ThE WaNtEd FaShIoNs....

There’s nothing more essential to ones personal style than the subtle, barely recognizable scent making others aware of one’s presence. Fragrances can captivate, mystify, energize, and invoke a sense of comfort or excitement. However, a recent study published by Greenpeace in Brussels claims that numerous well-known fragrances contain potentially hazardous chemicals and possibly, by giving our loved one a costly Valentine’s day gift in an elegantly-shaped bottle, we might be exposing our partner to dangerous substances.

The report, called “Eau de Toxines,” says that a random selection of 36 scents included the dangerous levels of phthalate esters and synthetic musks. According to Greenpeace, virtually all fragrances tested contained components that are potentially dangerous. The environmentalists hired TNO, an independent laboratory in the Netherlands, to test 36 random brands of eaux de toilette and parfum, including Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Male, Calvin Klein’s Eternity and The Body Shop’s White Musk.

“The results confirm that some synthetic musks, most notably the polycyclic musks galaxolide (HHCB) and tonalide (AHTN), and some phthalates, especially diethyl phthalate (DEP), are widely used by the perfume industry,” the report said. “This suggests that regular use of perfumes could substantially contribute to individuals’ daily exposure to these chemicals, some of which have already been recorded as contaminants in blood and breast milk. Furthermore, there is increasing evidence of potential endocrine-disrupting properties for certain musk compounds. In this context, these results reinforce the need for legislation that will drive the replacement of hazardous substances with safer alternatives.”

“Perfume should be a pleasure to give and to wear, not a source of chemical buildup in our bodies,” Helen Perivier toxics campaigner at Greenpeace International, said in the statement.

The Federation des Industries de la Parfumerie, however, refutes the results of Greenpeace research, claiming that all fragrances and cosmetics are closely monitored and undergo safety studies before they hit the market. The results are strictly overseen by French authorities, says their statement, and consumers can continue using fragrances without any risk of poisoning themselves.

“Concerning the two substances put in question by Greenpeace [synthetic musks and diethyl phthalate], they are objects of regular evaluation by independent scientific authorities,” explains the statement. “The safety of the use of diethyl phthalate and synthetic musks, under the condition they are used in fragrances, was recently confirmed by numerous scientific authorities [the Agence Francaise, Comite Scientifique Europeen or the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, according to the case].

“As for the risk of environmental bio-accumulation from polycyclical musks, it was denied by OSPAR [the scientific commission of the European Commission for fauna and flora]. All of this confirms that fragrances conform to recent regulations or to the recommendations from relevant authorities. Consumers can therefore continue to use fragrances trustingly.”