Beware of Calvin Klein’s “Eternity
eau de parfume”
jump to links
As emphasized in the Safe Shopper’s Bible, fragrances and
perfumes in cosmetics, personal and household products are leading
causes of allergy, sensitization, and irritation. Animal toxicity
studies have found many to be hazardous. Fragrances are called “indoor
air-pollutants” by chemically sensitive individuals.
The National Institute of Occupational Safety and
Health has reported that the fragrance industry uses up to 3000
ingredients,
predominantly
synthetic, some 900 of which were identified as toxic. However,
the industry is not required to disclose ingredients of fragrances
and perfumes on their labels due to trade secrecy considerations.
The FDA supports this non-disclosure on the grounds that "consumers
are not adversely affected -- and should not be deprived of the
enjoyment" of these products.
An analysis of six different mainstream perfumes
by Scientific Instrument Services, released in November 1998, identified
over 800 ingredients with distinctive patterns
for each perfume. These ingredients include a wide range of volatile and
semi-volatile organic chemicals which are thus a significant
contributors to indoor air pollution.
On May 11, 1999, the California Environmental Health
Network filed a Citizen Petition with the FDA requiring warning
labels
on all fragrances which are
marketed without prior adequate safety testing. Additionally, the petition
requested the
FDA to take administrative action and declare Calvin Klein’ Cosmetic Company "Eternity
eau de parfume" as "misbranded." This petition has been supported
and endorsed by the CPC. While Eternity perfume has been known since 1995 as
toxic to the respiratory tract and nervous system, the petition was based on
recent analysis of the perfume by two independent laboratories, Scientific Instruments
Services and the cosmetic industry’s Research Institute of Fragrance Materials
Laboratory. Of all 41 ingredients identified, no toxicity data are available
on some, data on most are inadequate, and others are known to be toxic to the
skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, and reproductive and nervous systems
by routes including skin absorption and inhalation. Additionally, two ingredients
(phenylmethyl acetic acid ester and 2,6–bis (1,1–dimethylethyl) –4–methyl–phenol)
were identified as carcinogens. The FDA has 180 days to respond to this
petition. However, any positive response is most unlikely.
Neways International, a leading alternative safe
consumer products company, has taken a precedential initiative
in the area of fragrance safety. The
few fragrances
used in Neways personal care products contain less than 10 ingredients,
most of which are natural. As importantly, none of the few synthetics
used are
known to be toxic or carcinogenic. In the near future, these products
will be labeled
accordingly.
Press
Release on Calvin Klein Perfume Toxicity
