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Perfumes and scented products are everywhere and have been widely used for
centuries. But there is a growing awareness that scented products can have a
negative impact on indoor air quality and personal health. For people with
certain medical conditions (such as asthma, migraines or chemical sensitivity),
scented products can trigger serious health reactions that can lead to illness,
lost productivity, absence from school or work and even hospitalization.
Scents can affect health
Historically, perfumes were made with natural ingredients derived from plants
and animals. But, in recent years, the fragrance industry has replaced many of
these natural ingredients with chemical compounds. Over 3,000 chemicals are now
used in making fragrances and one perfume can contain up to 500 different
chemicals. These synthetic ingredients may be responsible for the increasing
number of health problems associated with scented products.
People who react to fragrances can experience a variety of health symptoms,
ranging from mild to severe. Fragrance chemicals vapourize into the air and are
easily inhaled, causing respiratory irritations and breathing difficulties. Some
fragrance chemicals cause skin reactions and others can trigger vascular changes
that may lead to asthma and migraine headaches. People who are susceptible can
experience symptoms even when there are very low levels of fragrance chemicals
in the air.
What products contain scents?
Scents are commonly found in cosmetics and other personal grooming products,
such as perfumes, cologne, aftershave, creams, hairspray, soaps and shampoo. But
they are also found in many other products that we use frequently at home and in
the workplace, including:
| • | air fresheners
| | • | facial tissues
| | • | dishwashing liquid
| | • | laundry detergents and fabric softeners
| | • | candles
| | • | building material
| | • | upholstery fabrics
| | • | carpeting
| | • | newsprint
| | • | industrial and household cleaners
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Managing scents in the workplace
Employers have a responsibility to accommodate staff members who have a chemical
sensitivity or a serious medical reaction to scented products. This is the same
responsibility that employers have in addressing any safety or health
hazard in the workplace.
The Peel board takes this responsibility seriously and has developed guidelines
to help administrators create a scent-free workplace. To request a copy, Peel
board administrators should contact the Environmental Health and Safety Office
at 905-890-1010 ext. 2424.
Creating a scent-reduced work environment
To protect people who are sensitive to scented products, the Peel board is
asking for volunteer co-operation in moving towards a scent-reduced environment.
Staff and students are encouraged to avoid or reduce the use of scented products
and to replace them with unscented alternatives.
Here are some steps that you can take to help make your work environment
fragrance-free.
| • | Be considerate of others. Recognize
that some people may have allergies or adverse reactions to fragrances.
Reduce or eliminate your use of scented products and encourage your friends,
colleagues and students to follow your example.
| | • | Raise awareness about the effect of
scented products on indoor air quality and personal health. Put on a
presentation, create a display, put up No scents make sense posters in your
school or department.
| | • | Make information about unscented
products available to staff and students.
| | • | If you have a reaction to scented
products, let your supervisor know so that the appropriate actions can be
taken to protect your health.
| | • | Everyone shares responsibility for
maintaining good indoor air quality. Report any ventilation problems in your
workplace to your principal, supervisor or health and safety representative.
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