ASTHMA AND FRAGRANCE CHEMICALS
Toluene was detected in every fragrance sample collected by the Environmental Protection Agency for a report in 1991: “Toluene was most abundant in the auto parts store, as well as the fragrance sections of the department store.”
Toluene not only triggers asthma attacks - it is known to cause asthma in previously healthy people.
According to “Air Currents”, publication of Allen and Handsbury’s Respiratory Institute, division of Glaxo, Inc., asthma has increased in the past decade by 31%, and in the same period asthma deaths have increased by 31%. Women and those over 65 suffer the highest death rate for asthma. 72% of asthma patients in a study have adverse reactions to perfumes; i.e., pulmonary function tests dropping anywhere between 18% and 58% below baseline (from “Affects of Odors in Asthma,” Chang Shim, MD and M. Henry Williams, MD, American Journal of Medicine, January, 1986 Vol. 80)
Toluene-laced fragrance industry chemical products have become increasingly pervasive in the last ten years - used not only in perfumes, but also in furniture wax, tires, plastic garbage bags, inks, hairgel, hairspray, and kitty litter. A Danish toxicological journal, “Ugeskr Laegar”, Vol 153, ISS 13, 1991, p. 939-40, found perfume in kitty litter to be the cause of asthma in humans.
From: Candida Research and Information Foundation, Perfume Survey, Winter 1989-90 No agency regulates the fragrance industry. According to John Baily, Phd, Director, Colors and Cosmetics, FDA, "The fragrance and cosmetic industry is the least-regulated industry. There is no pre-clearing of chemicals with any agency." The FDA has suggested the best method "to protect sufferers from odor sensitivities might be to curtail odor exposures under specific circumstances through local or state regulatory action."