WebMD: Does Perfume Have Hidden Health Risks?

WebMD, Kathleen Doheny
Published May 12, 2010

May 12, 2010 -- That fragrance you wear, perhaps named after a celebrity, may make you feel sexy and irresistible, but chances are the label isn't telling you everything that's in it, according to a new report. And that could spell trouble, says Jane Houlihan, co-author of the new report, issued by The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in partnership with the Environmental Working Group (EWG). Some chemicals found in fragrances may be hazardous to your health, she says, yet makers of popular colognes, perfumes, and body sprays often don't disclose all the ingredients found in their products. ''The fragrance mixture itself can be comprised of dozens, even hundreds, of individual chemicals, and those don't have to be listed on the label," says Houlihan, senior vice president for research for EWG. The report, "Not So Sexy: The Health Risks of Secret Chemicals in Fragrance," includes test results on 17 fragranced products. On average, Houlihan says, the researchers found 14 "secret" chemicals not listed on the label, and she says some of them have been linked to allergic reactions or hormone disruption. Read the entire article here: http://www.webmd.com/allergies/news/20100512/does-perfume-have-hidden-he...