Environmental Health Network |
EHN [of California] P.O. Box 1155 Larkspur, California, 94977-0074 Support and Information Line (SAIL) 415.541.5075 |
Files Petition With the FDA
Dockets Management Branch
Re: 99P-1340/CP 1 Dear Sir or Madam: In May, 1999, the Environmental Health Network (EHN) submitted the above petition to have Calvin Klein's "Eternity eau de parfum" declared misbranded. I am writing because I fully support this petition and request that the FDA give it careful attention with regard to your regulations 21CFR, Sec. 740.1, 21CFR Sec. 740.2, and 21CFR Sec. 740.10. Regulation 21CFR Sec. 740.10 specifically states:
As the petition shows, "Eternity" contains toxic ingredients and ingredients whose safety have not been substantiated. There is no warning label on its packaging. We all have a right to know the status of safety testing of the ingredients in products such as "Eternity" so that we can protect ourselves and our families from toxic chemicals that may cause health problems. Most people are not aware that most fragrance materials have only limited safety testing. They wrongfully assume these products are safe to use in any setting and are surprised when people complain. Like tobacco smoke, the harmful chemicals currently used in these products may effect the health of many people, including: people with asthma, chemial sensitivities, chronic fatigue, and other neurological/immunological illnesses, respiratory illnesses and environmental illnesses. Children are particularly vulnerable to toxic chemicals found in products purchased and used by their parents, care givers and teachers. Furthermore, like the tobacco companies, Calvin Klein targets young consumers, and for this reason school buildings, which are often already riddled with indoor air quality problems, have the added mixture of perfume toxicants for students and staff to deal with. In this time of concern over school violence we should be looking for every way possible to decrease the neurotoxic load on school children. How can we begin to do this effectively without full disclosure of toxic ingredients and labeling of all products for which safety has not been proven? When I am exposed to fragrance products, such as "Eternity," I experience: immediate irritability that worsens to anger as the exposure time lengthens, headaches, asthma, sinusitis, numbness in extremities, disorientation, dizziness, brain malfunction and muscle spasms. If the exposure lasts for 30 minutes or more, the effects can last for days or more. My daughter experiences neurological symptoms and upper respiratory symptoms with exposures. She becomes depressed and starts crying or gets angry, has a headache, and these experiences have greatly hampered her ability to get an education. She was almost failed in high school, not because of grades, but because of absences and an ignorant staff that refused to believe that chemical exposures could incapacitate human beings. This ignorance in 1996 in light of the 1986 Congressional Report by the Committee on Science and Technology on neurotoxins at home and in the workplace, is unexcusable. The report states on the first page:
Dr. Spencer, witness on health effects who testified to the Committee, insisted on adding fragrance raw materials to the list of priorties to be examined for neurotoxicity. "....because of my experience with regard to fragrance raw materials", he said, "..I strongly suspect the American public would like to know what is applied to their skin voluntarily..." (p 13 of the report). In the findings of the report, the Committee states under (e) that "Neurotoxins may deserve a higher regulatory priority [than carcinogens] due to the fact that chronic exposure to neurotoxins at levels that show no signs of being carcinogenic may have often crippling and irreversible neurological effects." (p. 28) Please act on behalf of the millions of people who have suffered physical illness and injury resulting from fragrance exposure at work, at school and in social settings. These toxic chemicals act as powerful barriers to people disabled by asthma and chemical sensitivities. Because of this, toxic chemicals in fragrances have already ruined countless lives. Thank you. Susan Wells Vaughan
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Betty Bridges, FPIN | bcb56@ix.netcom.com |
Barbara Wilkie, EHN | (Barb's email is no longer valid, please contact EHN) |
Return to EHN Petitions the FDA
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http://www.ehnca.org/www/FDApetition/lsusanwv.htm -- 6/17/99
The Environmental Health Network (EHN) [of California] is a 501 (c) (3) non profit agency and offers support and information for the chemically injured. EHN brings you topics on this page that need your immediate attention The URL for this page is http://www.ehnca.org/www/FDApetition/lsusanwv.htm