International Aroma Industry Response to Consumer Risk in Fragranced Consumer Products
International Aroma Industry Response to Consumer Risk in Fragranced Consumer Products
Fragranced products have proved to be an enormous success with large demand. This demonstrates the value that consumers place on fragrance. This popularity and increased consumption has also led to safety concerns in recent years. These concerns relate to the individual using so many fragranced products, and the concerns extend to the environment also as fragrances add to pollution and can be unsustainable.
Introduction: The term ‘safety’ is a relative term, as people require different levels for different activities. However, in the fragrance industry, the highest level of safety standards is required. This safety is established, promoted and enforced by self-regulation as well as legislation. The safety requirements of the industry are not static and are in a state of continuous change in order to make sure that any new ingredients used in perfumery or any findings of tests are accurately reflected in the governing of their safety practice. I will first look at the safety concerns relating to the perfume industry including personal risks and environmental risks. I will then look at the guidelines and laws in place to address these concerns.
What are the risks associated with fragranced products?
Safety Risks:
As fragrance consumption has increased in recent history, so too have the health concerns regarding increased exposure. These concerns address the health risks of contact with skin and reparatory concerns also.
Skin irritation – The two associated irritations are redness (erythema) and swelling (oedema). They appear when in contact with the irritable substance and disappear on its removal. If the fragranced product is known to be irritating, it will often have a label warning the consumer.
Skin sensitization – It was previously thought that skin was an impenetrable barrier. However, this is not the case. Skin sensitization can occur due to
Fragranced products have proved to be an enormous success with large demand. This demonstrates the value that consumers place on fragrance. This popularity and increased consumption has also led to safety concerns in recent years. These concerns relate to the individual using so many fragranced products, and the concerns extend to the environment also as fragrances add to pollution and can be unsustainable.
Introduction: The term ‘safety’ is a relative term, as people require different levels for different activities. However, in the fragrance industry, the highest level of safety standards is required. This safety is established, promoted and enforced by self-regulation as well as legislation. The safety requirements of the industry are not static and are in a state of continuous change in order to make sure that any new ingredients used in perfumery or any findings of tests are accurately reflected in the governing of their safety practice. I will first look at the safety concerns relating to the perfume industry including personal risks and environmental risks. I will then look at the guidelines and laws in place to address these concerns.
What are the risks associated with fragranced products?
Safety Risks:
As fragrance consumption has increased in recent history, so too have the health concerns regarding increased exposure. These concerns address the health risks of contact with skin and reparatory concerns also.
Skin irritation – The two associated irritations are redness (erythema) and swelling (oedema). They appear when in contact with the irritable substance and disappear on its removal. If the fragranced product is known to be irritating, it will often have a label warning the consumer.
Skin sensitization – It was previously thought that skin was an impenetrable barrier. However, this is not the case. Skin sensitization can occur due to
Bibliography: Williams, D., (2008) The Chemistry Of Essential Oils, Micelle Press, Wahington. Sell, C., (2006) The Chemistry of Fragrances, RSC Publishing, Cambridge. Williams, D., Curtis, T., (2009) An Introduction to Perfumery, Micelle Press, Washington. Salvito DT, Senna RJ, Federle TW. 2002. A Framework for prioritizing fragrance materials for aquatic risk assessment. Environ Toxicol Chem 21: 1301-1308. Course Notes, 2011. RIFM Website: http://www.rifm.org/index.php IFRA Website: http://www.ifraorg.org/