Most Americans long for a smell-free environment

From our hand soap to our surface spray, our body wash to our perfume, air fresheners and candles, household cleaners and laundry liquid; scents are all around us, but using them makes little sense according to new research.

In fact, 98.5 per cent of us are exposed to fragranced products on a daily or weekly basis and although they may smell good or clean, they may be making us sick.

The study, by the University of Melbourne, found that one in three Australians report adverse health effects from fragranced products, including breathing problems, migraine headaches, skin irritation and asthma attacks.

The lead author Professor Anne Steinemann, a world expert on environmental pollutants, air quality, and health effects, says the findings echo those of an American study she published last year and a yet-to-be published British study she has just completed.

“I’m investigating this fragrance problem in Australia and around the world and what I’m finding is that it’s an epidemic and that there aren’t that many differences among countries,” Steinemann said.