Artificial fragrances and semisynthetic perfumes: The hidden health risks

Abstract

Both synthetic and natural fragrances have wide applications in personal care and household products. Their roles are to enhance the olfactory appeal and mask unpleasant odors.  Some fragrances are even used in aromatherapy. However, large components of these fragrances include pheromones and volatile organic compounds (VOC), among other compounds. These have a wide range of side effects and could be dangerous to health with long-term use. They may even impact indoor plants. Thus, long-term, repeated exposure to these fragrances in indoor environments, including workplaces, may result in respiratory symptoms, skin irritation, headaches, a weakened immune system, asthma attacks, cardiovascular diseases, hormonal problems, infertility, and neurological and behavioral disorders. 

        This review aims to highlight the biological effects of odor-causing VOC, particularly semisynthetic and synthetic fragrances of personal care and household products, which may impair indoor air quality and negatively impact human health.

         This review also synthesizes recent evidence on endocrine-active constituents in artificial and semisynthetic fragrances, car and indoor air fragrances, air fresheners, etc. highlighting underrecognized exposure pathways, plausible hormonal-disruption mechanisms, and emerging health risks across consumer settings the critical trigger for the occurrence of some acute and chronical pathologies or the aggravation of the existing ones. Moreover, the presented information links support targeted research on bioactive profiling, consumer exposure reduction, and translational guidance for safer product design, aligning with the Functional Food Science scope and priorities for future investigations.

Keywords: synthetic fragrances, semisynthetic aromatic compounds, chronic diseases, endocrine active compounds, hormone disorders