Perfumes; Not So Sweet Smelling Afterall
The majority of my friends who are reading this already do not wear perfume so this is geared towards those who may be surprised to find that their perfume or after-shave is not so sweet smelling after all. 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic compounds derived from petroleum (like the same chemicals in gasoline). They include benzene derivatives (benzene is a known carcinogen), aldehydes (like formaldehyde a highly toxic substance) and many other known toxins and sensitizers – capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders and allergic reactions: excerpted from; Neurotoxins: At Home and the Workplace, Report by the Committee on Science & Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, Sept. 16, 1986. (Report 99-827).
Asthma and other respiratory ailments are increasing at high rates. When you wear perfumes you are not the only one that is breathing in all these toxins but you are forcing those around you to breathe them as well. I have to get on my soapbox a minute regarding perfume etiquette. I do not know why when people fly they think it is okay to douse themselves with scented products including perfume and then get on an airplane where the air quality is poor anyway and subject everyone around them to inhale these toxins for 3 or 4 hours. On more than one occasion I have had to change seats and not been able to sit with my husband because someone next to me had on perfume or cologne that gave me a sick headache within 5 minutes of sitting next to them. I had a guy come and install my satellite dish and set up my TV’s last week and he was wearing aftershave and by the time he left I had a headache. Okay, I am stepping off my soapbox now.
Most people who wear perfume or cologne cannot smell it after a while and put more and more on. This is because these toxic chemicals are desensitizing their olfactory (sense of smell) senses. With all the chemicals that we ingest and are exposed to why subject yourself to even more toxins when it is not necessary. Get yourself some high quality essential oils and use those (make sure they are 100% pure essential oils). They are not toxic and some have therapeutic qualities. A small amount will not leave you over-powered and probably will not bother others. The manufacture of perfumes creates tons of chemicals that are dumped into the environment that we all get exposed to including children whose immune sytems are more fragile. Every small thing you can do, like not buying or wearing perfume, adds up to help this planet and first and foremost makes you and your family healthier.
Look on the list of ingredients and if you see the word fragrance or scented anywhere on it do not buy it. The exception to this is if the scent or fragrance comes from 100% pure essential oil. It will state this if it does. Check your laundry detergent, fabric softener, shampoo, conditioner, all hair products, any kind of soap that you use, lotions, etc. for fragrance. You might be suprised at how much exposure to chemicals you are getting. See my post on Toxins In the Home for more data regarding this.
