FRAGRANCED HOUSEHOLD AND PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS: SOCIETAL CONSUMING HABITS AND AWARENESS ABOUT HEALTH EFFECTS

Abstract

Fragranced consumer products, such as cleaning supplies, air fresheners and personal care products,

can emit a range of air pollutants and trigger adverse health effects. Some fragrance substances have the potential to cause skin and airway sensitisation. The purpose of the study was to analyse the societal consuming habits and awareness of potential health effects of fragranced household and personal care products. The results revealed that one third of the respondents and their family members had respiratory or skin allergies. The majority of the respondents are consuming both scented and frangrance-free household and personal care products. The majority are aware that fragranced household and personal care products can cause respiratory and skin allergies, though don‘t know which fragrant substancies are estimated as potential skin and respiratory allergens. The majority of the respondents indicated that fragrance-free household and personal care products are available at the markets, one fourth that fragrance-free personal care products are available at farmacies. The supply of unscented household products is sufficient for more than half of the respondents. The supply of unscented personal care products is insufficient for more than half of the respondents. All respondents are motivated to use only fragrance-free products in case of their own or family member‘s skin or respiratory allergy. In case of close friend‘s, study or job colleague‘s sensitivity the motivation was significantly lower.