186 Autism and Exposure to Environmental Chemicals
Effects of Fragrances on Female Oxytocin‐Receptor
Positive Neurons
Female NBC exposed to the same amounts of fragrances as male NBCs did not
show depletion of oxytocin‐ or AVP‐receptor positive neurons. In the previous
chapter, we explained in detail the importance of oxytocin‐ and AVP‐receptor
positive neurons and their interaction with the oxytocin and AVP neuropep
tides and their central role in social communications and interaction.How Synthetic Chemicals in Fragrances Affect Fetal
Brain Development
Over 4,000 synthetic chemicals are found in some fragrances [21]. This is one
of the most rapidly developing industries and is highly competitive [65] and the
current market value, according to Statistica, is estimated to be US$40.1 billion
and will continue to increase [65]. Organic chemists around the world are con
stantly vying to bring new fragrances to the consumer market. The way fra
grances are being synthetized, marketed and then mass produced is vividly
depicted in Luca Turin’s autobiographic account entitled The Secret of Scent:
Adventures in Perfume and the Science of Smell [66] (Table 7.2).
It would take an army of neuroscientists to investigate the potential adverse
effects of each of the chemicals found in the most commonly sold perfumes
[21,65,66]. Here we present preliminary evidence of potential adverse effects
from just a few chemicals. We selected eight chemicals to evaluate what kind
of effects they may have on fetal brain neurons if a fetus is exposed to even a
minuscule amount. Keep in mind that we have exposed the fetal brain neurons
to each of these chemicals separately. Imagine what would happen to the devel
oping brain when many neurotoxic chemicals reach the brain simultaneously.
The chemicals we used for our preliminary test were: DEP, tonalide (musk
ketone), octinoxate, d‐limonene, eugenol, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate,
and (+)‐α‐pinene.Synthetic Musks
Synthetic musks are common chemicals used in fragrances and other cosmet
ics. Synthetic musks are also referred to as white musks in the perfume industry.
To the best of our knowledge, the first artificial musk was synthetized by
Albert Baur in 1888 by condensing toluene and isobutyl bromide in the pres
ence of aluminum chloride [21]. This was an accidental discovery when Baur
was trying to make a TNT explosive bomb. Of note, all of these chemicals are