A database of fragrance chemicals found in children's products reveals information gaps

According to the Indian researchers who compiled the chemicals’ database, there is a need for better risk assessment and regulation of fragrance substances in children's products. 

Due to the collaboration between two Research Institutes: the Institute of Mathematical Sciences in Chennai, India and the Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences in Leipzig, Germany; a Fragrance Chemicals in Children's Products (FCCP) database of 153 fragrance substances has been created using published literature. 

The team, led by Areejit Samal, classified the substances based on their structure. Several of the fragrance chemicals were discovered to be potential carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxicants, and skin sensitizers. In vitro data from the US Environmental Protection Agency's ToxCast programme helped in identifying seven skin sensitising chemicals in the FCCP database. 

It is pointed out that children can be exposed to fragrance chemicals through their skin, inhalation, or ingestion. However, the fragrance industry's safety testing has primarily focused on dermal exposure, therefore, more research is needed on toxicological or disease pathways associated with other routes of fragrance chemical exposure in children. 

The researchers believe their database will be useful to regulatory agencies as it will enable future toxicological and exposome research and facilitate risk assessment of fragrance chemicals. 

Last update: 2021-12-17