Chemistry Can Kill: Benzene The Cancer-Causing Compound

By Talita Naveed

Fragrances are a combination of organic compounds with a distinct scent. Perfume and cologne are examples of cosmetic fragrances, that have the sole purpose of providing pleasant odors (DermNet, n.d.). In 2023, it was estimated that around 81% of women use perfumes and this vast industry was to make 58 billion dollars in sales in just a year (Osbourne, 2023). For such a large industry, not many people can tell you how their beloved perfume was made or what it’s made up of specifically. 

Generally, all perfumes are composed of a base and fragrance. The fragrance can be collected from either plants or synthetically and the base can be anything from beeswax, Benzyl Benzoate, Phthalates, and ethyl alcohol. In most instances, ethyl alcohol is used for its extremely absorbing properties. Since a smell is a molecule that is light enough to float in the air, fragrance materials are chemical compounds with light properties. In chemistry, Alcohols are an organic compound with an -OH group. Aromatic alcohols or aryl-alcohols are a class of chemical compounds containing a hydroxyl group (—OH) bonded directly to an aromatic hydrocarbon group. Aromatic compounds often possess strong, sweet-smelling odors. Aromatics compounds are prominently used in perfumes for their unique properties and odor. They are very stable and insoluble in water (Yasuda, n.d., 3). Benzene is a ubiquitous aromatic compound that is a staple of perfume-making for its blending properties. It’s composed of six carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms, making it a hydrocarbon. When people breathe the chemical in, they are being exposed. It’s found in cigarette smoke and is proven to cause leukemia (Benzene – Cancer-Causing Substances – NCI, 2024). Benzene is a known human carcinogen which is a cancer-causing chemical. 

Leukemia is a blood cancer, your blood is made of four components: plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Long-term benzene exposure can harm your bone marrow and blood cells. Exposure to benzene, a known carcinogen, may cause abnormalities in the DNA that controls the development of blood cells in your bone marrow. Since benzene is good at blending, inhaling it can cause massive damage. 

Despite the appeal of perfumes and fragrances, it is essential to be aware of the hidden dangers they may contain. The widespread use of benzene in fragrance production raises concerns about long-term health effects. While the perfume industry thrives on delivering pleasant scents, consumers should be informed about the potential risks lurking within their favorite products. Awareness and regulation of harmful substances like benzene are crucial to ensuring safer choices for both personal use and public health.

References

1. DermNet. (n.d.). Fragrances and perfumes. DermNet. Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://dermnetnz.org/topics/fragrances-and-perfumes
2. Osbourne, S. (2023, October 26). Perfume Industry Statistics 2023. Fragrance Explorers. Retrieved February 22, 2025, from https://fragranceexplorers.com/blogs/perfume-industry-statistics/
3. Yasuda, D. Y. (n.d.). Aromatic Compounds: Understanding the Fragrant World of Organic Chemistry. Journal of Medicinal and Organic Chemistry, 1(1), 3. https://www.openaccessjournals.com/articles/aromatic-compounds-understanding-the-fragrant-world-of-organic-chemistry.pdf
4. Benzene – Cancer-Causing Substances – NCI. (2024, August 6). National Cancer Institute. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/benzene
5. AlphaAromatics. (2017, June 5). How Perfume Is Made – A Master Perfumers’ Industry Guide. Alpha Aromatics. Retrieved February 24, 2025, from https://www.alphaaromatics.com/blog/how-perfume-is-made-the-perfumers-industry-guide/

Edited by Lamisa Chowdhury