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Do your cleaning products have too many unnecessary fragrances added to the mix, and are they causing too much damage to your health?

That's the conclusion of a new report -- entitled "What's that Smell" -- from the NGO Women?s Voices for the Earth. The report examines the health effects of the fragrance chemicals found in top-selling detergents, air fresheners and spray cleaners and links the ingredients (many of which are not listed on the label) to allergic reactions, respiratory disorders, reduced fertility and birth defects.

"People need to understand the hazards of fragranced products to themselves, to others, and to the environment," said Anne Steinemann, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Washington, in a prepared statement. "This important report provides illuminating evidence of these widespread hazards."

For this report, Women?s Voices for the Earth compiled 37 peer-reviewed scientific studies, and highlighted the chemicals that pose significant risk: phthalates and synthetic musks. Phthalates have been associated with hormone disruption, sperm damage, birth defects and feminization of boys. Synthetic musks have been found to enhance the effects of other chemicals entering the body.

So how do you avoid these chemicals? Visit the link above for a list of cleaning tips that use natural or less dangerous chemicals (or no chemicals at all). Also, try to buy from companies that do list all of their ingredients on their labels, like Seventh Generation. "Listing all ingredients directly on the label just makes sense?we?ve been doing it and it has only helped, not hindered, our business," said Jeffrey Hollender, co-founder of Seventh Generation. "Customers are demanding transparency and a greater commitment to safety, and it?s our job to listen to them. We hope the rest of the cleaning products industry will adopt the solutions outlined in this report, and remove chemicals of concern and list all ingredients on the label."