Artificial fragrances in perfumes, soaps, shampoos, cosmetics, air fresheners and scores of other personal health care products are widely regarded as nontoxic.

Non-toxic, however, does not mean safe for the marine environment, as a new California Sea Grant study shows. In a series of experiments with California mussels, scientists have discovered that synthetic musks, while not directly toxic to an organism, increase its sensitivity to toxic agents in the environment. The finding raises concerns that these very common household compounds may pose unanticipated environmental as well as human health risks. The results were published recently in Environmental Health Perspectives, a journal of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

For more information: http://www-csgc.ucsd.edu/STORIES/Fragrance_Epel.html

Top | Story Archive