Expanded Scientific List of Harmful Substances in Fragrance Products
This document presents an evidence-based reference list of harmful or potentially harmful substances found in many commercial air fresheners and fragrance units. It includes data from regulatory agencies and peer-reviewed studies, including:
– [PMC6874985](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6874985/)
– [PMC7825391](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7825391/)
– ECHA, IARC, CDC, and others.
Ethanol (CAS 64-17-5) – Flammable, eye irritant; indoor VOC contributor (H225, H319)
Source: https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.000.643
Propan-2-ol (Isopropanol) (CAS 67-63-0) – Flammable, eye and respiratory irritant; narcotic effects (H225, H319, H336)
Source: https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.000.768
2,4-Dimethylcyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde (CAS 68039-49-6) – Skin sensitiser, eye irritant, aquatic chronic hazard (H315, H317, H319, H412)
Source: https://ifrafragrance.org
Diphenyl ether (CAS 101-84-8) – Eye irritant; used as fragrance carrier (H319)
Source: https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.003.635
OTNE (Iso E Super) (CAS 54464-57-2) – Skin irritant, sensitiser, aquatic toxicant (H315, H317, H411)
Source: https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.050.172
Limonene (CAS 138-86-3) – Respiratory irritant, allergen, aquatic toxicant (H315, H317, H411)
Source: https://echa.europa.eu/substance-information/-/substanceinfo/100.002.628
Lilial (Butylphenyl methylpropional) (CAS 80-54-6) – Reproductive toxin; banned in EU (H360)
Source: https://echa.europa.eu/-/echa-adds-butylphenyl-methylpropional-to-the-candidate-list
Galaxolide (CAS 1222-05-5) – Synthetic musk; bioaccumulative; potential endocrine disruptor
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6874985/
Musk ketone (CAS 81-14-1) – Synthetic musk; persistent, bioaccumulative
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6874985/
Benzenemethanol (Benzyl alcohol) (CAS 100-51-6) – Respiratory irritant and allergen
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6874985/
Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) (CAS 128-37-0) – Antioxidant; associated with endocrine and organ effects
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6874985/
Phthalates (e.g. DEP, DBP) (CAS Various) – Linked to hormone disruption and reproductive harm
Source: https://www.cdc.gov/biomonitoring/Phthalates_FactSheet.html
Parabens (CAS Various) – Preservatives; suspected endocrine disruptors
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7825391/
Formaldehyde (CAS 50-00-0) – Carcinogen, respiratory irritant (H350)
Source: https://www.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Monographs-100F-29.pdf
Acetaldehyde (CAS 75-07-0) – Probable carcinogen (Group 2B), respiratory irritant
Source: https://monographs.iarc.who.int/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/mono71-007.pdf
Methoxymethylbutanol (CAS 55934-93-5) – Solvent; limited toxicological data available
Source: https://koparoclean.com/blogs/koparoclean-blog/behind-the-scent-demystifying-the-ingredients-found-in-popular-air-fresheners