Beware of Those Sweet, Sweet Smells: Synthetic Fragrance Pollution

By Chung Hyunhwa

Did you know there are more and more “fragrance-free zones” or “scent-free zones” being created in North American and European countries? This is because of the awareness of the potential and actual hazards of artificial fragrance or scents being overused, and an increase in those who are sensitive to these artificial fragrances. There is a technical term now to describe these symptoms: “artificial fragrance syndrome.” When a person with this syndrome is exposed to synthetic fragrance, they may experience symptoms such as headaches, migraines, skin irritation, brain fog and dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, respiratory issues, and more.

Sensitivity to fragrances varies for individuals for sure, but according to an Environmental Working Group’s study, some fragrances’ chemical ingredients may be linked to allergic reactions, endocrine disruption, respiratory and neurological issues, and even cancers. “Fragrance-free zones” or “scent-free zones” are being promoted especially for workplaces, schools, and healthcare settings to include everyone and to provide information about the benefits of a non-fragrance environment.

Fragrance is used everywhere nowadays. Restrooms and toilets are the most common places, but you can find fragrance literally anywhere, even in a coin laundry, a department store, or a retail shop. Besides perfumes and colognes, most cosmetics, hair products, soaps, detergents and clothes softeners, scented candles, and diffusers compete to attract the attention of customers – all because fragrance is generally considered to create an inviting and welcoming atmosphere.

Encountering the natural fragrance of orchids, roses, and jasmine and orange blossoms in nature is more than just pleasant – it’s moving, touching. The fragrance of these may add the finishing touches to the sweetest memories of trips with loved ones. However, it is a fact that natural ingredients to create “real” fragrance products are very limited and expensive. For instance, one kilogram of rose essential oil requires up to 10,000 kilograms of rose petals. Everyone wants fragrance, but the supply is always short, creating a need for artificial or synthetic fragrance to meet the fragrance demand.

While artificial fragrance is a broader term to include aroma chemicals produced from other technologies such as biochemistry – which are considered to be more sustainable – synthetic fragrance is a specific term for what is mostly made chemically from petroleum or natural gas, and therefore, it is very convenient to produce and very cheap. Just like plastics, modern alchemists have made it possible to create as much fragrance as the market desires. As a result, we are now living in a world where fragrance is abundant, if not overabundant.

For the industry, synthetic fragrance was a welcomed innovation because it could replace natural fragrances that became unavailable, such as musk, which is now a banned ingredient. About 3,000 chemicals are now being used to create fragrances, and one product may contain over 200 chemicals under the single term “fragrance” or “perfume.” Manufacturers do not have to specify all the specific ingredients included in a fragrance because “trade secrets” are protected by laws.

Not all chemicals used to create fragrances are harmful, but not all the impacts of each ingredient have yet been clearly specified, so for safety, customer discretion is required. According to Ecostore in Australia, benzene derivatives and phthalates are the most harmful among the fragrance chemicals. Benzene has been prohibited by the International Fragrance Association because increased exposure to it is associated with a higher risk of cancer. Phthalates have not been banned by EU regulations yet because of their low risk when used in low concentrations, but there is ongoing debate since they also have the potential to disrupt hormone balances in the body.

While awareness of their dangers is slowly spreading, in reality, we are still surrounded by synthetic fragrance. So what should we do about it? Even if we pay attention to the labels of the products we buy, there are always potential risks in the presence of fragrance. Checking labels is still important to reduce the risks from hazardous chemicals such as benzene or phthalates. Another best practice is to buy from more trusted brands that prioritize the use of natural ingredients over synthetic ones. Use natural essential oils from plants for fragrance, if you need to. There are also apps nowadays to verify the ingredients of cosmetics and fragrant products, so spend some time researching before purchasing a product if you want to avoid unsafe chemicals.

One more important reason to consider when giving thought to going non-fragrance is that these chemicals are volatile and contribute to greenhouse gases way up high. The weather nowadays is not the same as before. Some people deny the climate crisis and others acknowledge it but do not believe that humans can control the changes. I am committed to doing my part to overcome the climate crisis, and I hope to see more rapid development of technologies to take us back to the normal climate of 100 years ago.

The global temperature rise is proceeding more rapidly than we estimated even a few years ago, some scientists say, but I still think we can come up with solutions. Until we do, individuals should all do their part daily: recycling, reusing, minimizing energy use, going green as much as possible, and using more natural ingredients instead of synthetic products in daily life. Not using fragrance is also something we should do, not only for people with high sensitivity but also for the entire human race.