Background Information and Petition Index
The Environmental Health Network of California has filed a petition with the FDA to have
the fragrance Eternity by Calvin Klein declared "misbranded." The basis of this petition is the lack of a warning label on the product informing consumers that all the materials in the product, and the product, have not been adequately tested for safety.
The FDA has precious little regulatory authority over the cosmetic and fragrance industries.Cosmetics, which includes personal care products such as, hair dyes, make-up, lotions, creams, deodorants, toothpaste, perfumes, colognes and aftershave, are not required to be safety tested before marketing. However, if each individual ingredient in the product -- and the final product -- have not been adequately tested for safety, the product is to carry a warning label to that effect. That prescribed warning message reads:
"WARNING: The safety of this product has not been determined."
Source: FDA http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-206.html
Following is additional FDA information regarding cosmetic labeling.
Cosmetic Handbook
1. Regulatory Requirements for Marketing Cosmetics in the United States
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-hdb1.html
"A cosmetic is considered adulterated if it contains a substance which may make the product harmful to consumers under customary conditions of use; ..."
"...A cosmetic is misbranded if its labeling is false or misleading, if it does not bear the required labeling information, ..."
The required labeling information could mean the warning message as shown above.
Cosmetic Handbook
2. Cosmetic Good Manufacturing Practice Guidelines
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-hdb2.html
"The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act prohibits the introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of cosmetics that are
adulterated or misbranded (Sec. 301).
"A cosmetic may be deemed adulterated (Sec. 601) for essentially four reasons, namely:
- "It may be injurious to users under conditions of customary use because it contains, or its container is composed of, a potentially harmful substance. . . . "
The Cosmetic Handbook continues . . .
COSMETIC PRODUCT WARNING STATEMENTS
21 CFR 740.10
Subpart B--Warning Statements Sec. 740.10 Labeling of cosmetic products for which adequate substantiation of safety has not been obtained.
(a) Each ingredient used in a cosmetic product and each finished cosmetic product shall be adequately substantiated for safety prior to marketing. Any such ingredient or product whose safety is not adequately substantiated prior to marketing is misbranded unless it contains the following conspicuous statement on the principal display panel:
Warning--The safety of this product has not been determined.
(b) An ingredient or product having a history of use in or as a
cosmetic may at any time have its safety brought into question by new
information that in itself is not conclusive. The warning required by
paragraph (a) of this section is not required for such an ingredient or
product if:
(1) The safety of the ingredient or product had been adequately
substantiated prior to development of the new information;
(2) The new information does not demonstrate a hazard to human
health; and
(3) Adequate studies are being conducted to determine expeditiously
the safety of the ingredient or product.
(c) Paragraph (b) of this section does not constitute an exemption
to the adulteration provisions of the Act or to any other requirement in
the Act or this chapter.
[40 FR 8917, Mar. 3, 1975]
Source: FDA's PART 740 at http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/cfr740.html
Analysis Purchased
Independent lab analysis revealed the use of ingredients for which the chemical, physical, and toxicological properties have not been throughly investigated. The health and safety data that is available on these materials raises concerns over their use in fragranced products. Most of the testing has been for dermatological reactions of primary users. There is inadequate data about effects upon inhalation, and we lack data on neurotoxicity, carcinogenic effects and how embryonic and fetal development may be affected, as some of the chemicals used in the manufacture of fragrances are considered possible teratogens.
The following analysis of a fragrance demonstrates the types of materials found in modern fragranced products and the health and safety data available. A typical
perfume is made up of approximately 80% ethanol and 20% fragrance formula.
Fragrance sensitization is a public health issue
To better understand why we need our governmental agencies that are charged with protecting public health to do just that, read the following items.
A look at the fragrance industry
An industry ad in Canada - Common sense about scents
In which you will read:
"Fragrance formulations do not contain toxic ingredients such as carcinogens or neurotoxins."
http://www.scentedproducts.on.ca/hdnad.jpg
Now let's check a source other than the fragrance industry's ads and public relations campaigns.
Acetaldehyde Chemical Backgrounder
From the National Safety Council
Acetaldehyde is just one commonly used flavors and fragrance ingredient
"Health effects:
"Acetaldehyde is a substance which may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen, according to the Seventh Annual Report on Carcinogens, National Toxicology Program, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is also classified in EPA's Toxic
Release Inventory (TRI) to be a known or suspected carcinogen. When ingested or inhaled, acetaldehyde can irritate the eye, nose, and throat; cause conjunctivitis, coughing, central nervous system depression, eye and skin burns, dermatitis, and delayed pulmonary edema." [Emphasis added.]
http://www.nsc.org/library/chemical/Acetalde.htm
Self Regulation
by Betty Bridges, RN
http://www.fpinva.org/Industry/industry.self-regulation.htm
The International Fragrance Association - IFRA
System of self-regulation by Betty Bridges, RN
http://www.fpinva.org/Industry/industry.self-regulation.ifra.htm
Research Institute for Fragrance Materials - RIFM
System of self-regulation by Betty Bridges, RN
http://www.fpinva.org/Industry/industry.self-regulation.rifm.htm
The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association - CTFA
System of self-regulation by Betty Bridges:
http://www.fpinva.org/Industry/industry.self-regulation.ctfa.htm
Pages by the industry:
The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association's site
"The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) was established in 1976 by the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association (CTFA) with support of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Consumer Federation of America. Although funded by CTFA, CIR and the review process are independent from CTFA and the cosmetics industry. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review thoroughly reviews and assesses the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics in an open, unbiased, and expert manner, and publishes the results in the open, peer-reviewed scientific literature." http://www.cir-safety.org/
Petitioning the FDA
The FDA responded to EHN in a little over its 180 days allowed from receipt of petition (May 11, 1999). The FDA responded November 30, 1999. The petition is STILL OPEN and accepting letters and documentation supporting your claims that synthetic fragrances adversely affect your health, the health of your children, or the health of your elderly parents. If you have friends who also suffer from the adverse effects of fragrance pollution, please tell them about this website (www.ehnca.org and the FDA Petition) and ask them to write to the FDA about their reactions.
This petition is a Citizens' Petition. So even if you are not yet living with fragrance sensitization, please write to the FDA, expressing your right to know about the chemicals you are putting on and in your body -- and the bodies of others around you, including your children. Please join us by writing a letter in support of Citizens' Petition, Docket Number 99P-1340.
All consumers deserve safe products, proved safe before marketing. And when that is not the case, all consumers have a right to know that their products have not been adequately tested. Fight for your right to at the very least see the FDA's prescribed message on labels of products marketed without adequate testing:
"WARNING: The safety of this product has not been determined."
It is time the FDA did its duty by the public. FDA, require your warning message on labels.
The following links represent petition information presented to the FDA
Return to top of page
Over a thousand Comments received by the FDA about Docket 99P-1340 since it was accepted on May 11, 1999
For letters appearing on EHN's site (with permission), please visit http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/FDApetition/letindex.htm
As of JMay 15, 2003, I've found a count of 114 ECs, 444 EMCs and 754 comments (C),
at least five batches of form letters were sent in, but each batch counted as one
entry (total count: 70; adjusted: 65). My calculations bring us to a total of 1377
comments via mail or electronic format sent to the FDA since May 1999
regarding Docket Number 99P -1340. Some people have granted permission to post their letters on EHN's site, and you'll find those by visiting http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/FDApetition/letindex.htm.
Compared with the USDA receiving over 200,000 letters regarding their planned manipulation of organic standards, 1353 letters seems a rather puny number. But if you take into account that it has been reported in the New York Times that 100 letters on a topic is a lot for the FDA to receive, 1353 letters is a large number. Just think, this petition, which has been ignored by most mainstream media, has generated letters averaging 436 letters A YEAR. And yet, the FDA believes the harmful effects suffered by people of all ages,races and genders as a result of the chemicals, including phthalates, coumarin and musks, used to concoct synthetic fragrances are "not considered a priority." ("Scents and sensitivities" by Francesca Lyman, 02/06/02, at http://www.msnbc.com/news/702445.asp.)
It seems to follow that if our concern were something other than the harmful effects of synthetic scents, this many letters sent to the FDA would surely make it into the New York Times. It hasn't. Therefore, YOU must help us spread the word.
Lest you think I'm exaggerating, take a moment to read "Time to Review Your Cosmetics, Under Bright Light," By JANE E. BRODY; May 22, 2001; PERSONAL HEALTH, New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/22/health/22BROD.html
In the article, Brody writes:
" ... As of July 1997, the Food and Drug Administration reports on its new Web site
(vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-toc.html), the agency had received about 100 reports of adverse reactions to products containing A.H.A. The reactions ranged from mild irritation and stinging to blistering and burns.
"Although 100 reports may not sound like much, you can be sure they represent
the very tip of a large iceberg since fewer than 1 percent of problems involving such
over-the-counter products are ever reported to the agency. The agency estimates that it receives only one in 50 reports of cosmetic-related complaints made to the industry. ..."
Remember the industry is NOT regulated by the FDA .. . it is self-regulated through its
Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR). It states:
The Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) was established in 1976 by the
Cosmetic, Toiletry & Fragrance Association (CTFA) with support of the
U.S. Food & Drug Administration and the Consumer Federation of America.
Although funded by CTFA, CIR and the review process are independent from
CTFA and the cosmetics industry. The Cosmetic Ingredient Review
thoroughly reviews and assesses the safety of ingredients used in
cosmetics in an open, unbiased, and expert manner, and publishes the
results in the open, peer-reviewed scientific literature.
http://www.cir-safety.org/
The analyses, which are part of the FDA Petition, suggest that not enough information is known about individual chemicals used to make fragrances. There is no indication that the industry thoroughly tests chemicals used individually, let alone as combined to manufacture a scent. The industry claims it has only begun to study fragrances for effects upon inhalation, yet these products are made to be inhaled (smelled).**
I've yet to see results of industry studies of fragrances for neurotoxicity, yet that was the suggestion made by the National Academy of Sciences before the 99th Congress, way back in September 1986. And, where pray tell are the reports on studies of systemic or long-term effects of fragrance chemicals? Fragrances enter the body through inhalation, via absorption and enter the brain directly (http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/b.htm#Brain).
Fragrance chemicals include known sensitizers and irritants, as well as known or suspected carcinogens, neurotoxins and teratogens. Some of the fragrance chemicals are known or suspected hormone disrupters, some bio-accumulate and some have synergistic effects. A common fragrance chemical is coumarin. What effect does this chemical, which quickly enters the body, have on developing embryos and fetuses? We know that pregnant women cannot use Coumarin for its anticoagulant properties during pregnancy, but does anyone give a hoot about Coumarin in perfume and its possible effects? (See Coumarin at http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/c.htm#Coumarin)
To me, it seems to follow that if one recognizes the neurotoxicity properties of fragrance chemicals, then one would wonder about their effects on our infants and children. Do synthetic scents play a role in premature death and in the skyrocketing "unexplained" rates of ADD and Autism? It seems to me that until we look mighty closely at the chemicals -- and ALL of their effects -- which we find in our commonly used synthetically scented products, we cannot dismiss fragrances as benign. Until the industry and the FDA do their duty by the public, making certain that we have safe products prove safe for the youngest, the oldest and the already ill among us, we should take heed of that sage advice: Caveat Emptor!
We need better information from the fragrance industry and an FDA interested in carrying out its mission to protect public health. Tell your friends and write your newspapers about this formal petition, which allows the pubic to speak its voice. If enough of us write, we will be heard. -- barb
**Scents and sensitivities
What to know before buying a Valentinežs Day perfume
By Francesca Lyman; Feb. 6, 2002; MSNBC CONTRIBUTOR
And, I might add, Mother's Day or Father's Day perfume, et al. In this article,
the industry admits it has begun the first study to test fragrances for effects
upon inhalation and for systemic effects . . . and it also claims it always
thoroughly tests before marketing. I smell a hint of duplicity in the air. -- barb
http://www.msnbc.com/news/702445.asp
You may be interested in also checking out,
Letters logged on FDA's Daily Dockets
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/FDApetition/letinfda.htm
Covering the FDA Petition
Newsletters, online magazines and online news covering petition
- David Lawrence Dewey
author/syndicated columnist
- Environment News Service (ENS) 2002
- Labeling Cosmetics May Help Prevent Cancers
"CHICAGO, Illinois, August 15, 2002 (ENS) - It's a right to know issue. Women who are sensitive to chemicals should have the benefit of warning labels on their cosmetics identifying those chemicals, say six environmental groups and Samuel S. Epstein, M.D., chairman of the Cancer Prevention Coalition.
"One of the groups, the Environmental Health Network of California, is petitioning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration asking for warning labels on cosmetics to identify allergens and hazardous substances contained in the hair spray, deodorant, nail polish and perfume that many women use every day. ..."
http://ens-news.com/ens/aug2002/2002-08-15-01.asp
- MSNBC
Scents and sensitivities
What to know before buying a Valentinežs Day perfume
By Francesca Lyman; MSNBC CONTRIBUTOR; Feb. 6, 2002
http://www.msnbc.com/news/702445.asp
- The New Reactor; May-June 1999 issue; EHN's newsletter
Available hard copy only, but of course, you are at the site of the petition online. -- barb
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/newreact/ehnnr.html
- WSFA
Some say a popular perfume is a health danger!!
Includes interview of Judith Sanderson, Teacher, Culver City High and this statement:
"After contacting Calvin Klein for a response to the petition that the group filled with the
FDA the company had this statement: "All of Calvin Klein's products meet or exceed
the requirement of the Federal Public Food, Drug and Cosmetics Act."
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?s=58076
Dr. Jacob Offenberger
Quoted from Some say a popular perfume is a health danger!!, above:
"Dr. Jacob Offenberger is an Allergist; 'No manufacturer would like to sell any product
that has real toxins in it or real irritants in it because it won't sell.' Dr. Jacob Offenberger
is spokesperson for the Asthma Foundation of America. "
What? Dr. Offenberger hasn't heard of the tobacco industry? On his own website Dr. Offenberger states ...
"The worst disease in the world is ignorance. Anything that can alleviate ignorance will
contribute to the wellness of society." -Jacob Offenberger, MD. (Go to About Dr. Offenberger.)
http://www.asthmadoc.com/
Petition Press Releases
Summary of Regulatory Requirements for Labeling of Cosmetics Marketed in the United States
http://vm.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/cos-lab1.html#summary
Why Petition the FDA?
Comments by Betty Bridges, RN and Barb Wilkie
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/FDApetition/whyfda.htm
WRITE the FDA -- includes SAMPLE LETTER - contains contact information and sample letter. Letters do not have to be long. But, please, WRITE! Please print out this information and share with others who may not have online access. Thank you.
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/FDApetition/sampletr.htm
Note: EHN and Fragranced Products Information Network (FPIN)
are mirroring the FDA petition. http://www.ameliaww.com/fpin/fpin.htm
Also visit FPIN for well-researched information about fragrance chemicals.
Caveat Emptor!
Additional information supporting information
- 1986: The National Academy of Sciences targeted fragrances as one of the
six categories of chemicals that should be given high priority for neurotoxicity testing.
Neurotoxins: At Home and the Workplace (Report by the Committee on Science and Technology. U.S. House of Representatives, Sept. 16, 1986) [Report 99-827]
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnmsofs.htm#National
- 1991 EPA report: Identification of Polar Volatile Organic Compounds in Consumer Products and Common Microenvironments
Thanks to Jacki . . . -- barb
http://www.ourlittleplace.com/epa.html
- 1992 EPA report Polar Organic Compounds in Fragrances of Consumer Products, Final Report
Thanks to Betty . . . -- barb
http://www.ameliaww.com/fpin/fragrance_rti4948.htm
- May 1999 EHN's Citizens' Petition of FDA
EHN entreats the FDA to follow its regulations already in place to require warning labels on fragrance products released to market without adequate testing of the fragrances and the individual chemicals from which the fragrances are synthesized.
This page:http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm
- July 2002 Not Too Pretty
A report on phthalates, found through analysis, in fragrances and cosmetic products; includes information about phthalates effect on developing male fetuses.
This is a MUST read. -- barb
http://www.NotTooPretty.org
Supporting groups:
- Coming Clean
"Coming Clean was formed in early January 2001 to take advantage of the
tremendous public education opportunity provided by the PBS broadcast of
Trade Secrets: A Moyers Report."
http://www.comeclean.org/homecc.htm
- EWG's (Environmental Working Group) Chemical Industry Archives
http://chemicalindustryarchives.org/
- Health Care Without Harm
http://www.hcwh.org/
- Science and Environmental Health Network
"... SEHN is concerned with the wise application of science to the protection of the environment and public health. ..."
http://www.sehn.org/
- Adulterated cosmetics
Search the United States Code - Office of the Law Revision Counsel
Enter "21" in the title box and "361" in the section box and click search
Then repeat, entering "362" in the section box to get to Sec. 361. Adulterated cosmetics
http://uscode.house.gov/usc.htm
- Around the World With Fragrance Sensitization
A visit to EHN's International MCS links will give you a clue as to the breadth of
this serious public health problem. Fragrance sensitization is taking its toll worldwide.-- barb
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/mcs.htm#International
- Cancer Prevention Coalition
http://www.preventcancer.com
- Cancer Research America, Inc.
http://www.CancerResearchAmerica.org/
- Fragrance Products Information Network
http://www.fpinva.org
- The Fragrant Door
Perfume blisters a classroom door. Sprayed by students who were not in the classes of this teacher. What does it do to those who absorb it through their skin or eyes? And what does it do to those of us who have to breathe it even though our doctors tell us: "AVOID FRAGRANCES!"? I know the answer to my own rhetorical question!!! It makes us mighty sick, too often with death-defying events. -- barb
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnhompg/doorjudy.htm
- From Trade Secrets to Betty Bridges, RN
MARCH 27, 2001: Link to site of Betty Bridges, RN from the
Bill Moyers' special report:Trade Secrets
Go to the drop down list and choose bathroom. Click on "fragrance," then read the info in the boxes and click out to Betty's site. Her new domain name is www.fpinva.org. -- barb
http://www.pbs.org/tradesecrets/options/protecting.html
- Healthy Communications - Health, Awareness and Harmony
Shelley Kramer
Public Health and Cancer Prevention Educator
Los Angeles Director of the Cancer Prevention Coalition
888 377 8877
310 457 5176
Fax 310 883 2082
email: helthcom@aol.com
http://www.healthy-communications.com/
- Icons - Or a picture IS worth a thousand words!
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/FDApetition/iconsfis.htm
- Julia Kendall's Twenty Most Common Chemicals Found in Thirty-One Fragrance Products
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehn20.htm
- Perfumer's World
- Phthalates found in May 1999 FDA Petition, Docket Number 99P - 1340
http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/p.htm#Phthalates
- Prevalence of fragrance use - marketing
Check the rates of asthma for people of all ages who are African-American and Hispanic, and for children across all cultures. Do you see the increased use of synthetically scented
products for personal care and/or cleaning and maintenance correlating with the skyrocketing rates of asthma? How is it our experts continue to tell us the increased rates of asthma are "unexplained" when they never look at this correlation? LOOK at the chemicals used to make synthetic scents and the increase in asthma and other chronic illness should not be too hard to fathom. -- b arb
- African-American Women
Business & Industry Database
"Study finds African-American women as a group are more than twice as likely as
women of other races to buy fragrances Original Title: Ethnic Fragrance Market
Source: Chemical Marketing Reporter, VOL:251, ISS:22, PG:25, June 02, 1997.
ISSN: 0090-0907 "
http://chemweb.com/
- Children
12/2/00 -- Now there's proof positive that our children are being targeted by the fragrance industry. See Fragrance Foundation's Events for 2000-2001. Scroll down to
March 2001.
This site is set up in frames. It is likely to beam up on, "Holiday '99: Malicious Lies & Tantalizing Truths - The Fragrance Foundation and the New York Times invite you
to the first meeting of the New Millennium," so click on "Back to Events" and then
click on "Fragrance Foundation's Events for 2000-2001."
By the way, if you ever have wondered why the truth about the toxicity of fragrances is notreadily available through the mainstream media, this should give you a clue: TheNY Times joined The Fragrance Foundation in hosting "Malicious Lies..."
"Malicious Lies:" Are they referring to the advertising? The REAL truth is far from tantalizing.
For the REAL TRUTH, visit the Citizens' Petition currently before the US FDA -- this page!
The Fragrance Foundation writes, in its Think Tank 2000 Series:
"The first Think Tank of the series, ėGetting/Keeping the Teen Market," was held on
September 29 at the new Conference Centre at The Fragrance Foundation. . . ."
The Spring/Summer 2001 Trends Forecast
NEW YORK í "If a guy tells you, you smell good í you are definitely going to wear
that fragrance again* said Sarah, a New York City teenager and one of the teen
panelists. Sarah was one of 5 teenage panelists to share quite candid remarks
about fragrance, their preferences, and how it is marketed to them at The
Fragrance Foundation's bi-annual Spring/Summer 2001 Trends Forecast Seminar."
http://www.fragrance.org/cgi/fetch_outer_events.cgi?thing=1831359
- Hispanic Women
"Business & Industry Database
"Survey finds US Hispanic women spend 43% more on fragrance products and 27% more on makeup than the average American woman Original Title: COSMETICS MAKERS TARGETING HISPANIC MARKET Source: Miami Herald (FL), PG:N/A, March 03, 1997. ISSN: 0898-865X Document Type: Regional NewspaperPublication Country: United States Language: EnglishRecord Type: Fulltext, Abstract Word Count: 849"
http://chemweb.com/
- Safe Notification and Information for Fragrances Act (SNIFF) - HR 1947
Introduced in House May 22, 2001 by Ms. Schakowsky (for herself, and Ms. Berkley)
http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/ehnlinx/s.htm#SNIFF
- "Scents and sensitivities
What to know before buying a Valentinežs Day perfume"
By Francesca Lyman; Feb. 6, 2002; MSNBC CONTRIBUTOR
And, I might add, Mother's Day or Father's Day perfume, et al. In this article, the
industry admits it has begun the first study to test fragrances for effects upon inhalation and for systemic effects . . . as it also claims it always thoroughly tests before marketing. -- barb
http://www.msnbc.com/news/702445.asp
- Janette D. Sherman, M.D.
http://www.radiation.org/
Books by Dr. Sherman:
- Life's Delicate Balance - Causes and Prevention of Breast Cancer
"[D]efines and documents known causes of breast cancer, and emphasizes the means of prevention.
and
- CHEMICAL EXPOSURE AND DISEASE -
The Professional and Layperson1s Guide to Understanding Cause and Effect
"Chemical Exposure and Disease is a must for all activists, whether lay or
professional, who want to prevent disease. "
http://www.janettesherman.org/order.html
- Dr. Sherman's books also available from Safe2Use. -- barb
http://www.safe2use.com/drsherman/about-author.htm
- Sierra Club's 98.12.01 Excessive Use of Fragrance Products in Public Places
Protect America's Environment: For Our Families, For Our Future
Sierra Club's December 1998 Conservation Resolutions
http://tamalpais.sierraclub.org/chapters/sanfranciscobay/policy/december1998.htm
- Time to Review Your Cosmetics, Under Bright Light
By JANE E. BRODY; May 22, 2001; PERSONAL HEALTH; New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/22/health/22BROD.html
- Toledo Blade
A note from barb (11/29/99): There had been a link out to the Toledo Blade's coverage of the national meeting held by the American Chemical Society, March 1999. Unfortunately, this article -- "Synthetic musk linked to environmental risks" -- has been removed and no amount of pleading has gotten the page back up. It can't be found in a search, either. We've been told by Blade staff to go to the public library to get that issue. Seems strange in that you can get other Michael Woods columns written earlier than this one. What goes on here?
Michael Woods, BLADE SCIENCE EDITOR, wrote in part:
Synthetic musk linked to environmental risks
"ANAHEIM, Calif. - Synthetic fragrances used in perfumes, soaps, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, cosmetics, and scores of other consumer products have become a new and unexpected group of environmental contaminants, scientists said.
" The chemicals are accumulating in human fat tissue, blood, breast milk, drinking water supplies, lakes and streams, fish and wildlife, and elsewhere in the environment, according to scientists interviewed here. ..."
http://www.toledoblade.com/
- US Access Board
Board Adopts Policy to Promote Fragrance-Free Environments
Folks, this is so very important. Use it to help educate your recalcitrant employers. -- barb
http://www.access-board.gov/news/fragrance.htm
Now, after spending valuable time reviewing all that has been put here before you, please take another moment to inform the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) about the fragrances in cleaning and maintenance products and how they adveresely affect your health. The CPSC wants to hear from people regarding adverse reactions to fabric softeners, especially when on the ambient air. Remember, pesticides are also fragrance products -- scented so people don't object to inhaling those couple of chemicals they are allowed to learn about in labeling -- other, often more toxic chemicals are hidden by the misleading word, INERT, and, of course, in the added scent. See CPSC's Report Unsafe Products http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html.
REMEMBER THE FDA! Write about adverse reactions AND/OR about the need for informative labeling. Reference Petition Docket Number 99P - 1340 and email fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Thanks, barb
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