I developed Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) in the OR (operating room) where, for years, I breathed all sorts of low-level anesthetics (halothane, enflurane, and methoxyflurane). I also inhaled the very smelly (highly toxic) bonding glue methyl-methacrylate that we used for hip replacements in adjoining suites.
Several nurse friends had anaphylactic allergic reactions during those cases (and had to transfer to other areas), but we never knew why. As the months rolled by, I developed headaches that lasted 4-5 hours after leaving.
I’ve had to stop asking a sweet older friend over whose clothing smells strongly (sickeningly) of fabric softener. I can’t bring my myself to tell her she can use 1/4 cup of white vinegar in the fabric softener cup or or to use a wool dryer ball.
Research shows that chemicals including VOCs (volatile organic compounds) have direct, quick access to the brain through the nasal passages causing central nervous system disorders & allergic reactions. (source)
I believe many of our daily home and workplace smells are in the same category, wreaking damage to us on many levels, often not even noticed until a complex health issue arises!
Even in 2020, for many, the thought of their laundry or personal care products being a source of unwanted health-destroying chemicals in their household sounds strange.
For someone who is trying to figure out how to heal from long-term disease or why they are sick in the first place, man-made fragrances will be a part of the puzzle, and should be understood.
Artificial Fragrances are Dirt Cheap To Manufacture
Because of the higher cost of true essential fragrance oils, corporations have gone to cheap synthetic “imitation” fragrances made in laboratories from derivatives of petroleum and coal tar. (source).
These include VOCs capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders & allergic reactions such as:
- benzene derivatives
- aldehydes,
- ketones,
- alcohol denaturants
- other known toxics & sensitizers
These man-made smells are a tiny fraction of the cost.
They are packaged beautifully.
And you think you are getting an amazing product.
Manufactured fragrances enable marketing firms to emphasize their “unique fragrances” and customers develop brand loyalty based on scent as we will see in a minute.
Chemical “fragrance” or “parfum” is found in:
- lotions and serums
- shampoo
- scented candles
- dryer sheets
- cleaners
- cosmetics
- air fresheners
- plug-ins
- wax melts
- deodorants
- soaps
- sunscreens
- perfumes
- colognes
- body sprays
- laundry detergent
The Industry’s Toxic Secrets
(Source)
To corporate chemists, these truths are certainly known, but decisions of stockholders and the bottom line – in most cases – is of utmost importance to the company.
“Virtually none of these single or combined ingredients are tested for central nervous system safety despite the fact that chemicals in fragrances are known to be neurotoxic and/or carcinogenic” (source).
Residues of chemicals in laundry detergents and products like Febreze remain on clothing after it is washed.
Clear evidence of this can be found in scented products, because chemical fragrances would be useless if they were simply washed out.
Narcotic and Hormone-like Effects Are Addictive
Daily exposure to the chemicals in perfumes and colognes creates chemical dependency (addiction).
As with all other forms of addiction, people tend to use more and more fragrance over time and switch to stronger and stronger fragrances, because they don’t feel the desired effect.
There is no “right to know” for fragranced products: Ingredients in fragrances are considered to be “proprietary” or “confidential” and do not have to be revealed to the consumer even when the product has been reported to cause human health problems. (source)
Fragrances God Gave Us vs. Artificial Fragrances
As a researching mom using natural essential oils medicinally for well over 20 years, I now recognize synthetic fragrances when I smell them.
These fakes possess the power to give me a headache or respiratory congestion similar to breathing automobile exhaust. You will immediately discern between imitation fragrances that come from factories and the fragrances that God has given to us.
When I smell the spring Korean spicebushes or the summer butterfly bushes outside my door my spirits lift, and I am captivated by God’s good gifts. Plant essential oils have the capacity to heal, because they preserve the life-giving substances that were naturally present in the plants that heal (Gen. 1:29, Rev. 22:2)
Test Yourself to See If You are Sensitive
In later stages of MCS, when the immune system can no longer handle the toxicity, the sense of smell becomes hypersensitive.
These people (like me) are essentially canaries in the coal mine. This PubMed study is consistent with that.
If you suspect you may be sensitive to synthetic fragrances, or are developing MCS, test yourself in the detergent aisle or lawn care aisle of a superstore.
There is one telltale sign: If the smell of the newly manufactured synthetic products [chemicals] is sickening to you, possibly even bringing on a runny nose or sneezing, slight headache or breathing problems, you can be pretty sure that you’re already chemically sensitive or are on your way to becoming so.
If you stop chronic exposure now, your immune system can still recover. Please don’t wait. You may be in danger of developing an environmental illness.
Lists of MUCH SAFER products I’ve discovered and use:
- 9 Less-Toxic & Non-Toxic Nail Polish Brands
- Chemicals In Our Skin Care Products: 25 Safer Alternative Picks
- Protect Your Hide: 9 Of The Safest Sunscreens For Kids (& You)
- 19 Known Safe Essential Oils For Children & Babies
“You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.“ ~1 Corinthians 6:20
Cora Mae Ofstie
I find artificially scented products very offensive. I have had migraine headaches since age 10. Finally since I am post menopausal they have nearly stopped. I am still very bothered by theses nasty products.
K
I know that the Primal Pit Paste people occasionally sell a body spray that’s not bad for you, but are there any other places to get a healthy “perfume” or body spray?
Jacqueline
K, you might consider a true essential oil. I have been wearing some of my favorites for years.
I recommend Balsam de Peru. The line from a review describes it perfectly: “Smells so nice, woodsy, rounded, sweet, almost like vanilla caramel taffy of something.” http://amzn.to/2bTzMwx
Also, look into nerouli. Neroli comes from the blossom of the orange tree. You might not be familiar with it, but it is a most delicate and intricate scent: http://amzn.to/2bTAJVz
You will need to add these to a carrier oil (dilute it in some way to apply) such as jojoba. Not for internal use and only use on skin when diluted.
I hope that helps!
Katie
I have chemical sensitivities to the point that even essential oils are a problem. Homeopathic medicines are helping heal my chemical sensitivities and the symptoms associated with it. See http://www.joettecalabrese.com to learn about homeopathy. It’s much more affordable than even herbs, essential oils, etc. Homeopathic medicines do not have side effects, they root out the disease, and when you’re healed, there is no need to keep taking the medicine (unlike pharmaceutical drugs and supplements). The preparation method also uses very small amounts of the key ingredient (unlike essential oils).
Jacqueline
Thank you, Katie! I have heard of Joette C. I will visit her site. We use quite a few homeopathics, and in fact, it is homeopathics that our naturopath used to heal us from Lyme! We are so healthy again and feel great!! I am praying for you, friend!
Darla
I wish everyone knew how harmful the chemicals in fragrances are to them and the people around them. I know many people who are into more natural, or even all natural, health treatments, yet they use fragrances! If only they knew what they are exposing themselves and those around them to.
The fragrance industry is self regulated for a reason. It’s been clearly proven how harmful the chemical in their fragrances are, yet they are not required to disclose one single ingredient – all they have to do is list their trade secret formulas as “fragrance.” Then they claim their products are safe. But loads of scientific research has proven his unsafe fragrances are with the neurotoxins, carcinogens, and many other harmful ingredients in fragrances.
Jacqueline
Yes, Darla, I wish more knew that. That is one of the reasons I write. I especially pray mothers and mothers-to-be will become aware and change this one particular habit. Thanks!
P. Smith
Thank you for addressing this critical area.
The chemicals in fragrances can accumulate in and damage any system in the body. Any system of the body can be affected, at any time.
The effects are not always predictable. Stomach and bowels one time. Seizures another. Hearing or sight.
It depends on which nerves are most susceptible AT THE TIME OF EXPOSURE.
The effects are cumulative.
If the liver is damaged enough that it cannot clear out the poisonous chemicals, the effects of those chemicals are permanent damage.
The chemicals are so poisonous that the effects are listed in the American Disabilities Act. If one’s life functions are disabled due to chemicals, and more
chemicals come into their environment, the molecules of those chemicals cause further damage and can be life threatening.
Not only factory-made chemicals damage.
Also, such groups as salicylates, phenols, oxalates, etc.
The cumulative effects cause so much disruption and damage to the CNS and metabolism and digestion and elimination, the circulatory and respiratory systems, that the brain does not get enough oxygen.
Look up the effects of hypoxia.
We do not have the right to poison our neighbors.
Our neighbors do not have the right to poison us.
“Love one another as I have loved you” is the Greatest Commandment.
Jesus did not poison us with fragrances.
Fragrance is the scriptures is the holines of God’s people ascending unto HIM.
People use fragrances because their thinking and their living is not holy.
The use of fragrances in the scriptures is not to saturate everything and every cell with smells.
Preparation for the wedding ceremony, for burial, and use by prostitutes to entice, is all I have found in the Bible.
A good question to ask oneself: is the desire to smell nice out of a desire to be pure unto God, or is it to feel pretty or handsome? The latter is a desire to be attractive to the opposite sex, based on false beliefs.
What is attractive to God?
Purity , living unto HIM, doing unto others as Christ would do.
Thank you again for addressing this.
Fragrances and other outgassing chemicals are one of the greatest causes of disability and misery on the earth.
The references are substantial, and easily obtainable, for anyone with eyes to see and ears to hear.
Jacqueline
Thank you, P. Smith for your insightful responses! These “smells” make us sick, even when we don’t realize it!
Julia
Once we began slowly switching to a more natural, synthetic fragrance-free home, I was shocked to find that I found some synthetic fragrances unbearable when I was exposed to them. I had to forbid anyone to accidentally buy scented trash bags, etc.; apparently my body had developed a coping mechanism for dealing with a synthetic fragrances over the years but now said, “No!”. Now that we know better about synthetic fragrances we are shocked at the marketing of them. From floral spirals in ads to fun social media marketing filters to the insane marketing of men’s fragrances body products, our culture has been ingrained with a fear of “smelling badly”. Thank you for reminding us that we have far better and healthier options!!
Mandy
Thank you for this article! I found it very interesting because my husband is extremely sensitive to smells! Not just chemical ones but also natural ones. Scented candles are banned and I try to avoid all scented cleaning or laundry products but occasionally I forget or am unable to find something I normally use and buy a substitute only to find he can’t tolerate th smell! I can’t bring lilacs or similar scented flowers into the house though either. Once he did buy me perfume and it was such a special gift because I know how difficult it was for him having to smell so many samples trying to find one he liked!
It has been difficult at times because people often don’t understand. It took me a while! One of our sons is also sensitive ( but not to the degree of his dad I don’t think) but seeing his frustration as a child helped me better sympathize with my husband. We had an unfortunate incident with a close family member who we needed to maintain close contact with but who used some kind of lotion or detergent that really made him sick. She was upset and offended even though we tried so hard to explain and it took a while to restore the relationship.