But very few people are aware of the true cost of those scents and smells. The laws governing fragrances are some of the least restrictive of all in consumer products. In fact, fragrances are considered trade secrets and as a result, companies are not required to list the ingredients of their fragrances on labels. They can literally put anything in there, and it's covered legally as a "fragrance trade secret".
In fact a recent study that reviewed the air vented from household dryers found over 600 volatile organic compounds, not a single one of which was disclosed on the labels of the products used in the tests. A more complete description of the results of that study can be found at Mercola's articled titled The Household Appliance that releases 600 Potentially Dangerous Chemicals into the Air, but here are some of the highlights.
First, manufacturers are not required to disclose ingredients on Cleaning supplies, air fresheners, or laundry products.
Second, contrary to popular belief, MSDS sheets are not as comprehensive as thought. There is no requirement for a manufacturer to disclose all ingredients on a MSDS! And again fragrance mixtures are exempt from disclose completely.
Most chemicals that have had any level of testing at all are tested in isolation, not in combination with other chemicals and compounds. Any multi-chemical compound cocktail might have completely different interaction with our bodies than the individual chemicals themselves would. However, it's estimated that fewer than 10% of the chemicals, compounds or ingredients used in our consumer products have ever even been tests for safety individually anyway.
It just makes sense that what goes into your washing machine comes back out somehow. Only a very small amount gets washed out with the water. In fact, fabric softeners are designed to have persistence within your clothes, and never get washed completely out.
This can cause some pretty significant problems for people who suffer from MCS, multiple chemical sensitivities. Some studies have shown that as many as 10-11% of the population suffers from MCS on some level, so constant skin contact with fragrances and chemicals could be seriously reducing their health and wellness.
My advice is to find a company that manufactures products that ever have these chemicals in them to begin with. An attitude of consumer advocacy is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing a source for your household products. Companies with these standards are out there, make sure you do your homework! Links to live Environmental Working Group's Consumer Safety section
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