�A written report was released by Anne Steinemann, a researcher at the University of Washington
claiming sweetness ingredients contained in a selection of consumer products are potentially toxic.
The fragrance materials industry has the highest concern for the base hit of its products.
We have a sound four-step safety testing process. RIFM, the Research Institute for Fragrance
Materials (an internationally recognized scientific body), examines multiple endpoints and exposure
for redolence materials bound for habit in consumer products. RIFM's findings are evaluated by the
RIFM Expert Panel (REXPAN), an independent and international group of dermatologists,
pathologists, environmental scientists and toxicologists world Health Organization have no ties to the scent industry.
REXPAN's findings are in turn used by IFRA, the International Fragrance Association, to develop
standards on aroma material usance. The IFRA Standards form the base of the globally accepted
and recognized risk management system for the safe use of fragrance ingredients and are part of the
comprehensive program contained in the IFRA Code of Practice. As a result the IFRA Code of
Practice contains around 150 substances which have been either banned or restricted in their use in
perfume products. All members of the Fragrance Materials Association of the United States (FMA)
ar required, as a condition of rank, to observe the IFRA Code of Practice. The fragrance
industry spends just about $8 1000000 (annually) in joint research on the safety of fragrances, and
much more at the individual company level.
The Steinemann study presents no new information or find analysis. Furthermore, while
Steinemann clearly states the study does not address golf links between exposure to chemicals and
wellness effects, she goes beforehand and makes that assertion anyway. She claims that, simply because
certain chemicals are salute in the analyzed products they pose a health risk to all consumers. This
is hardly sound science, just rather more like watch crystal ball gazing and cannot be compared to the
sound, main four-step safety testing process outlined above which is carried out by the
fragrance industry.
Steinemann says she's concerned about "potential perniciousness" of the chemicals launch in the tested
products. The conception of "potentially" hazardous is so tolerant that it may encompass any naturally
occurring material in department of Commerce. Many chemicals, including body of water, have no harmful effects at low
concentrations, just may be "potentially toxic" at high concentrations. We are sure that, when used in compliance with Standards, the materials which are listed by Steinemann and victimized as perfume
ingredients ar safe and can be used (if desired) with confidence.
The study found 58 unlike volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at levels above a concentration of
300 parts per one thousand million but did not lean the immersion of each chemical. To put this in context, 300
parts per zillion is just above the level of analytical spying for these materials. Ingredients which
sound scary when listed by their chemical names ar materials that occur naturally in everyday
items, often in a lot larger quantities than english hawthorn be used in fragranced products. Some examples
include: alpha-Pinene (pine forests); Acetone (cheddar cheese, apple juice, strawberries); 2-
Butanone (coffee tree, citrus fruit, grapes); Benzaldehyde (white staff of life - at >40,000 ppm, roasted coffee -
at 2,000 ppm, apple juice - at around ccc ppm); Ethanol (blackberries, cauliflower, cherries,
cucumbers); Ethyl acetate( honey, tomatoes, vinegar).
It would be folly to declare the numerous true pine forests liner the west and east coasts toxic or
risky just because they founder off the VOC, alpha-pinene. Even more folly to put a hazard
warning on a tomato which naturally contains 8501 parts per one thousand thousand of benzaldehye. Or fifty-fifty to
expect forests and tomatoes to be tagged with their constituent chemicals. So wherefore does
Steinemann want the fragrance manufacture to mark the very low levels of these same chemicals when
contained in our products, and why does she ascribe that these chemicals ar hazardous when
clearly that is non the guinea pig?
We recognize that a small number of individuals may have sensitivity to certain materials in the
environment, both natural and man-made. People who have such sensibility to consumer
products can choose to avoid using the products. We obedience that right to choose and only ask that
all citizenry - including those wHO choose to use fragranced products - are afforded the like privilege.
Consumers can get information through various consumer products websites such as the Consumer
Specialty Products Association, Soap and Detergent Association, Personal Care Product Council and
other consumer websites. Consumer product companies will answer specific questions about their
end use products, particularly if thither is a health concern. In rick, raw material suppliers will provide
information to their customer companies for consumer questions. Each fragrance provider has a
designated regulative contact wHO will supply dermatologists and other medical professionals with
otherwise individual information to assist in the diagnosis and handling of an individual's personal
situation.
The fragrance manufacture continues to work through a sound independent testing mechanism to ensure
its products persist safe for consumers.
About FMA
The Fragrance Materials Association is a national trade association representing companies engaged
in the issue, invention and manufacture of mixtures of fragrance ingredients for use in a wide variety
of products, including fine fragrances, shampoos, soaps and detergents. FMA's activities are closely
coordinated with those of the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (RIFM). FMA is a member of
the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) which sets safety standards for our products. In
fulfilling its mission for the industry, FMA interacts with governmental bodies and other organizations
on all levels - state, federal and international. FMA meets the necessarily of today's challenges to the
bouquet industry.
Fragrance Materials Association
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