Musk is a fragrance ingredient used to "fix" aromas and ensure persistence in a range of consumer products. There are different types of musks, including nitro musks and polycyclic musks. Here are some details about musk:
Positive:
- Musk is a significant ingredient for fragrance formulation.
Negative:
- Nitro musks, including musk ambrette, musk moskene, and musk tibetene, have been banned from use in products that contain fragrance.
- Musk xylene is concluded to be very persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB) and has been put forward for consideration as a Substance of Very High Concern (SVHC) and potentially, subsequent inclusion on Annex XIV of the REACH Regulation.
- Synthetic musks bioaccumulate in the environment and have been detected in human breast milk, body fat, blood, and umbilical cords. Studies show that these compounds can disrupt cell functioning and hormone systems.
- Musk ambrette was shown to cause photodermatitis and persistent light reactions, which led to its withdrawal from the market.
Ingredients or materials:
- Musk xylene is prepared by the nitration of tert-butyl-meta-xylene.
- Musk R1 is a macrocyclic musk that is creamy, powdery, and sensual.
- Polycyclic musks (PCM) are a more modern category of musk compounds that are essential for many classical perfumes. PCM have the tendency to accumulate in the environment (poor biodegradability) and to be toxic against aquatic organisms (Algae, Daphnia, Fish) .
It is important to note that the safety of musk has been thoroughly assessed by European regulators, and the application of musk in consumer products has been authorized, although quantitative restrictions have been imposed in cosmetic products sold in Europe and Switzerland.
