Fight Perfume Pollution

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Fight Perfume Pollution

_http://www.care2.com/greenliving/fight-perfume-pollution.html_

(http://www.care2.com/greenliving/fight-perfume-pollution.html)

 

As public awareness grows about the health problems caused by artificial

fragrance, more companies are providing safer products. What can you do to

help? Ask questions, do research, share information, and remember not to

trust all labels. Most people would never knowingly douse their kids in benzene

or dispense narcotics into their neighborhoods from their dryer vents.

With full ingredient disclosure, educated consumers will be able to decide

what they want to use on their bodies.

Hundreds of businesses and some towns have already implemented

fragrance-free policies in response to the growing number of scent-related

health

problems. In September 2006, for example, New York state passed a law requiring

schools to use cleaning products free of carcinogens, reproductive toxins,

or scents that could aggravate asthma. They based their criteria for the

products on standards certified by _Green Seal_ (http://www.greenseal.org/)

, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C.

8 ways to fight the stink

 

1. Call companies to request complete ingredient disclosure and warning

labels.

2. Email fdadockets to voice your support for national

fragrance regulations. Visit _Environmental Health Network_

(http://www.ehnca.org/)

for more information.

3. Send letters to your congressional representatives asking them to

demand analysis of fragrance chemicals, accurate labeling of all products, and

expansion of right-to-know regulations, so companies will disclose all

ingredients.

4. Voice your displeasure to establishments that use air fresheners.

5. If you have an adverse reaction to a fragrance, report your experience

to the _Consumer Products Safety Commission_

(http://www.cpsc.gov/incident.html) (800-638-2772), the FDA (202-401-9725), and

the manufacturer.

6. To obtain research reports or to test the toxicity of your own product,

air, or other sample, contact a reputable lab, like _Anderson

Laboratories_ (http://www.andersonlaboratories.com/) (802-295-7344).

7. Take individual responsibility for what you let seep down your own

drains. Wastewater plants are not equipped to handle fragrance chemicals,

which contaminate waterways and wildlife.

8. By purchasing only nontoxic products, consumers send the message that

companies will make more money and gain loyal customers if they start using

safer ingredients.