In August 2016, veteran fragrance chemical researcher Anne Steinemann, PhD, published several reports describing the scope of how scented products impact our daily lives. Dr Steinmann’s research in Australia, UK, USA and Sweden study found that 32.2% of the adult population report adverse health effects from synthetic fragrance, experiencing a myriad of symptoms, including respiratory problems (18%), mucosal symptoms (16%), migraine headaches (15%), skin problems (10%), asthma attacks (8%), neurological problems (7%), cognitive issues (5%), gastrointestinal symtoms (5%), cardiovascular problems (4%), immune system problems (4%), musculoskeletal problems (3%), and “other” problems (1%).
In some countries fragrance sensitivity is so widely acknowledged that it is now considered a disabling health condition covered under disability legislation, affecting around 9.5% of the population.
Further, Dr Steinmann’s research reports that 9% of the population have lost work days or lost a job in the past year due to illness from synthetically-fragranced product exposure in the workplace. Personal estimated costs due to these lost workdays and lost jobs, across the four countries exceed $146 billion (USD) annually.
