Fragrance Allergy Prevented by Use of Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA)

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., May 17, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The article evaluating the clinical data on the QRA, Quantitative Risk Assessment of Contact Sensitization: Clinical Data to Assess Utility of the Model, by Anne Marie Api, et al., Dermatitis, Vol 21, No 4 (Jul/Aug) 2010: pp 207-213, is now available from the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, Inc. (RIFM) web site at http://www.rifm.org/publications-details.php?id=24. Paper copies are available by e-mailing [email protected].

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As part of the fragrance industry's overall objective to minimize fragrance contact allergy in the general population, the QRA approach for assessing sensitivity to fragrance ingredients is now being used as the basis for establishing product safe use levels published in the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Standards. The IFRA Standards are the mandatory, global, self-imposed guidelines that the fragrance industry uses to keep its products safe for consumers and the environment.

The article publishes the results of a practical assessment of the clinical data for three fragrance ingredients identified as sensitizers. The conclusion is that the QRA is an effective, predictive tool for the prevention of fragrance contact allergy and with continued use, should show a downward trend in the incidence of fragrance contact allergy.

The QRA is a vast improvement over the former approach because it is quantitative, exposure based, consistent with modern principles of toxicologic risk assessment, suitable for assessing contact sensitization and applicable to various factors such as different product types and use patterns.

"This is another clear example that the RIFM team continually improves the science behind the safe use of fragrance materials in consumer products," said Dr. Ladd W. Smith, president of RIFM.

RIFM is the international scientific authority for the safe use of fragrance materials. RIFM generates, evaluates and distributes scientific data on the safety assessment of fragrance raw materials found in personal and household care products. Through extensive research, testing and constant monitoring of all scientific literature available, RIFM maintains its Database as the most comprehensive source worldwide of physical-chemical, toxicological and eco-toxicological data associated with known fragrance and flavor materials. All of RIFM's scientific findings are evaluated by an independent Expert Panel—an international group of dermatologists, pathologists, toxicologists, respiratory, reproductive and environmental scientists. The Expert Panel evaluates the safety of fragrance ingredients under conditions of intended use and publishes their results in peer-reviewed scientific journals. The decisions of the Expert Panel regarding restrictions of use are also published as IFRA Standards, publicly available from the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) web site at www.ifraorg.org. For more information about RIFM and its activities, visit www.rifm.org or e-mail [email protected].

Contact: Marie Gartshore, Communications Manager
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SOURCE Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, Inc.