Fragrances: Health Affects and Reducing Exposure

We may be inhaling hundreds of different chemicals when we breathe in the fragrances that surround us in our everyday lives. Fragrances are not just perfumes and colognes. It also could be the air fresheners, soaps, shampoos, deodorants, laundry detergents, dryer sheets, bug sprays, cigarette smoke, and many more! When we breathe in such fragrances, we are breathing in particles small enough to cross the lining of our blood vessels and make their way into our bloodstreams.

Some of the potential short-term health effects of fragrances could be and allergic or inflammatory response, such as itchy/watery eyes, congestion, runny nose, throat irritation, coughing or wheezing. Others may get migraines. Some may have an increased heart rate or blood pressure changes. For those with lung disease, particularly asthma or COPD, there can be intensive wheezing.

The long-term effects of fragrances have on an individual: could cause chronic difficulty in breathing, changes in cardiac function such as the heart’s ability to pump, increase in glucose levels similar to people with Type 2 diabetes, passed from pregnant women to their offspring, and there could also be disruption of the endocrine system, which regulates hormones, and certain cancers with prolonged continuous exposure to some compounds.

Some individuals have a higher risk of fragrances’ effects on their health as they are continuously exposed to them such as people who work in the cleaning or agricultural industry, or the cosmetics workplace. If someone through personal overuse of a fragrance being continuously exposed, that person may be at a slightly higher risk, as many products have volatile organic compounds, which can be irritating to our airways. Of course, people who have allergies or medical sensitivities from having a diagnosis of asthma or COPD, you would want to avoid highly fragranced environments.

You can reduce exposure to volatile organic compounds in fragrances by: wearing a mask, reduce the amount of time in an environment where you are exposed to irritating fragrances, try to get some fresh air outside, increase ventilation/use an exhaust fan, have a really good filter for your furnace, use unscented products as often as you can, try to avoid aerosol dispensers, and if your home needs some fragrance, maybe use essential oils if slowly diffused over time, which may be a better option.

Have a happy day!