[Science] Why do fragrances cause health problems for one in three people? – AI

By Ruby Prosser Scully A wide variety of products contain fragrancesVizerskaya/Getty One in three adults say that fragranced products cause them health problems, and one in ten say the effects are so bad that they have missed work or lost jobs, suggests a survey of over 4000 people. But it is unclear whether the symptoms people experience are direct physiological responses, or whether they have a psychological component. Fragrances are used to mask smells or add a nice aroma in to a wide range of products, including in many cosmetics, cleaning supplies, air fresheners, laundry detergents and soaps. Previous surveys have found that people believe they experience a range of health issues when exposed to such fragrances. An increasing number of people are describing themselves as having “chemical sensitivity”, in which low levels of chemicals in their everyday environment trigger a diverse range of symptoms. But little is known about what may be causing these problems. Advertisement Read more: Causing a stink: The truth about fragrances and your health To get a better understanding of how common fragrance sensitivity is and how it affects daily life, Anne Steinemann at the University of Melbourne, Australia, surveyed around 1100 nationally representative individuals each from the US, Australia, the UK and Sweden. These were randomly recruited from a research survey database of over six million people. One in three respondents said fragranced products affected their health. The highest rate of issues was in the US, where nearly 35 per cent reported problems with fragrances. The lowest reported incidence was in the UK, where nearly 28 per cent of respondents said they were adversely affected by fragrances. Does pain feel the same to everyone? Find out from Tom Crowley at New Scientist Live One in five respondents said their health had been affected by being near someone wearing a fragranced product, while one in six said they experienced health problems around air fresheners or in rooms cleaned with fragranced products. The most common health complaint was respiratory problems, affecting one in six participants, followed by migraines and mucosal symptoms such as watery or red eyes. Nine per cent of respondents said they had become sick from fragrances at work, missed workdays or even lost their job due to it. People say they have to avoid using restrooms, using soap in public bathrooms and leave shops due to fragrances. All in the mind? Given one in three people say they these products harm their health, fragrance sensitivity may qualify as an epidemic, Steinemann suggests. The study backs up previous research showing these types of complaints are reasonably common, especially among people with asthma, rhinitis, autism and those who suffer from migraines, says Connie Katelaris, an immunologist at Campbelltown Hospital, in Australia. However, there are no standardised diagnostic tests used to determine whether these effects are physiological or psychological, she says. Symptoms such as runny noses or eyes suggest that sensitivity to fragrances is a physiological reaction, says Katerlaris. But it is also possible that some people experience psychological reactions. Katelaris says that some people worry about the effects such chemicals have on the body and that this could trigger physical symptoms. Read more: Attack of the household products: Hygiene’s hidden risks Physical and psychological responses can also combine in complex ways, says Katelaris. Having a physical reaction like a headache after smelling paint on one occasion might later cause someone to become overly anxious the next time they walk into a new building, because they anticipate new paint smells. Steineman suggests that fragrances should be removed from many products and should not be used in public spaces. She would also like to see products carry clear labels that flag the presence of a fragrances and the ingredients they contain. How sunlight shapes our body and mind: Learn about the crucial role of sunlight at New Scientist Live But Guy Marks, of the University of New South Wales, Australia, says that more evidence on the physiological responses people have to fragrances would be needed to justify such actions. While seven per cent of those surveyed said that fragrances triggered asthma attacks, many people with poorly treated asthma find their sensitivity to fragrances subsides once their asthma is better controlled, says Marks. Journal reference: Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, DOI: 10.1007/s11869-019-00699-4 More on these topics: migraine