Scent Pollution – Do you have sensitivity to scents?

Have you ever heard “One person’s perfume is another person’s poison.” Well, it’s true enough, especially when you consider the immune reactions that can be triggered by artificial scents. We find them in our detergents, air fresheners, soaps, deodorants, lotions, nail polish, candles, perfumes, dryer static sheets, and even lawn and leaf bags!
Have you ever noticed when you get in an elevator with someone that is wearing a strong cologne or perfume how it can irritate your senses, or even cause a pain in your head? Or when you are taking a walk and smell the fabric static puff stuff coming out of some house dryer vent? Or even when you are taking a hike in the country and smell clothing smells from other hikers or bikers that you pass?
There are many people who are allergic to heavy scents. Symptoms include ear, nose and throat irritation, nausea, headaches, fatigue leading to central nervous system disorders, asthma, migraines, chronic lung disease, even kidney failure. Repeated exposure has been linked to endocrine disruption and several types of cancer. They have also been linked to learning disabilities in children.

Sometime around the 1970 early 1980’s perfume formulations changed as they used to be made from natural ingredients like flowers and herbs. Today, it is estimated that 95% of the synthetic fragrances on the market are derived from petroleum by-products. Benzene, toluene, xylenes, and methanol are some of the common petrochemicals used in these aromatic concoctions.

Petrochemicals, like many of the other ingredients in synthetic fragrances, build up in the body over time. They are inhaled as well as absorbed through the skin in perfumes and body care products. Our skin is the largest body organ that soaks up toxins into its system. Fragrance chemicals are absorbed through the skin and can affect other organs of the body. AETT [acetyl ethyl tetra methyl tetralin] was found to cause discoloration in internal organs. Some of these chemicals are toxic to the liver and kidneys. Others accumulate in fat tissue.

Our sense of smell is being played on by companies that produce these products because they know how to capitalize on the emotions that go with smell. What we breathe goes straight into our lungs and organs, and sense of smell has a more direct connection to the brain than any other sense, even touch or sight.

In all, we might consider evaluating the synthetic fragrance pollution in our home and work environment for our own sake. Additionally, whether or not we personally experience any noticeable reactions to these chemical fragrances, we should be considerate of our friends, family, co-workers, church members or even strangers whose lives are greatly altered by whether or not we use these items.