Synthetic musk compounds including nitro musk and polycyclic musks, used in most fragrances used in detergents, fabric softeners, cleaning agents and cosmetic products such as soaps, shampoo and perfumes are known to cause carcinogenity, endocrine distruption (oestrogenic), skin sensitization and distruption on cellular xenobiotic defense systems. Musk xylene and musk ketone as common nitro musk compounds; and galaxolide (HHCB), tonalide (AHTN), celestolide (ADBI), phantolide (AHDI), traseolide (ATII) as common polycyclic musk compounds, are discharged after use via domestic wastewater and sewage treatment plants to the aquatic environment. Since musk compounds are lipophilic, they have higher tendency to bioaccumulate; which effects the aquatic ecosystem and human as the final consumer. These compounds were also found in animal originated food; however there are no current studies conducted in Turkey and this issue is still not considered in national food and environmental control programs. In this review, musk compounds, their effects and residual risk are summarized.