WECF Warsaw December Women in Europe for a Common Future - WECF Polish Women´s Seminar Women for a Toxic-Free-Future PERFUMES Sonja Haider, German Director, WECF

WECF Warsaw December 20042

3 History Perfumes used to be made from real flowers, aromatic plants or wood Today they are produced synthetically (1 kg rose essence costs 8.000, synthetic scent 50) Perfume Foundation estimates: World sales were at billion dollars in the year 2000 worldwide Approximately over 137 thousand metric tons of aroma chemicals were consumed in the year 2000

WECF Warsaw December Perfumes... consists of up to 200 components... receipes are trading secrets... do have 3 impressions: the head-note, the heart- note and the basic-note... main component is alcohol Alcohol is treated with chemicals to avoid alcoholtax.

WECF Warsaw December Dangerous ingredients + Health effects Phthalates* used to make alkohol undrinkable Negative effect on the hormon system can damage liver, kidneys, the lungs Scents, which are recognised to be allergenic* Allergic reactions (skin irritation, respiratory deseases) UV-filter to stabilise colour Mimic hormones Halogen organic compounds Allergenic and irritate skin Polycyclic musks or nitromusk compounds accumulate in the body Animaltests: effecting the liver

WECF Warsaw December Not-too-Pretty campaign NGOs in America and Europe tested cosmetic products for phthalates 80 % of products contained phthalates, but not listed them Big advertisement in the New York Times 600 articles followed Listed good and bad products

WECF Warsaw December What you can do! Try to avoid synthetic fragrances and perfumes, try essential oils instead If you want to buy perfume, test it on your skin Buy new developed ones Write a letter to producer, if you have problems Ask about ingredients in the shops Look at