Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions

Steinemann, Anne (2016) Fragranced consumer products: exposures and effects from emissions. Air Quality, Atmosphere and Health, 9 (8). pp. 861-866.

[img]
Preview
PDF (Published Version) - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (261kB) | Preview
View at Publisher Website: http://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-016-0442-z
 
67
1067


Abstract

Fragranced consumer products, such as cleaning supplies, air fresheners, and personal care products, are a primary source of indoor air pollutants and personal exposure. Previous research indicates that fragranced products can trigger adverse health effects, with implications for workplaces and public places. This is the first study to examine the multiple dimensions of exposures related to fragranced products and effects in the US population. The study investigated the prevalence and types of fragranced product exposures, associated health effects, awareness of product emissions, and preferences for fragrance-free policies and environments. Data were collected using an online survey with a nationally representative population (n = 1136) of adults in the USA. Overall, 34.7 % of the population reported health problems, such as migraine headaches and respiratory difficulties, when exposed to fragranced products. Further, 15.1 % have lost workdays or a job due to fragranced product exposure in the workplace. Also, 20.2 % would enter a business but then leave as quickly as possible if they smell air fresheners or some fragranced product. Over 50 % of the population would prefer that workplaces, health care facilities and professionals, hotels, and airplanes were fragrance-free. While prior research found that common fragranced products, even those called green and organic, emitted hazardous air pollutants, more than two thirds of the population were not aware of this, and over 60 % would not continue to use a fragranced product if they knew it emitted such pollutants. Results from this study provide strong evidence that fragranced products can trigger adverse health effects in the general population. The study also indicates that reducing exposure to fragranced products, such as through fragrance-free policies, can provide cost-effective and relatively simple ways to reduce risks and improve air quality and health.

Item ID: 49167
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1873-9326
Keywords: consumer produce, fragrance, indoor air quality
Additional Information:

© 2016, The Author(s). This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made.

Date Deposited: 15 Jun 2017 00:29
FoR Codes: 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4206 Public health > 420604 Injury prevention @ 50%
40 ENGINEERING > 4011 Environmental engineering > 401199 Environmental engineering not elsewhere classified @ 50%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9601 Air Quality > 960106 Urban and Industrial Air Quality @ 80%
92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920115 Respiratory System and Diseases (incl. Asthma) @ 20%
Downloads: Total: 1067
Last 12 Months: 94
More Statistics

Actions (Repository Staff Only)

Item Control Page Item Control Page