The Hidden Dangers of Phthalates in Fragrances: What You Need to Know
Phthalates are a family of chemical compounds that are often incorporated in the composition of fragrances for the improvement of perfumes. These compounds are added to the perfumes in order to modify their time-to-drag and odor retention off the skin as they act as fixatives and solvents. Although phthalates provide additional protection and stability for perfumes, their use in these products has raised some serious health issues. Growing concerns over the potential hazards of using phthalates in perfumes have raised an alarm concerning the need for more studies regarding the use of this chemical which is found in so many products.
Understanding Phthalates in Perfumes: Their Role: The Relation Amid the Risks
In perfumery, phthalates have been used to increase the durability of fragrances and hence to enhance the rate of diffusion of fragrance components on the skin. They also play the role of solvents, combining various luxurious fragrance ingredients so that they create a balanced scent delivery system. Also, phthalates act as solvents to dissolve matter that is too solid to disperse in air and help avoid the loss of scent quickly thus allowing it to last for hours after application. However, the reader should note that these are some of the functions that are served by phthalates despite the fact that they present serious health hazards hence the world has been encouraged to start looking for safer substitutes in the fragrances section.
Possible Health Hazards that Result from Inhalation of Fragrance with Phthalates
Phthalates play a vital role in the creation of these pleasant-smelling products but these same chemicals present a hazard to consumers’ health if ingested accidentally or intentionally. Many luxurious fragrances contain phthalates and that has been attributed to many diseases that range from minor to those that have severe and permanent effects. It is important to note that the above risks are alarming since one cannot easily find phthalates in the products’ list of ingredients. Some of the major effects of phthalate exposure from perfumes are discussed below Health effects.
1. Developmental and Behavioral Concerns
According to the literature, phthalates affected child development and this was most especially when the child was very young or during pregnancy. Some evidence shows that maternal consumption of foods with phthalates before giving birth may cause the child to experience learning disorders and behavioral problems. These potential impacts include:
Impact on Cognitive Development
Kids and more specifically the fetuses that get exposed to phthalates during their early development conditions of the brain can experience learning and memory capabilities. Kids, who were in contact with phthalates before or during their early years, have poor performance in classes and lower intelligence quotient.
Behavioral Disorders
Some studies show that people exposed to phthalates may be more likely to develop developmental disorders, for instance, ADHD, besides other behavioral problems. These disorders have potential that may hinder a child’s capacity to learn, focus and even his or her ability to socially integrate.
2. Respiratory & Immune Systems Risks
Different phthalates used in perfumes are also capable of affecting the respiratory and the immune systems. These include:
Exacerbation of Respiratory Conditions
Phthalates pose a considerable threat to human health and well-being because inhaling the chemical causes asthma and allergies, especially to those who already suffer from the two ailments. This is because the chemicals contained in perfumes can irritate the bronchial tubes increasing chances of inflammation and respiratory problems.
Chronic Respiratory Issues
Chronic use of perfumes containing phthalates may have some lasting effects on the respiratory system such as chronic bronchitis. Constant exposure causes reduced lung capacity and elevated risk of COPD, a kind of lung disease.
Immune System Impact
Recent studies have indicated that exposure to phthalates affects one’s immunity by reducing its capacity and contributing to the formation of auto-immunity diseases and other related diseases such as cancer. As a result, immune responses are reduced which means that the body will have a difficult time fighting off other diseases or infections and may lead to the development of other severe health complications.
3. This also concerns endocrine disruption and impacts on reproductive health
In as much as phthalates are especially found in perfumes, their negative impact in causing an endocrine disruption remains a major worry. The endocrine system is involved with hormones released in the body and any interference with this system is counterproductive to the health of an individual. Phthalates in the list are classified as endocrine disruptor chemicals because they affect the hormones in the body. This disruption can lead to a range of reproductive health issues, including this disruption can lead to a range of reproductive health issues, including:
Hormonal Imbalance
Phthalates can either act as a hormone in the body or inhibit hormone secretion by the body hence disrupting normal hormonal secretion. Some of the symptoms it may produce include; mood swings, fatigue, and in some cases a person may actually gain weight.
Menstrual Irregularities
Some of the effects linked to exposure to phthalates include; they may disturb the menstrual cycle and hence affect the reproductive systems in women. Such fluctuations can also affect conception and lead to pregnancy complications increasing the probability of undergoing the process.
Risks During Pregnancy
Phthalates are capable of being transported across the placental barrier and therefore during pregnancy, the active transport can lead to complications. It has been established that pregnant women who come into contact with phthalates are likely to give birth to preterm babies and the babies may be weighed less and slowed down in their developmental processes.
What does The Perfumist use as a Safe Alternatives
What about other phthalates, what are the other substitutes that The Perfumist makes use of? To ensure our perfumes are safe and luxurious, we turn to ensure our perfumes are safe and luxurious, we turn to:
Natural Essential Oils
Some of the natural extracts from plants include lavender, rose and sandalwood oils amongst others giving a rich aroma while avoiding the use of chemicals.
Natural Fixatives
Some of the additives include frankincense to prolong the life of the scents as well as prevent them from turning rancid; myrrh and ambrette seed.
Natural Fragrance Enhancers
To freshen up our base scents we use extracted fruits, and spices such as, citrus, vanilla, and cardamom, and we do not use synthetic enhancers.
At The Perfumist for perfumes, we endeavor to introduce perfumes that are both aesthetically pleasing to the eyes and safe for use, through these natural substitutes of phthalates.
The Perfumist’s Commitment to Safe and Natural Fragrances
Thus, at The Perfumist, we strive to provide customers with luxurious exclusively as well as safe products that do not contain phthalates. That is why for our perfumes we only use natural products, which are good for you and make your scent unique. All the scents go through a strict process to ensure that their quality and performance are up to par but without exposing you to the dangerous effects of phthalates in the process you get to enjoy a rich scent.
Making People Aware of Phthalates in Fragrances
The Perfumist is committed to informing the possible health hazards that one may be exposed to from phthalates in perfumes. As a result, we feel it is crucial for our audience to know what health effects are related to these chemicals so that they can start choosing more wisely.
Conclusion: Select The Perfumist for Safe, Luxurious Scent
The impact of phthalates in perfumes poses certain risks and hazards to the consumers, thus it is pertinent to educate the public about the dangers of using such products. At The Perfumist, we are much more than just a store, we are very much aware of these dangers which is why we are moving away from phthalates without in any way making customers compromise style or value for safety. When you choose to shop at The Perfumist, then you are endorsing perfumes that will not harm your body but rather gives you the confidence to use the scents that you want. We encourage you to check out our natural perfumes free of phthalate products and become a part of a safer and healthier fragrance movement.
Ali Attar