ABOUT

Smart discussion of the latest science and news on toxins in your food, water, and air, and what government agencies should be doing to protect public health. Written by EWG staff.

DONATE TO EWG TODAY

We need you to help protect your health and environment!  Please donate $5 to EWG today.

GET EWG'S TIPS & ACTION ALERTS

Sign Up here to receive email updates and tips from EWG and stay informed on the issues that matter most to you.

Get EWG widgets & blog badges.

ENVIROBLOG TO YOU

 Enviroblog in your Reader

ENVIROBLOG VIA EMAIL

Delivered by FeedBurner

Kid-Safe Chemicals Act YouTube
Environmental Working Group's Facebook Page

Twitter

    Cell Phone Radiation Blog Series - All In One Place

    Rubber Ducky: You're so not the one

    Epigenetics hits the mainstream

    Cosmetics Safety Series - Part 2: Mind the (data) gap

    SEARCH ENVIROBLOG

    FIND PAST POSTS

    FEATURED

    Why, oh why is there plastic in my aluminum water bottle?

    Cell phone radiation series - Part 2: 8 Ways to reduce your exposure

    So what products CAN we use?

    Infant formula: How to choose it & use it

    EWG's Tips for Parents: The Series

    EWG's Tips to avoid BPA exposure

    Let's talk some serious shop about TSCA reform

    EWG on TV

    Cutting the Pork from U.S. Farm Bill

    Toxic Tub?

    Sunscreen safety & DC drinking water

    Perchlorate in people, kids' personal care products & plastics, and sunscreen

    BPA in baby formula & safe cosmetics

    Ask EWG

    What can I do about fluoride in my water?

    What is new carpet treated with? What can I do?

    What is "fragrance"?

    Which infant formula is best?

    Are stainless steel water bottles safe?

    Is mineral-based makeup safer?

    Ask EWG Archives

    Top Blog Award

    Top  blogs award

    PEOPLE TALKING TOXICS

    Breast Cancer Fund

    The Daily Green

    Eco Child's Play

    Environmental Defense Fund

    Green Moms Carnival

    Grist

    Healthy Child, Healthy World

    Huffington Post Green

    NRDC's Switchboard

    Organic.org

    Safer States

    TreeHugger

    TALK TO US

    Did we miss something? Email Enviroblog.

    « Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel does bang-up job on BPA | Main | Phthalates, phthalates everywhere »

    Santa, please bring me toxin-free fragrance

    By Jovana Ruzicic, Former EWG Press Secretary

    December 24, 2008

    woman-spraying-perfume.jpg

    My world has changed much since I arrived at EWG in 2006. Unlike most of the other staff members, I don't have a background in science. I studied journalism and public relations. To be honest, most of my school years were spent skipping science classes.

    And then I started working here. Since then, I've used EWG's research and greener living tips not only for work, but for my personal life also. I do my best to avoid toxins and make better shopping decisions.

    But there is one thing that I struggle with the most -- it's perfume. Having grown up in a country (Serbia) where as soon as you are born, people spray you with perfume, it's fair to say that I'm a fragrance junkie. You can just imagine my reaction when I hear that my favorite Channel, Dior and Givenchy are loaded with toxic chemicals!

    So, my wish for Santa is simple. I want to be able to continue spraying on my fragrances, minus the toxic chemicals.

    Under the current law, manufacturers of personal care products, don't have to disclose what chemicals make up their fragrances, on grounds that the mix is a trade secret. That label hides dozens and sometimes even a hundred chemicals.

    What I hope Santa will bring to me and all other fragrance lovers out there is a new law that would better regulate the personal care products and keep the toxic chemicals out of them. Then, we would still be able to smell good without being endangered by potent chemicals. It's not too much to ask.

    « Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel does bang-up job on BPA |