Musk xylene
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
FDA is collecting samples of products containing the ingredient to determine the level present. The agency also is developing analytical methods to assess the risk to humans from exposure to the ingredient. The concern about musk xylene stems from testing in Germany that found traces of musk xylene in breast milk and fish, indicating that it may bioaccumulate ("The Rose Sheet," Nov. 15, p. 1) The Research Institute for Fragrance Materials (FIRM) has concluded that "musk xylene does not present any health risk as used in cosmetics." The ingredient, a synthetic musk fragrance, is used in household products and detergents as a fixative and masking agent in addition to being used in personal fragrances