WOODCLIFF LAKE, New Jersey, December 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Dr. Daniel T. Salvito, Vice President, Environmental Science, at the Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, Inc. (RIFM), announced the publication of an ecological risk assessment for macrocyclic fragrance materials using a chemicals categories approach. At current volumes of use, these materials do not pose a risk to the environment. Macrocyclic fragrance materials are widely used in cosmetics, detergents, fabric softeners, cleaning products and other household and personal care products. RIFM also has companion human health papers on these materials currently in press in Food and Chemical Toxicology.

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The article, Macrocyclic fragrance materials-A screening-level environmental assessment using chemical categorization-a highly collaborative effort between RIFM staff, RIFM's Environmental Adjunct Group and industry colleagues, was published by Elsevier in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Volume 74 Issue 6 (September 2011) 1619-1629. The full peer-reviewed article is available from the Publications or The RIFM Environmental Program sections of RIFM's web site at http://www.rifm.org or by clicking on the article title or here.

The Environmental Science Program at RIFM encompasses aquatic and terrestrial testing, biodegradation and bioaccumulation studies, and risk assessments of priority fragrance materials-used for agency evaluations and industry REACH compliance. REACH is the European Commission Policy, Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemical Substances. RIFM's Environmental Science Program is an internationally recognized center of activity with an expansive network of professionals. Dr. Salvito and his colleagues regularly coordinate fragrance industry activities with the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD), the European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals (ECETOC) and the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) to improve the understanding of the fate and effects of organic chemicals in the environment and to contribute to the strategic development of international environmental science.

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, reproduction, respiratory 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 in the IFRA Standards. For more information about RIFM and its activities, visit http://www.rifm.org or e-mail rifm@rifm.org.

Contact: Marie Gartshore, Communications Manager
e-mail: mgartshore@rifm.org
tel: +1-201-689-8089, ext. 111

SOURCE Research Institute for Fragrance Materials, Inc.