In a study of 53 perfumes and aftershaves, six were found to contain a high amount of dangerous hormone-affecting chemical diethyl phthalate (DEP), an Austrian environmental protection organization said Thursday.

In a press conference in Vienna on Thursday, Global 2000 said its study results showed a high concentration of DEP in certain kinds of fragrances.

Potential side-effects of the chemical, which Global 2000 said can enter the bloodstream once applied to the skin, are fertility problems in both men and women, increased risk of breast, testicular, and prostate cancers, and metabolic diseases such as diabetes and obesity.

Austria Press Agency quoted Professor Andreas Lischka, Director of the Children's Hospital in Glanzing, Vienna saying such chemicals are particularly dangerous for pregnant women, as they can enter the blood stream and affect the development of the fetus.

Global 2000 said it was pleased that the majority of fragrances did not contain the chemical, but was at the same time alarmed that others contained it in relatively high concentrations.

"We must take immediate action in the form of prohibitions," said Helmut Burtscher, a Global 2000 biochemist.

Despite the EU having done more on the issue than the United States, he appealed to the Austrian health and environment authorities to take further action, in particular to take the issue to Brussels.