WARNING OVER 'PURE, NATURAL' ESSENTIAL OILS

Essential oils labelled 'pure and natural' can cause skin irritation, inflammation and might pose a health hazard to unborn children, the Consumer Council warned yesterday.

The council tested 66 essential or fragrant oils and found only 14 had proper labelling. The others either did not have sufficient information or printed it in a foreign language.

The oils are extracted from plants and are used for massages, in baths and as scents. Two samples were found to contain benzene - a recognised cancer-causing agent - although both were below the 10 parts per million limit set by the International Fragrance Association.

'Many of them are highlighted 'pure and natural' but it does not necessarily mean they are safe for everybody to use,' said Dr Lo Chi-kin, head of the council's publicity and community relations committee.

Ingredients such as cinnamon, clove, verbena and bergamot might cause skin irritation and inflammation among people with allergies.

Pregnant women should avoid oils with extracts of camphor, hyssop, Spanish sage, lavandin, rosemary and fennel as their babies might be unable to de-toxify them, said Dr Lo.