[OEM] Fragrance industry to test for respiratory effects (fwd)

[Guest guest]

Gee, what next....cholorform in fabric dryer sheets? *smirk* *not kidding

actually!*

Subject: [OEM] Fragrance industry to test for respiratory effects

It has long been the fragrance industry's position for some time that

respiratory was not a significant route of exposure to fragrance materials.

However, scented products are frequently cited as triggering and exacerbating

asthma, allergies, sinus problems, and other respiratory conditions. NIOSH has

found it is frequently cited in the workplace as triggering asthma.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/surveillance/ords/NationalStatistics/Highlights/\

Figure09-01(ASTH04).html

The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, the industry organization that

evaluates safety of raw fragrance materials has now put into place a program to

test for respiratory effects.

http://www.rifm.org/WHITE%20PAPER%20IAQ%20DIsola%20v2%2004082004.htm

RIFM's RESPIRATORY SAFETY PROJECT

Consumers exposed to inhaled chemicals are concerned about asthma, lung disease

and neurological effects and whether these problems may be caused or aggravated

by inhaling fragrance.

The objective of RIFM's Respiratory Safety Project is to test the safety of

exposure to inhaled fragrance materials when consumer products are used as

intended. The research approach first characterizes exposures from

representative materials in different product applications and then examines

the potential for those exposures to cause physiological and/or psychological

effects during normal use. Human lung function, respiratory and sensory

irritation are considered to be the most appropriate indicators.

Representatives of the fragrance industry, RIFM's Expert Panel, and outside

technical experts met to develop an experimental approach. Subsequently, a

smaller Working Group was formed to help design research protocols and

interpret results.

Betty Bridges, RN

Fragranced Products Information Network

http://www.fpinva.org