L.A. Guy
01-07-2005, 12:38 PM
Should we be worried about this study? Don't pheromone products contain large amounts of these
synthetic musks?
Musks in Fragrances May Weaken Immune System
FRIDAY, Jan. 7
(HealthDayNews) -- Synthetic musks that are widely used as fragrances in products such as soaps, cosmetics and
detergents may reduce the body's ability to defend against toxic compounds, says a study in the January issue of
Environmental Health Perspectives.
About 8,000 metric tons of
synthetic musks are produced worldwide each year.
In laboratory research using human tissue,
researchers at Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station found that exposure to synthetic musks inhibited the
tissue's natural defenses against toxic compounds from California mussels. This effect persisted long after the end
of the tissue's exposure to the synthetic musks.
The synthetic musk levels used in this study were
several times higher than those found in the environment, the study authors noted. However, these musks concentrate
in fats, including breast milk, and remain in human tissue long after exposure. This means that long-term exposure
to these synthetic musks could result in tissue concentrations high enough to impair natural cellular defenses in
humans, the authors suggested.
"While other studies have shown that humans are constantly exposed to musk
compounds, routine toxicology screens have always shown these compounds to be nontoxic. This study's suggestion
that they could harm the body's ability to fight other toxicants certainly merits further examination," Dr. Jim
Burkhart, science editor for Environmental Health Perspectives, said in a prepared
statement.
synthetic musks?
Musks in Fragrances May Weaken Immune System
FRIDAY, Jan. 7
(HealthDayNews) -- Synthetic musks that are widely used as fragrances in products such as soaps, cosmetics and
detergents may reduce the body's ability to defend against toxic compounds, says a study in the January issue of
Environmental Health Perspectives.
About 8,000 metric tons of
synthetic musks are produced worldwide each year.
In laboratory research using human tissue,
researchers at Stanford University's Hopkins Marine Station found that exposure to synthetic musks inhibited the
tissue's natural defenses against toxic compounds from California mussels. This effect persisted long after the end
of the tissue's exposure to the synthetic musks.
The synthetic musk levels used in this study were
several times higher than those found in the environment, the study authors noted. However, these musks concentrate
in fats, including breast milk, and remain in human tissue long after exposure. This means that long-term exposure
to these synthetic musks could result in tissue concentrations high enough to impair natural cellular defenses in
humans, the authors suggested.
"While other studies have shown that humans are constantly exposed to musk
compounds, routine toxicology screens have always shown these compounds to be nontoxic. This study's suggestion
that they could harm the body's ability to fight other toxicants certainly merits further examination," Dr. Jim
Burkhart, science editor for Environmental Health Perspectives, said in a prepared
statement.