Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Avoiding Scent Allergies

Seven sensual scents for you and your Valentine

Some of the most powerful parts of the holiday season are the smells... candles that fill the room with the aroma of home baked goods, or air fresheners that fill the room with the fresh outdoor scent of pine.

About 11% of more than 2,000 adults surveyed reported hypersensitivity to popular laundry products; About 31% reported adverse reactions to the fragrance in other people, with about 20% reporting problems (difficulty breathing, headaches) when in the vicinity of air fresheners.

Some of the most powerful parts of the holiday season are the smells... candles that fill the room with the aroma of home baked goods, or air fresheners that fill the room with the fresh outdoor scent of pine. These products add a subtle something to the air for some people, while the unpleasant smell triggers allergies (and possibly asthma) for others.

As these scented products become more popular, allergists are seeing more complaints from people about reactions to all fragrances. There's sneezing and coughing, and while there's no allergy testing for these products, people certainly seem capable of having a severe reaction to them.

An allergist gave a presentation on the health risks of fragranced products, citing a 2009 study showing that a significant number of Americans are exposed to pollutants found in the products we use every day.

About 11% of more than 2,000 adults surveyed reported hypersensitivity to popular laundry products; About 31% reported adverse reactions to the fragrance in other people, with about 20% reporting problems (difficulty breathing, headaches) when in the vicinity of air fresheners. For people with asthma, the rate was 34% who had bothersome symptoms around air fresheners or scented candles.

These scented products emit VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which are defined as chemicals that form gases or vapors at room temperature. Some of the VOCs in air fresheners include formaldehyde, petroleum, benzene, styrene, terpenes, alcohol, phosphates, bleach, and even ammonia.

High levels of VOCs can cause eye irritation and breathing difficulties, as well as headaches, dizziness and memory loss. A 2008 study found that a large number of laundry detergents and room deodorizers release potentially dangerous VOCs.

A particular brand of plug-in freshener releases more than 20 VOCs, 7 of which are classified as toxic or hazardous under current federal law. Candles produce soot, organic compounds and VOCs, including benzene and lead.

Today experts estimate that more than 75% of American households use scented air fresheners and other such products. And not just for the holidays, we now expect our homes to smell good all year round, and with this demand, the industry has expanded accordingly.

What's more, these products are not limited to homes. Most fragrance products appear in the workplace. If you like the smell, you probably won't mind, but if it makes you sneeze and cough, you'll probably feel differently. Just because something feels good to you doesn't mean everyone will feel the same way. Often certain smells, such as types of food, can be tolerated, while flowers cannot.

The Fragrance Products Industry Group says that VOCs aren't necessarily bad. They say that whatever smells, it's emitting VOCs.

Air fresheners and other fragrance products in the United States are regulated by the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, both of which require product manufacturers to notify consumers of any exposure or compounds that may contribute to health risks. There are some who feel that these requirements are not strict enough.

If you feel uncomfortable with all scented products, talk to an allergist about your symptoms and exposure to fragrances. There are coping strategies and treatments for door allergies that can help.

The Fragrance Products Industry Group says that VOCs aren't necessarily bad. Air fresheners and other fragrance products in the United States are regulated by the Toxic Substances Control Act and the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, both of which require product manufacturers to notify consumers of any exposure or compounds that may contribute to health risks. If you feel uncomfortable with all scented products, talk to an allergist about your symptoms and exposure to fragrances.

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