. For example, for one of the main polycyclic musks [[Galaxolide|Galaxolide (HHCB)]] these reviews include those of the EU Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/sccp/documents/out179_en.pdf |title=Opinion on hhcb |website=Ec.europa.eu |access-date=17 February 2019 |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305160030/http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/sccp/documents/out179_en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> the EU's Priority Substances Review,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/947def3b-bbbf-473b-bc19-3bda7a8da910|title=European Union Risk Assessment Report : 1,3,4,6,7,8-HEXAHYDRO-4,6,6,7,8,8-HEXAMETHYLCYCLOPENTA-γ-2-BENZOPYRAN (1,3,4,6,7,8-HEXAHYDRO-4,6,6,7,8,8-HEXAMETHYLIN-DENO[5,6-C]PYRAN - HHCB)|website=Echa.europa.eu|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=19 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119013540/https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/947def3b-bbbf-473b-bc19-3bda7a8da910|url-status=live}}</ref> the EU Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risk,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scher/docs/scher_o_086.pdf|title=Scientific Committee on Health and Environmental Risks : SCHER Opinion on Risk Assessment Report on 1,3,4,6,7,8-HEXAHYDRO4,6,6,7,8,8-HEXAMETHYLCYCLOPENTA-γ-2-BENZOPYRAN (HHCB) Human Health Part|website=Ec.europa.eu|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=16 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210816172515/http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/04_scher/docs/scher_o_086.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> and more recently also the US EPA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/workplans.html|title=TSCA Work Plan Chemicals - Existing Chemicals - OPPT - US EPA<!-- Bot generated title -->|website=Epa.gov|date=29 April 2015|access-date=19 February 2018|archive-date=1 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901131114/http://www.epa.gov/oppt/existingchemicals/pubs/workplans.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The outcome of all of these reviews over the past decade or so is that there are no safety concerns for human health. Reviews with similar positive outcomes also exist for another main polycyclic musk (AHTN)—for instance, on its safe use in cosmetics by the EU.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/sccp/documents/out176_en.pdf |title=Opinion on ahtn |website=Ec.europa.eu |access-date=17 February 2019 |archive-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721105737/http://ec.europa.eu/health/ph_risk/committees/sccp/documents/out176_en.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Many natural aromatics, such as oakmoss absolutes,<ref name=udgiv/><ref name="OakAranol">{{cite journal  |vauthors=Rastogi SC, Bossi R, Johansen JD, etal |title=Content of oak moss allergens atranol and chloroatranol in perfumes and similar products |journal=Contact Derm. |volume=50 |issue=6 |pages=367–70 |date=June 2004 |pmid=15274728 |doi=10.1111/j.0105-1873.2004.00379.x |s2cid=38375267 }}</ref> [[basil]] oil, [[rose oil]] and many others contain allergens or carcinogenic compounds, the safety of which is either governed by regulations (e.g. allowed methyl eugenol levels in the EU Cosmetics Regulation (Entry{{nbsp}}102, Annex{{nbsp}}III of the EU Cosmetics Regulation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2009R1223:20130711:en:PDF|format=PDF|title=B REGULATION (EC) No 1223/2009 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products|website=Eur-lex.europa.eu|access-date=4 September 2019|archive-date=3 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181003061845/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CONSLEG:2009R1223:20130711:en:PDF|url-status=live}}</ref>) or through various limitations set by the International Fragrance Association.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ifraorg.org/en-us/standards|title=standards - IFRA International Fragrance Association - in every sense|website=Ifraorg.org|access-date=19 February 2018|archive-date=1 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301073257/http://www.ifraorg.org/en-us/standards|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Environmental===
[[File:Flickr - dlisbona - Perfume stall in Cairo metro.jpg|thumb|upright|Perfume stall in [[Cairo]]]]

====Pollution====
Synthetic musks are pleasant in smell and relatively inexpensive, as such they are often employed in large quantities to cover the unpleasant scent of laundry detergents and many personal cleaning products. Due to their large-scale use, several types of synthetic musks have been found in human fat and milk,<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Duedahl-Olesen L, Cederberg T, Pedersen KH, Højgård A |title=Synthetic musk fragrances in trout from Danish fish farms and human milk |journal=Chemosphere |volume=61 |issue=3 |pages=422–31 |date=October 2005 |pmid=16182860 |doi=10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.02.004 |bibcode=2005Chmsp..61..422D }}</ref> as well as in the sediments and waters of the [[Great Lakes]].<ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Peck AM, Linebaugh EK, Hornbuckle KC |title=Synthetic Musk Fragrances in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario Sediment Cores |journal=Environ. Sci. Technol. |volume=40 |issue=18 |pages=5629–35 |date=September 2006 |pmid=17007119 |doi= 10.1021/es060134y|pmc=2757450|bibcode=2006EnST...40.5629P }}</ref>

These pollutants may pose additional health and environmental problems when they enter human and animal diets.

====Species endangerment====
The demands for aromatic materials such as sandalwood, agarwood, and musk have led to the endangerment of these species, as well as illegal trafficking and harvesting.

===Safety regulations===
The US FDA controls the safety of perfumes through their ingredients and requires that they be tested to the extent that they are [[Generally recognized as safe]] (GRAS). Due to the need for protection of trade secrets, companies rarely give the full listing{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} of ingredients regardless of their effects on health.{{doubtful|date=February 2023}} 

In the EU, as from 11 March 2005, the mandatory listing of a set of 26 recognized fragrance allergens was enforced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2003:066:0026:0035:EN:PDF|title=DIRECTIVE 2003/15/EC|website=Eur-lex.europa.eu|access-date=19 February 2018|archive-date=21 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190521031743/https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2003:066:0026:0035:en:PDF|url-status=live}}</ref> The requirement to list these materials is dependent on the intended use of the final product. The limits above which the allergens are required to be declared are 0.001% for products intended to remain on the skin, and 0.01% for those intended to be rinsed off. This has resulted in many old perfumes like chypres and [[fougère]] classes, which traditionally make use of oakmoss extract, being reformulated.{{Citation needed|reason=It would be nice with a citation showing that that’s the reason they got reformulated.|date=September 2022}}