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C
O V E R S T O R
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O D E T O
O D O U R |
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 Civet:
Civet
paste used in
perfumery is
obtained from
the glands of
civet cat, found in Africa, India,
Malayasia and Indonesia.
 Musks:
Animal musks have had a
long history of
use in perfumery
and in medicine.
Musk grains/
pods are obtained
from the preputial
glands of the musk
deer.
Smell of death
Experts say loss of species is now
running upto 1000 times its natural
rate. While aroma makers are
by no means the largest users of
living organisms, its time to exercise
caution. Certainly any product
that requires threatened species as
its cooking ingredient must be
banned at once!
All about synthetics
Today’s fragrances are more than
90 per cent synthetic chemicals. As
many as 7000 Volatile Organic
Compounds (a very large family of
chemicals which includes all the
organic compounds containing
carbon, and which readily evaporate
into the air) are used in the
fragrance industry in combinations
that make our neurosensors believe
that we are smelling a particular
scent. We can create everything
from rose-scented body lotions to
the lemony smell of soaps. Copies
of expensive Frenchperfumes,
made of cheap synthetics, of
course — dominate the market.
The problem is: at least 80 per
cent of these ingredients have
never been tested for human
toxicity. In other words, no one
really knows what kind of impact
these chemicals—found in our
everyday-use items have on a
human body!!!
Safety net
Worldwide: They are called the
Premarketing Notifications (PMNs). Before any new chemical is introduced
for use, the companies must
produce reports on its effect on
health and environment. So say
the the European Directive on
Dangerous Substances. In the
United Staes, too, aroma plants
must comply with the “Right to
Know” laws. But how fool-proof
are these measures? No one knows.
India: Non-existent laws. Most
of these products here are sold
over the counter, not as items that
need prescriptions from experts.
So most safety norms do not apply
to them at all...
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What should we do?
Fragrances can be classified into two broad categories: Natural and
Synthetic
Natural fragrances
‘Natural’ does not mean harmless. Some may cause severe allergic
reactions. Here are a few precautions that you can take:
Not Neat: Aromatic products should not be used without dilution
on the skin.
Patch Test: When using a product for the first time, do a skin patch
test. Place a small amount of the substance on the inside of your
elbow and apply a bandage. Wait 24 hours to see if there is any form
of reaction.
Stopping Stage: Some fragranced products should be avoided
during pregnancy, and by those with asthma, epilepsy, or with other
health conditions.
Lesser the Better: Reduce the use of fragranced products as much
as possible. If one drop of an essential oil will do the job, for
example, don’t use two drops.
Keep from Kids: Keep children away from fragranced products,
especially aromatic oils.
Not All: Oils like Camphor, bitter almond, onion, Wormood should
only be used by qualified aromatherapy practitioners.
Use Externally: All products should be used externally. They can be
consumed only if advised by a trained aromatherapy practitioner.
Synthetic fragrances
Synthetic fragrances are even more harmful. The potential hazard of
these synthetic fragrance materials is under so much scrutiny that
some Canadian provinces have forbidden the wearing of perfume
and cologne in public places! This is what you can do to ensure your
safety:
Chemical Fragrances: Purchase truly fragrance-free and less-toxic
products. Encourage friends, family, and colleagues to do the
same.
Fragrance-free surrounding: Fragrance chemicals not only
contribute to indoor Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) levels.
VOCs from things such as glues, paints, room deodorizers, chemical
cleaners also need to be limited. Encourage fragrance-free or
less-toxic workplaces and public buildings.
Push for laws: Lobby the government to set regulations that
recognise the hazards of Volatile Organic Compounds.
Express Concern: Inform the Industry (may be through media)
about the need for accurate product labelling, about the health risks
of the use of hiding scents in products labelled “Scent-free”, or
about the use of perfume strips in magazines.
In other words, learn to distinguish good smell from bad smell... |
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