Fragrance exposure matters for pregnancy, early childhood, and pets.
A Practical Approach
Pregnancy is a sensitive developmental window.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) encourages clinicians to discuss toxic exposures before and during pregnancy. It advises choosing “fragrance-free” over “unscented” products to reduce possible exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals.1
Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs)
EDCs can disrupt hormone signaling; phthalates are one example.2
Phthalates DEHP and DBP are now restricted in some products,3,4 while DEP remains permitted and is used in fragrance.5
FDA states that current cosmetic and fragrance uses of DEP do not raise safety concerns.5
DEP: What do the studies show?
Developmental and endocrine findings remain unsettled.6,7,8 A 2026 pregnancy cohort study linked the DEP biomarker
(MEP) with modestly higher blood pressure during pregnancy, but the findings were cross-sectional and do not establish cause.9 Avoiding “fragrance” or “flavor” on labels can reduce DEP exposure.5
Galaxolide (HHCB): Developmental Concerns
Galaxolide (HHCB) is a polycyclic musk. ECHA’s risk committee has recommended classifying galaxolide as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant — presumed to harm the unborn child;10 European Commission adoption is pending as of July 2026.
Fragrance & Children
Babies and young children don't need added fragrance or scent.
Children breathe more air per pound than adults, are still developing, and spend 80–90% of their time
indoors.12,13
More Susceptible
California’s air-quality agency, CARB, identifies infants and young children among those most susceptible to cleaning-product pollutants.14
That susceptibility overlaps with everyday exposure: terpenes such as limonene and α-pinene are commonly found in
schools and kindergartens due to fragranced cleaning product use.15
“Occurrences” are detections across products, not unique chemicals.
Pediatric Guidance Supports Fragrance-Free
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends avoiding chemical air fresheners and scented candles and choosing fragrance-free personal-care and diaper products.13,17
Our Furry + Feathered Ones
What about pets?
Pets share our air, live close to the floor, and groom their fur. They can inhale fragrance emissions or ingest them while grooming.18,20
Direct fragrance-specific pet research is limited; evidence from indoor air pollution and concentrated essential-oil exposures supports caution.19,20,21
Respiratory Health
Indoor air pollution has been linked with respiratory disease in cats.
In one study, higher household PM2.5 was associated with respiratory disease in cats; results for dogs were less clear.19
Essential Oils
“Natural” does not always mean pet-safe.
Pets can absorb essential oils through the skin, lungs, or digestive tract, and risk rises with concentration. Never apply concentrated oils directly to a pet.20
Household Chemicals
Pets experience indoor chemical exposure.
Aerosols and residues can settle on fur, bedding, floors, and paws; grooming can increase ingestion.20,22
Which pets need extra caution?
Cats
Cats metabolize some essential-oil compounds poorly due to an enzymatic deficiency, and their natural grooming behavior increases ingestion risk.20
Birds
Birds’ unique respiratory systems make them especially sensitive to fragrance, aerosols, and other airborne particles.20
Pets with Health Conditions
Indoor particles, incense, aerosols, and fragrance VOCs may be harder for pets with asthma, bronchitis, or other respiratory illness to tolerate.19,20
Young, Senior, or Medically Fragile Pets
Small or medically fragile pets may have less margin for exposure.
Key Takeaway for Our Pets
Fragrance reaches pets through air, residues, and grooming. Fragrance-free products reduce added exposure.
For People: In an emergency, call 911. Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222. For Pets: ASPCA Animal Poison Control: 1-888-426-4435. Pet Poison Helpline: 1-855-764-7661.
References
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). "Reducing Prenatal Exposure to Toxic Environmental Agents." Committee Opinion, No. 832, July 2021.
"Clinical encounters offer an opportunity to screen and counsel patients during the prepregnancy and prenatal periods—particularly individuals most disproportionately affected—about opportunities to reduce toxic environmental health exposures. ""Selecting products labeled "fragrance-free" rather than "unscented" may help reduce exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals because unscented products may contain multiple scents, still bound by phthalates, that are mixed to cancel each other out.
Patients can be counseled that selecting cosmetic and personal care products
without phthalates, parabens, oxybenzone, and triclosan may lower their exposure."↩
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). "Endocrine Disruptors and Your Health." March 2023.
NIEHS describes endocrine-disrupting chemicals as substances that may mimic, block, or interfere with hormones and notes that phthalates are found in products including cosmetics and fragrances.↩
California Legislature. Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act (AB 2762). Chapter 314, October 2, 2020. An act to add Chapter 14 (commencing with Section 108980) to Part 3 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to cosmetics. Approved by Governor and filed with Secretary of State September 30, 2020.
Prohibits 24 intentionally added ingredients in cosmetics beginning January 1, 2025,
including dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).↩
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. "CPSC Prohibits Certain Phthalates in Children’s Toys and Child Care Products." Accessed August 2026.
CPSC explains that DEHP, DBP, and BBP were permanently prohibited above 0.1% in children’s toys and child-care articles by the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008, and that the 2017 final rule added DINP, DPENP, DHEXP, DCHP, and DIBP, bringing the total to eight restricted phthalates.↩
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
"Phthalates in Cosmetics." Content current as of: May 19, 2022. Explains phthalate uses in cosmetics, including their role as solvents and stabilizers in perfumes and fragrance preparations,
and notes DEP’s historic use as a fragrance solvent and fixative.FDA states that per its latest survey of cosmetics conducted in 2010, dibutylphthalate (DBP),
used as a plasticizer in products (e.g., in nail polishes, to make them less brittle); and dimethylphthalate (DMP), used in hair sprays
(to allow for a flexible film on the hair) are both used rarely. DEP appears to be the only phthalate still commonly used in cosmetics. "Based on currently available safety information, the FDA does not have safety concerns with the use of DEP as currently used in cosmetics and fragrances.
Consumers who nevertheless do not want to purchase cosmetics containing DEP may wish to choose products that do not include "Fragrance" or “Flavor” in the ingredient declaration."↩
Weaver, J., et al. (2020). "Hazards of diethyl phthalate (DEP) exposure: A systematic review of animal toxicology studies."Environment International, 145, 105848. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.105848
Reviews animal toxicology evidence for DEP, including reproductive and developmental endpoints, while noting that DEP appears less potent than some other phthalates.In a review of 34 animal studies, DEP showed moderate evidence of male reproductive toxicity (sperm effects), developmental effects (reduced postnatal growth), and liver effects—but, unlike DBP and DEHP, no disruption of androgen-dependent male development. Female reproductive evidence was slight; cancer and kidney evidence indeterminate.↩
Parra, K. L., et al. (2026). "Associations of urinary phthalate metabolite and replacement chemical concentrations with gestational blood pressure." Journal of the Endocrine Society, 10(9), bvag158. https://doi.org/10.1210/jendso/bvag158. Open access under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license.
Prospective U.S. pregnancy cohort (N = 338). "Higher concentrations of monoethyl phthalate (MEP) and ΣPCP [personal care products] were most consistently associated with SBP [systolic] and DBP [diastolic] elevations" in pregnancy. MEP is the urinary biomarker of DEP, and among the 18 metabolites evaluated, "MEP emerged as the strongest contributor to these visit-specific associations."The authors caution that these were cross-sectional associations, not proof of cause: the findings "were tempered by the fact that associations were often only observed for specific quartiles, and did not consistently demonstrate a strong dose response pattern."↩
French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES). "ANSES proposes classifying galaxolide as toxic for reproduction in the European CLP Regulation." Page dated March 2025.
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), Registry of CLH intentions until
outcome — 1,3,4,6,7,8‑hexahydro‑4,6,6,7,8,8‑hexamethylindeno[5,6‑c]pyran; [galaxolide]; [HHCB] (CAS 1222‑05‑5; EC 214‑946‑9; Index 603‑212‑00‑7)."ANSES is proposing a harmonised classification for galaxolide, sometimes referred to as HHCB, as a Category 1B reproductive toxicant under the CLP Regulation (for Classification, Labelling and Packaging of products). This substance, which is widely used in everyday products such as perfumes, cosmetics and air fresheners, can
cause damage to human fertility and development, according to the conclusions of ANSES’s expert appraisal work. Since 27 January 2025, the scientific dossier has been available for public consultation on the website of the
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), for comments or provision of additional information on this substance."
European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Registry of CLH intentions until outcome — Galaxolide (HHCB), CAS 1222-05-5.
The RAC final opinion recommending a Category 1B reproductive-toxicity classification (developmental toxicity) was adopted 4 December 2025 and published 24 March 2026; entry into CLP Annex VI by the European Commission is the remaining step before an automatic cosmetics prohibition would apply.Link provides access to: (1) The RAC opinion (adopted Dec 2025, published Mar 2026) — carries the recommended Repr. 1B, H360D conclusion, and (2) Background document to the RAC opinion with detailed scientific justification behind the opinion.↩
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Safer Choice Fact Sheet — Fragrance-Free vs. Unscented. Accessed August 2026.
EPA distinguishes “fragrance-free” from “unscented”: fragrance-free means fragrance materials or masking scents are not used; unscented products may still contain chemicals that neutralize or mask odors.↩
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). "Why Indoor Air Quality is Important to Schools." Accessed August 2026.
EPA notes that developing bodies of children may be more susceptible to environmental exposures and that children breathe more air, eat more food, and drink more liquid in proportion to body weight than adults.↩
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). "Indoor Air Pollutants." Page Last Updated: 1/08/24.
"Children spend 80% to 90% of their time indoors and therefore are frequently exposed to pollutants in indoor air.""Avoid chemical air fresheners and scented candles, as they do not improve air quality and may release many chemicals into the air. To avoid potential exposure to phthalates, do not purchase products with “fragrance” on the label as these may contain phthalates."↩
California Air Resources Board (CARB). "Cleaning Products & Indoor Air Quality." Accessed August 2026.
"People most susceptible to health effects from exposure to pollutants from cleaning products are infants and small children, professional cleaners, individuals cleaning in small enclosed areas, and people with lung or heart disease.""Currently the amount of reactive VOCs in cleaning products is regulated by CARB due to their
potential to contribute to the photochemical formation of ground level ozone.
For example, terpenes and glycol ethers are reactive VOCs, and the amount used in cleaning products is
limited by these regulations. The total amount of VOCs allowed in a product varies depending on product
category, but is generally set as low as feasible. For many products, the highest percentage of VOCs is
found in the fragrances added to impart a particular scent."↩
Horvat, T., Pehnec, G., & Jakovljević, I. (2025). "Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air: Sampling, Determination, Sources, Health Risk, and Regulatory Insights." Toxics, 13, 344. https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13050344. Open access under a Creative Commons Attribution license.
"Monoterpenes readily undergo chemical reactions with airborne oxidative agents, such as OH•, NO3, or ozone, producing dangerous secondary pollutants such as organic acids, formaldehyde, and SOA [129]." (p. 14 of 36)"Terpenes are used as active solvents in some cleaning products and perfumed agents in consumer products. These substances produce formaldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and SOA in reaction with ozone [185–187].
According to Bello et al. [188], ten-minute cleaning sessions with glass and bathroom cleaners raised overall VOC concentrations for up to 20 min after the cleaning operation ended. Singer et al. [189] investigated concentrations of limonene and showed that it can be found in 10 to hundreds of milligrams per cubic meter in air and persist for many hours after cleaning." (p. 22 of 36)"Indoor air ventilation systems can significantly affect air quality. Several studies have highlighted increased levels of VOC concentrations in areas with inadequate ventilation." (p. 22 of 36) "Terpenes (α-pinene, camphene, limonene) represent the most prevalent group of compounds found in schools and kindergartens due to the frequency of their use as cleaning agents in these settings [218]." (p. 24 of 36)↩
Nematollahi, N., Doronila, A., Mornane, P. J., et al. (2018). "Volatile Chemical Emissions from Fragranced Baby Products." Air Quality, Atmosphere & Health, 11, 785–790. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11869-018-0593-1.
PMC6097056 (free full text).
"Of the 42 baby products tested, 21 products made claims of green, organic, or all-natural. Results of the analysis found 684 VOCs emitted collectively from the 42 products, representing 228 different VOCs. Of these 684 VOCs, 207 are classified as potentially hazardous under federal regulations, representing 43 different VOCs. The
most common VOCs emitted were limonene,
acetaldehyde, ethanol, alpha-pinene, linalool, beta-myrcene, acetone, and beta-pinene. A comparison between ingredients emitted and ingredients listed reveals that only 5% of the 684 VOCs, including
12% of 207 potentially hazardous VOCs, were listed on the product label, safety data sheet, or website."↩
American Academy of Pediatrics Council on Environmental Health and Climate Change. "How to Choose Safer Personal Care Products." American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org. Article by: Lauren Zajac, MD, MPH, FAAP, Last Updated 10/31/2024.
(Hand Soap and Body Wash) "Choose fragrance-free body washes or bar soaps with a few simple ingredients."(Lotion and Body Care) "Choose fragrance-free lotions, since phthalates are often a component of "fragrance" or "parfum" in these products."(Diaper Products) "Use fragrance-free baby wipes or plain water."↩
Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine.
"A Scent-sitive Subject: Essential Oil Diffusers and Your Cat." Accessed August 2026.
"When essential oils are used in fragrance diffusers, the oils are widely distributed within a room. Because many of the oils commonly purchased in stores can be toxic to cats, if a cat breathes in a harmful oil, it may cause respiratory irritation."..."“Not only are these oil droplets
dangerous themselves, but the inhalation of these oils can cause a foreign body pneumonia in cats.”“Essential oils should never be given by mouth or in the animal’s food,”... “Oral ingestion can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and central nervous system depression, which can cause symptoms such as decreased heart and breathing rate. Seizures are also possible from large doses.” ...
"Some diffusers, which act by aerosolizing the oil, release micro-droplets into the air that may collect on the fur of a pet cat. When the cat grooms itself, the oil may be ingested and the cat may suffer the above consequences."↩
Lin, C. H., et al. (2018).
"Association Between Indoor Air Pollution and Respiratory Disease in Companion Dogs and Cats."
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 32(3), 1259–1267. The study assessed total indoor air pollution, not fragrance specifically. "...household PM2.5 level was significantly higher in cats with respiratory disease than in control cats [median 38.6 μg/m3, range 17.8‐131.2
versus median 27.4 μg/m3, range 15.4‐70.0, P = .017]. Cats living in households with PM2.5 > 35 μg/m3 were more likely to have respiratory disease than
those living in households with acceptable levels of PM2.5 (OR = 4.13, 95% CI 1.12‐15.27, P = .03).""The link between IAP and respiratory disease in dogs is complicated. An unacceptable level of household PM2.5 (>35 μg/m3) is significantly associated with respiratory disease in cats.
The effect of IAP on the respiratory health of companion animals warrants further attention."↩
Merck Veterinary Manual.
"Toxicoses From Essential Oils in Animals." Page Last Updated: Mar 2025.
By: Kia Benson, DVM, Pet Poison Helpline & SafetyCall International, LLC, Bloomington, MN | Peer reviewed by Ahna Brutlag, DVM, DABT, DABVT, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota.
"Use of essential oils is widespread, and they can be found in many commercially prepared products as well. These products have a range of intended uses,
including aromatherapy, herbal remedies, cleaning, and, importantly, "natural" flea and tick repellents.""Essential oils are readily and rapidly absorbed through the GI tract, skin, lungs, and mucous membranes. Systemic absorption should be expected, and multiple signs of essential oil toxicosis can develop. The higher the concentration of essential oil, the
greater the risk to the animal. Concentrated essential oils should never be directly applied to pets.""Well-intentioned pet owners might accidentally or purposefully use an essential oil
without knowing the consequences or risks to their pet. Tea tree oil has been the most commonly reported intoxicant in pets.""...cats are more sensitive because they are deficient in the enzyme glucuronyl transferase. This enzymatic deficiency makes cats very sensitive to phenol and phenolic compounds, which some oils contain. Cats’ natural grooming behavior
places them at additional risk from both dermal and oral exposures.""Inhalation of essential oils is also hazardous for any animals that have preexisting respiratory problems, such as the following: feline asthma, airborne allergies, chronic bronchitis, chronic exposure to secondhand smoke.""Birds are at high risk to be harmed, because their unique respiratory tract makes them particularly sensitive to fragrances and aerosolized particles."↩
Khan, S. A., McLean, M. K., & Slater, M. R. (2014). "Concentrated Tea Tree Oil Toxicosis in Dogs and Cats: 443 Cases (2002–2012)."
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 244, 95–99. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.244.1.95. PMID: 24344857.
"Intentional or accidental use of 100% TTO in dogs or cats caused serious signs of CNS depression, paresis, ataxia, or tremors within hours after exposure and lasting up to 3 days.
Younger cats and those with lighter body weight were at greater risk of developing major illness."↩
Ma, T., et al. (2022). "Pet Cats, the Better Sentinels for Indoor Organic Pollutants." Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, 1023818. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1023818The study assessed effects of indoor organic pollutants, not fragrance specifically."Dogs have the ability to metabolise most accumulated indoor organic pollutants; therefore, they are not sensitive enough and are not suitable sentinels for humans. Cats share some clinical symptoms with humans, and the levels of pollutants they accumulate are well correlated with
those in the indoor environment. We conclude that,
in addition to being a qualified companion, cats are good sentinels for indoor organic pollutants."↩
