Are Your Perfumes Polluting You?

Not so far in the distant past a study on water pollution found that common, everyday makeup products being washed down the drain was ending up in well and drinking water. Now a study has found that people are polluted themselves, usually in very minute amounts. Many of the pollutants are linked to cancer and other serious, adverse health conditions. The key culprits of this pollution? Common household items that, interestingly, appear to be used more by women than men. These include household cleaners, makeup, hair spray and commercial, chemically made perfumes. The same perfumes that are frequently advertised as having some sort of beneficial effect on the body and were even suggested as a replacement for natural essential oils because they were standardized. To date studies on the effectiveness of fragrance oils and health benefits have been inconclusive, something neglected to be mentioned. If the chemical scent has cancer causing properties, it may not make sense to try and use it for helping you sleep or lowing your blood pressure. Manufactures ague that the risk is non-existent as the levels of chemicals found in the tests subjects systems were so small. However with over 60 chemicals being found, many of which were non-existent prior to the turn of the century, researchers make note that these chemicals combined may be enough to cause problems.

Since the products mentioned are frequently used by women, it leaves one to wonder if conditions, seemingly unheard of prior to the turn of the century, are linked to man made chemicals? Perfumes in particular, when chemical, have been linked to sensitivity problems, asthma and other allergic reactions. Some groups are petitioning the FDA to mandate they place warning labels on each bottle. Essential oils and real fragrance oils (such as oil infusions and attars) provide a wonderful alternative to commercial fragrances. They also have other properties and effects on the body which have been scientifically proven. In addition, you can actually formulate your own signature scent quite easily! There are many books on perfume blending and the use of essential oils, some quite in-depth and others rather fun. There are many companies now making perfumes from pure essential oils as well. Make sure the essential oils are Steam distilled, Aromatherapy grade and if at all possible 100% Organic. Also make sure that scents such as Amber and Musk are from a blend of essential oils as they are frequently chemical. The same is true for scents such as strawberry, violet, etc. According to a news story on the study, the best way to help curb the level of pollutants in

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