Kinshasa, November 9th, 2026 (CPA). – The harmful effects of perfumes, insecticides and other chemical compounds have been explained, on Monday, to future mothers supported by an organisation in Masina, a municipality in the east of Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), in order to avoid the consequences associated with their use, we have learnt from a source within the organisation.
“These products enter the bloodstream and reach the baby. They can cause miscarriage, premature birth or a baby being born with a low birth weight. The golden rule is to maintain a zero-tolerance approach to chemical compounds (perfume, insecticide, paint, bleach, etc.), as even small quantities can cross the placenta and pose risks to the foetus,” Nadine Mbungu, coordinator of the non-governmental organisation “Boyambi” and a paediatrician has declared.
“Perfume contains potentially problematic chemical compounds that can cross the placental barrier and affect the development of the foetus or new-born, as perfumes often contain phthalates, parabens or synthetic musks, which act as endocrine disruptors; they can interfere with the foetus’s delicate hormonal system, and studies have linked high concentrations of phthalate metabolites (found in cosmetics and perfumes) to an increased risk of preterm birth,” she has added.
Dr Mbungu has clarified that the foetus’s liver is not yet able to effectively eliminate certain chemicals, which can accumulate in the body. Prenatal exposure to certain chemical compounds is suspected of affecting neurological development or foetal growth; an infant’s brain and lungs are extremely sensitive.
New-borns rely primarily on their sense of smell (particularly to recognise their mother and find their way to the breast), which is why applying an adult perfume confuses their natural olfactory cues; furthermore, an infant’s skin is very thin and permeable to alcohol, and the allergens present in adult perfumes can easily cause dryness or allergic reactions.
She has therefore recommended opting for alcohol-free, natural or certified organic perfumes, formulated specifically for future mothers, and urged them to avoid perfumed products or to choose alternatives that are alcohol-free and free from potentially harmful substances during pregnancy.
The aim of this activity was to raise women’s awareness of the consequences of this practice, which destroys the baby. ACP/