RIFM
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Research Institute for Fragrance Materials "strives to be the international leader for the safe use of fragrance ingredients, and has ongoing research programs in the areas of fragrance allergy, human health effects, respiratory safety and environmental impact," President Ladd Smith states in a letter to the editor of Environmental Health Perspectives published in the November issue of the journal. Smith responds to letter on the toxicity of fragrances by Luke Curtis of the University of Illinois School of Public Health published in June stating the need for more research on the health effects of artificial flavors and fragrances. Vast majority of 4,000 chemicals used in artificial fragrances have not been tested for human toxicity, according to Curtis. Smith, however, points to more recent studies on fragrances and notes RIFM's research is modeled after the National Academy of Sciences' risk assessment method and that research results and safety evaluations are published in peer-reviewed journals...