Serge Krouglikoff/Getty Images
DCL
One of the top cosmetics ingredients to stay clear of, fragrances fall into a gaping loophole in federal law that doesn't require companies to declare any of the myriad toxic chemicals that a single product's fragrance mixture could contain. Artificial fragrances can also trigger allergic reactions and other health problems. (A whiff of those magazine perfume strips is all it takes to give this writer a splitting headache.)
And while hundreds of businesses and some towns have implemented fragrance-free policies, according to the editors of Natural Solutions, we still have a long way to go. Here's what you can do to help:
1. Ring 'em up: Call companies to request complete ingredient disclosure and warning labels.
2. Take e-action: E-mail fdadockets@oc.fda.gov to voice your support for national fragrance regulations. For more information, visit the Web site of the Environmental Health Network.3. Get your write on: Write to your elected representatives and ask them to demand analysis of fragrance chemicals, accurate labeling and full disclosure of all products, and expansion of right-to-know regulations.
4. Be heard: Send negative feedback to establishments that use artificial air fresheners.
5. Stage a buy-cott: Vote with your dollars by purchasing only nontoxic, planet-friendly products.
Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
