The Problem
There are very few state and federal limits on what can be used in the development of fragrances. While fellow industrialized economies like the EU and Japan have taken steps to limit or ban the use of certain chemicals in fragrances, America has done very little. The below list details some of the most dangerous chemicals that are frequently used in American fragrances and that are often heavily regulated in other industrialized economies.
The Dangers of American Fragrance Ingredients
Phthalates : Considered to be known endocrine disruptors among the international scientific community, Phthalates have also been connected to infertility, miscarriages, obesity, diabetes, and prenatal development.
Diethanolamine, Monoethanolamine and Triethanolamine: Known to react to other preservatives in cosmetic products, producing Nitrosamines, which the International Agency for Research on Cancer identifies as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen"
Formaldehyde: A well known carcinogen with other chronic effects. There's a reason that the EPA sees it as an "unreasonable risk to human health"
Benzophenone: Accumulates very easily in blood, providing toxic to the Kidney's and Liver. Also known as an environmental toxin due to its ability to bioaccumulate and its toxicity to aquatic organisms
Butylated Hydroxyanisole (BHA): Strong evidence that BHA is an endocrine disruptor, has been shown to do cellular damage to mammalian kidney cells, even at low doses.
Butoxyethanol: A well known Volatile Organic Compound, this chemical's vapor can be absorbed through inhalation and through the skin and can accumulate in large amounts with use of multiple different products. Has caused reduced fertility in lab mice and low birth weight.
Methanol: A well known and dangerous toxin that can have severe health effects if not treated with care. Used as an alternative to more expensive methods of diluting fragrances.
​