It’s pretty clear that synthetic fragrance is not as innocent (nor as desired) as it may have been, once upon a time. Research from the University of Melbourne shows that one in three Australians report health problems, including migraine headaches and asthma attacks, when they are exposed to common fragranced consumer products such as air fresheners, cleaning products, laundry supplies, and personal care products.
Professor Anne Steinemann, world expert on environmental pollutants, air quality, and health effects, says: ‘This is an epidemic. Fragranced products are creating health problems and the effects can be immediate, severe and potentially disabling.‘
Does this resonate with you? Do you struggle with headaches, nausea or itchy eyes when you’re in the vicinity of artificial fragrance? Maybe when in an Uber ride with one of those dangly, smelly trees, in a public loo with an automatic ‘air freshener’, or stuck in a lift with someone wearing perfume?
Perhaps you’re not yet aware of the potential impact that articifical fragrance is having on your health? You might like to read this blog for a little more insight. However, for many of you reading this, having already had that gorgeous a-ha moment when you finally realised that scented products are messing with your well-being, you probably feel a world away from the days where you were scratching at stickers to release the scent (gotta love the good ol’ 90s hey?!). Back then, synthetic fragrance was around, yes, but it seems it is now making its way into all sorts of products and places you might least expect.
I recently saw a lavender scented jigsaw puzzle at a book store, I couldn’t believe it – is it really necessary? In a puzzle? But it got me thinking, where else have I seen fragrance hiding in day-to-day consumer products? I got to searching and found a handful to share with you.
Some of these items may suprise you, I know they suprised me!
A few stand-outs:
〉Scented panty liners and toilet paper – artificial fragrance that close to such a sensitive part of the body seems a little crazy to me.
〉Scented scissors – wouldn’t this encourage children to put scissors near their faces? This is potentially hazardous (and completely unnecessary).
〉Scented hair brush and pool ring – these feel gimmicky; I’m not sure how scenting either of these items serves any purpose.
Consider your stance on artificial fragrance, and if you’re choosing to avoid it, stay alert when shopping because it is clearly creeping into so many random products.
