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saved byelsamary on 2008-07-24

• But there are numerous reports of people -- particularly those with asthma, chemical sensitivities and allergies -- having strong adverse reactions, researchers said.

  
  

  That's a problem when public restrooms in restaurants or airplanes use air fresheners, or when hotels wash towels and sheets in scented laundry supplies. And even when the concentrations are low in individual products, people are exposed to multiple sources on a daily basis.

• even products labeled "unscented" sometimes contain a fragrance and a "masking" fragrance to make them odor-free.
• Ten of the 100 volatile organic compounds identified qualified under federal rules as toxic or hazardous, and three of those -- 1,4-dioxane, acetaldehyde and chloromethane -- are "hazardous air pollutants" considered unsafe to breathe at any concentration, according to the study.
• These technical documents provide ingredient information for the safety of workers and emergency responders. They, too, disclosed little detail, mostly citing ingredients such as "essential oils" and "organic perfume."
• He said the items can slip between regulatory cracks by falling into the jurisdiction of multiple government agencies, none taking ownership.
• In the absence of strong laws, the marketplace is starting to regulate itself.