2025 Allergen Study: Risk in Household Products
The presence of fragrance allergens in consumer products presents a significant public health consideration. A 2025 study from Korea University quantified 56 allergens, including 30 newly regulated in the EU, in 267 household and personal care items, finding 21 exclusively in kitchen cleaning products. The research applied a probabilistic risk assessment model to evaluate potential health risks.
Key Takeaways
- Limonene, linalool, and α-terpineol were the most frequently detected of 56 tested allergens in household products.
- A probabilistic risk assessment found no significant risk for systemic toxicity or skin sensitization from the new allergens, even at high exposure levels.
- Exposure risk variability is driven primarily by an ingredient’s concentration, the product’s frequency and amount of use, and its dilution rate.
- Kitchen cleaning products, including fruit washes and dish detergents, were a focal point for the exclusive presence of 21 specific allergens.
- The findings support the use of advanced risk assessment models to inform and update safety management standards for fragrance ingredients.
Newly Regulated Allergens Are Pervasive in Kitchen Cleaners
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545, which amends the Cosmetic Products Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009, mandates the labeling of 30 additional fragrance allergens by July 31, 2026. The research team led by Heesoo Lee and Dongwoo Choi at Korea University sought to establish a baseline for these substances. Using GC-MS and LC-MS, they analyzed 267 products from South Korea, a market with regulations similar to the EU’s.
Their work identified a distinct product category of concern: 21 of the 56 allergens were found only in 119 kitchen cleaning products. This category included fruit and vegetable washes, dishwashing detergents, and dishwasher rinse aids. The three most frequently detected substances were the common terpenes limonene, linalool, and α-terpineol. In contrast, none of these allergens were found in disposable wipes, highlighting how product format and intended use influence ingredient presence.
A Tiered Risk Assessment Finds No Significant Risk from New Substances
Quantifying presence is only the first step; the core of the study was a tiered risk assessment. The initial, conservative Tier 1 screen flagged five substances for further analysis: limonene, benzyl alcohol, citral, hexyl cinnamal, and β-pinene. Concerns were based on endpoints including systemic toxicity, skin sensitization, and local respiratory toxicity.
These five underwent a more realistic Tier 2 probabilistic risk assessment using Monte Carlo simulation. This method accounts for real-world variability in factors like how much product a person uses and how often. The results were clear: even at the 95th percentile exposure level (covering most of the population), no significant risk was identified for systemic toxicity or skin sensitization from the newly regulated allergens.
A sensitivity analysis pinpointed what drives exposure variability. The primary factors are the concentration of the substance in the product, the frequency and amount of product use, and the dilution rate during application. For formulators, this means controlling ingredient concentration is the most direct lever for managing potential risk.
Interpreting the Data for Regulatory Compliance and Safety
The 2026 EU labeling update is not a ban but a transparency measure. The Korean University study provides empirical evidence that the newly listed substances, while present, did not pose a significant risk under the assessed conditions. This supports the regulatory approach of informing susceptible consumers rather than removing ingredients.
However, the research also underscores a shift in safety science. The authors advocate for probabilistic models over traditional deterministic “worst-case” assessments. Deterministic models often overestimate risk by assuming maximum values for all exposure variables simultaneously—a scenario that is highly improbable. Probabilistic methods, like the Monte Carlo simulation used here, generate a more realistic risk distribution.
Practical Guidance for Formulators and Perfumers
For professionals preparing for the 2026 deadline, the study offers actionable insights:
- Supply chain transparency: Perfumers and brands must have exact quantitative data on all 81 regulated allergens (the original 26 plus the new 30, plus other substances) in their formulas to ensure accurate labeling.
- Product category risk: Kitchen cleaners require equal vigilance as “leave-on” cosmetic products.
- Concentration control: Reducing the concentration of high-concern substances, even below labeling thresholds, is a primary mitigation strategy.
- Comprehensive safety data: Ingredients like α-terpineol require full toxicological profiling beyond allergenicity.
The 2025 study provides a robust, data-driven snapshot ahead of the 2026 EU regulation. It confirms that while the newly listed allergens are present in the market, a sophisticated risk assessment does not indicate a significant public health risk from current exposure patterns.
Sources:
Lee H, Choi D, et al. (2025). “Prevalence and Risk Assessment of Newly Regulated Fragrance Allergens in Consumer Products.” Journal of Environmental Science and Health.
European Commission (2023). “Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/1545.” Official Journal of the European Union.
Smith A, et al. (2022). “Probabilistic Risk Assessment Methods for Cosmetic Ingredients.” Toxicology Reports.
Fragrance Studio lets you test materials against EU allergen labelling updates directly — no spreadsheet juggling, with data sourced from Fenaroli, IFRA, PubChem and more.