Access/Accommodation (Common Courtesy) Fragrance: When you encounter the word or the potion, don't think flower petals and animal essences, think volatilizing petrochemicals and alcohol. When you read the word "irritant" as in statements such as "avoid other irritants," think of irritant as defined by Oxford Dictionary: POISON. Fragrances are recognized lung IRRITANTS and SENSITIZERS. To smell fragrances is to inhale violatile petrochemical toxins that have not been proved safe for inhalation, for neurotoxity, for their hormonal disrupting capabilities, for their carcinogenic capabilities, for their teratogenic capabilities (effects upon developing embryos and fetuses). Fragrances are invisible chemical barriers to access for the already chemically injured. And, those still thinking of themselves as not having any problems with fragrances, What will your future hold? No one can remain too smug about toxic brews released to market without substantiation of safety by any government oversight agency. You, the user, must take the wearing and using of fragrance products on faith. Blind faith. PREVENTION: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. -- Ben Franklin Why use toxic chemical concoctions known simply as"fragrance" on the label of products? Check labels of personal care items, cosmetics, and cleaning and maintenance products. Goodness, even products labeled fragrance-free are allowed to contain synthetic fragrances. They are ubiquitous. There are safer alternative products available. Also, rely on products such as your grandmother used like baking soda, vinegar, salt, and yes, good old sunshine. They are effective and inexpensive. More can be learned from EHN's section on Clean at http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/c.htm#Clean Have you thought that by using synthetic scents you are not being GREEN as defined by the US Department of the Interior? ( http://www.doi.gov/greening/sustain/trad.html) Also, you are helping grow that burgeoning profit margin enjoyed by another facet of the chemical industry, the pharmaceutical industry. One might see consumers as the goose that have laid the golden eggs. (You know what happened to THAT goose.) -- barb Acute toxic effects of fragrance products. Author/s: Rosalind C. Anderson http://www.zeal.com/exit.jhtml?cid=991790&wid=60362997&so=&xr=/website/profile.jhtml%3Fcid%3D991790%26wid%3D60362997 OR, printer friendly: http://www.zeal.com/exit.jhtml?cid=991790&wid=60362997&so=&xr=/website/profile.jhtml%3Fcid%3D991790%26wid%3D60362997 For more information on the Andersons of Anderson Labs, see http://www.andersonlaboratories.com/ We also learn from the American Academy of Dermatology in their article, "Allergies: The Culprit Could Be Hiding In Your Cosmetic Bag" -- http://www.newswise.com/articles/2000/3/ALLERGY.AAD.html "Dermatologists recommend that people who experience allergic contact dermatitis adhere to the following program to avoid some of the most probable offending agents, with specific patch testing performed once the dermatitis is clear: -- For clothing care, double rinse all detergents and avoid all fabric softeners. -- Try to wear pure, untreated cotton in light colors. Avoid permanent press or cotton blends. Silk and polyester are acceptable. -- Wash all new clothing items five times before wearing. -- Use only fragrance-free soaps, body cleansers, shampoos and conditioners. -- Avoid all perfumes, colognes, and after-shaves. -- Do not use any fingernail care products or hair spray. "The American Academy of Dermatology, founded in 1938, is the largest, most influential, and most representative of all dermatologic associations. ..." Great advice as far as it goes. But, again, the subject of fragrances is being dealt with as if it is a problem unique to that one individual who is wearing fragrances and all that one individual has to do is to AVOID USING scented products. It is the nature of this volatile petrochemical beast to become one with the air we all must breathe. That "thorough" testing you read about regarding fragrances is for dermatological reactions of the primary user. The industry and our federal government have not tested for effects to brain and central nervous system of developing embryos and fetuses, to infants and children, to adults ranging in age through the eldest among us; nor have they tested for carcinogenic effects; they've not tested for long-term and systemic effects; nor have they even gone so far as to give a mind to the dermatological effects suffered by non-users simply from being in the air that is contaminated with polluting fragrance products. NEVER MEASURE. NEVER MANAGE! To spell out the obvious: Our modern fragrances are volatile organic compounds, therefore they become the air we all must breathe. Synthetic scents are not tested for reactions to skin beyond those of the primary user. When will our government agencies and health care societies begin to look at the fact that fragrances contain volatile chemicals that are known or suspected hormone disrupters, irritants (and here, please think of mucus production and inflamation, not just something that is emotionally irritating like another person's booming music), sensitizers (causes adverse reactions in normal tissue after repeated exposures), carcinogens (capable of causing cancer), tertatogens (adversely affecting embryonic and fetal development) and neurotoxins (adversely affecting brain and nervous systems)? Fragrances should be tested BEFORE marketing for their adverse effects upon users and nonusers who suffer adverse events at secondary and tertiary levels of exposure. Fragrances should be tested for their effects upon the reproductive systems of developing fetuses, as well effects on males and females of all ages. Fragrances should be researched for their effects upon the respiratory systems of users and non users; for their neurotoxic effects upon users and non users; for their potential cancer- causing capabilities for users and non users. Come to think of it, if there is synthetic scent in the air, we all are users! Fragrances should be tested for more than just dermatological adverse reactions to the primary user, and the public should be informed. The public has a right to know. The public has a right to make their purchases via informed consent. See Raw Materials of Perfumery http://www.perfumersworld.com/chems/material.htm Synthetic fragrances are in household and janitorial cleaning and maintenance products, including air "fresheners," pesticides and disinfectants (which are classified as pesticides by the EPA). And synthetic scents are in your personal care products, which you put on your body and the bodies of your children. Synthetically scented products are more than just your perfume, cologne and aftershave. Whether you personnaly use synthetic fragrances or breathe them in because others use them, these chemicals CAN adversely affect your health. Often, the early stages of chemical injury are too insidious for the untrained mainstream medical doctor to recognize and diagnose. Remember: Doctors have failed to recognize and properly diagnose many debilitating and disabling diseases, which have since become recognized. For instance, asthma, pellagra, tuberculous. Regarding asthma, it was not that long ago that the sages were stating that asthma was all psychosomatic. Often we who suffer adverse reactions to toxic chemicals, such as fragrances, are termed "allergic." But that is a misnomer. We have really been poisoned by those chemicals -- which are, at the very least, irritants and sensitizers. At worse, fragrance compounds contain known or suspected neurotoxins (adversely affecting brain and nervous systems), carcinogens (capable of causing cancer), tergatogens (adversely affecting embryonic and fetal development) and/or hormone disrupters, which can adversely affect developing fetuses, children and adults . . . male and female. Our body's response really isn't that of allergy and therefore, a Human Resource manager, or other member of management (speaking from personal experience!) who "diagnose" our cases and "prescribe" allergy shots could cause great harm if the chemically injured person were wrongly convinced to give that treatment a try. Remember, mainstream medical doctors have not been trained to recognize the insidious symptoms of chemical poisoning ... not even when the poisoning is from pesticides, and their patients explain why and how they have been put in harm's way. Alas, most people don't realize when they've been poisoned by synthetic scents for they believe that fragrances are safe or they'd not be marketed. The industry is unregulated and there is no pre-market testing required by our Food and Drug Administration for inhalation, neurotoxicity or long-term, systemic effects. The most industry testing done has been for effects to the skin of the primary user . . . completely ignoring all of the people with adverse skin events from secondary exposures. Not to mention all of the people suffering adverse respiratory and neurotoxic events due to inhalation. Proof that synthetic fragrances are toxic chemical products, can be seen by visiting the "FDA Petition."Click out to "Analyses" and "Product Label." Print out the information and take IT to your leader. FDA Petition - http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm Analyses - http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm#Analyses Analysis Summary - Are you surprised at the number of chemicals about which we know too little toxicological data, or that appear on the EPA's Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory and the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS). See http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/analysis.htm Product Label - http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/eterbkpg.htm Once you learn of the chemicals used to concoct scents, it isn't so surprising to learn that synthetic scents in personal care and cleaning/maintenance products, and other commonly used consumer products with high-emitting VOCs (volatile organic compounds), can cause and/or exacerbate cold- and flu-like illnesses; dizziness, migraines andother headaches; upper and lower respiratory diseases including asthma, sinusitis, rhinitis and laryngitis; nausea; gastro-intestinal problems; incontinence; ... Let's learn a little more by visiting the following sites. Selected Abstracts on the Health Effects of Perfume Earth Angels Association/Health & Environment Resource Center http://members.aol.com/chemxpose/abstracts.html And from the industry . . . "COMMON SENSE ABOUT SCENTS." See SPEIAC http://www.scentedproducts.on.ca/hdnad.jpg Let's take a gander at the words of Scented Products Education and Information Association of Canada (SPEIAC) in their ad published following their press conference in Halifax, Nova Scotia, June 20, 2000 -- See EHN's page, Halifax at http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/aaprbb.htm The ad states in part: "The composition of perfumes hasn't changed much in hundreds of years. They contain primarily water and alcohol -- of the same type and purity we drink in beverages -- as well as essential fragrance oils." Do notice that line about water and alcohol. Remember that when you read and further investigate the information below. We do not drink denatured alcohol. Do we really think the industry will pay the taxes to use "drinking alcohol"? -- barb Perfume World - Raw Materials of Perfumery This site respects one's right to know and for that I give them my heartfelt thanks. So with this info available, check out that right-hand column! And remember, we are the guinea pigs . . . even if we are not the primary user of synthetic scents. We "use" them on the secondary and tertiary levels.-- barb http://www.perfumersworld.com/chems/material.htm Fragrance Tips (submenu under Features) The industry suggests layering and then has the effrontery to state that everyone has a " 'scent circle,' approximately an arm's length from the body." The industry makes these toxic chemical preparations to be smelled at great distances -- the concoctions are formulated to waft further and last longer, and THEN the industry states the user should observe the "scent circle." LUDICROUS! But obviously, scented products customers will buy anything . . . even the industry cleverly putting the blame for odorovecting on their customers. But, if users of scented products have an industry declared "scent circle" that they are not supposed to exceed, then by George we have our own arm's length of distance that their chemical outgassings should not penetrate. If you react to the toxic chemical scent concoctions used or worn by folks further away than your arm's length, be sure to claim your legitimate space of cleaner air. Of course, try to claim your arm's length while being examined by a doctor, having blood drawn by a nurse, while in a crowded elevator or on a public transit conveyance. http://www.fragrance.org/feature_tip_content.html And then, a little advice from Career Corner on GovExec.com: "Avoid perfume or cologne. It may not help and may hurt." By Kathryn Kraemer; June 29, 1999 http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0699/062999cc.htm By the way, if links no longer work, you may have luck finding them if you use The WayBack Machine at http://www.archive.org Thanks to all who wrote to the US ACCESS Board "The Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities." (From About the Board) E-mail: info@access-board.gov http://www.access-board.gov/ Because you cared enough ... Look at what your efforts wrought. Applaud the Access Board and take a bow for yourself! -- barb "[U.S. Access] Board Adopts Policy to Promote Fragrance-Free Environments" http://www.access-board.gov/about/policies/fragrance.htm See EHN's Action Letters to the Access Board http://www.ehnca.org/actnletr/acletin.htm See Press Release Index http://www.ehnca.org/PressReleases/prsrelin.htm The US Access Board's full name is U.S. Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board. The Access Board was created in 1973. They state they have, "... served the nation as the only independent federal agency whose primary mission is accessibility for people with disabilities." Do read letters written to the Access Board requesting they consider setting access standards for the chemically/electromagnetically injured. The United States Access Board has adopted a policy to promote Fragrance-FREE environments! Excerpted from their policy (2000) this important message to be emulated by others: "... While many questions are yet to be answered, the Board believes in doing what it can where it can. ..." http://www.access-board.gov/about/policies/fragrance.htm Access Board and Indoor Air Quality (2001) http://www.access-board.gov/news/ieq.htm Board Issues New Accessibility Guidelines for Recreation Facilities (2002) Summary: Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Electromagnetic Sensitivities http://www.access-board.gov/recreation/final.htm#General Issues GovExec.com Access Board seeks to be more scent-sitive By Tanya N. Ballard; November 28, 2000 http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/1100/112800t1.htm If you wish to read comments about perfume and how it affects access and health, you may wish to visit Allergy to Perfume in the Air - and similar illness due to perfume in the air we breathe http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~aair/perfume_corr.htm And, you may wish to read: Understanding & Accommodating People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Independent Living -- an online book by Pamela Reed Gibson, Ph.D., James Madison University http://www.ilru.org/ilnet/files/bookshelf/mcs/mcsindex.html Also, visit EHN's General Links, page A, Access http://www.ehnca.org/ehnlinx/a.htm#Access -- barb Specific access suggestions, this page: Access Board CILs and ILRCs (Independent Living) Cities / States Cleaners, Disinfectants, Air "fresheners" Dance Fragrance EMF/EMR General - a broad coverage of the topic of access Hospitals, Healthcare Facilities, Health Issues Housing Law Lawns FDA Petition Support (Letters telling of adverse health effects and subsequent need for scent-free accommodation) Meeting Notices / Events Police Posters (opens new window) School (including Universities) States Transit Travel Theater Workplace Worship If you are denied access regardless of the information you provide, the answer just might lie in the damning and damaging Environmental Illness Briefing Paper published by the Chemical Manufacturers Association in 1990. http://www.ehnca.org/books/cmaeibri.htm General Suggestons: [Access] "Board Adopts Policy to Promote Fragrance-Free Environments"(U.S.,2000) http://www.access-board.gov/news/fragrance.htm Access Board Meetings http://www.access-board.gov/about/boardmembers.htm Access Board and Indoor Air Quality (2001) Solicitations closed 10/30/01, but the documentation is worth reading. -- barb http://www.access-board.gov/news/indoorair-notice.htm Board Issues New Accessibility Guidelines for Recreation Facilities (2002) Summary: Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Electromagnetic Sensitivities http://www.access-board.gov/recreation/final.htm#SUMMARY Access for People With EI/MCS and Other Related Conditions Booklet by Sen. Milton Marks, Chair, and Joan Ripple published by Calif. State Senate (in three parts) http://www.ehnca.org/books/eimcsf1.htm Fragrance-free wording of Sen. Marks, provided by Joan Ripple (Please bear with me, it is around here some place. I had it in my hands and lost it to "The Borrowers" almost immediately. But my "borrowers" always return items, unlike Mary Norton's creations. It is only a matter of time.) ACCOMMODATING THE ALLERGIC EMPLOYEE IN THE WORKPLACE Employment and Disability, Cornell University http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/ped/product_spec.html?prod_id=100&cat_id=1 As a 4-page PDF file: http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/extension/files/download/Allergic_Employee.pdf Accommodating the Allergic Employee in the Workplace NC Chemical Injury Network http://www.NCchem.com/accommod.htm Accommodating Employees with Environmental Sensitivities Debra Sine, Leslirae Rotor and Elizabeth Hare A 51 page PDF file, definitely worth printing out. Includes section called "Guidelines for Managers," Part 4 and "Employee Awareness Kit," Part 5. What caught my attention was this line in Part 4: "Remember that the goal of accommodation is to enable the employee to remain a productive member of the office team." When I was still gainfully employed, that is all that I was requesting! Alas, the management team felt otherwise and in my opinion, their decision to continue business as usual may have contributed to many staff suffering various diseases that are environmentally caused such as rheumatoid arthritis, cancers, upper and lower respiratory problems, migraines, Parkinson's . . . and, of course, ultimately, my developing MCS. This is my opinion. -- barb http://www.healthyindoors.com/english/ resources/workplace1.pdf Arizona Technology Access Program: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity http://www.nau.edu/~ihd/aztap/mcs.html How to Be Fragrance Free By Peggy Munson http://www.peggymunson.com/mcs/fragrancefree.html NEW MEANING FOR ACCESS? By Toni Temple, CHAIR OHIO NETWORK FOR THE CHEMICALLY INJURED P.O. Box 29290 Parma, Ohio 44129 (440) 845-1888 http://www.ncchem.com/ONFCI/access.htm Business & Health http://www.businessandhealth.com Allergens in the Workplace Allergens can emerge in settings that appear clean, well maintained and chemical free...at home and at work. By Helen Lippman, Contributing Editor "... The next time you encounter the guy down the hall who always seems to have a runny nose and red, watery eyes, don't assume it's an intractable cold, a bout of seasonal hay fever or a stubborn case of the flu. Office workers may not be exposed to heavy chemicals in spray paints, enzymes in detergents or the red cedar dust in lumber, but allergists now recognize that office buildings can harbor a number of allergens or irritants. A sneezing, sniffling employee could be reacting to copy machine toner, a colleague's perfume, airborne spores from mold and fungi in the circulation system, cockroaches or other indoor irritants or allergens. ... "... The first indication that something's amiss usually comes when employees report what they believe to be allergicãand job-relatedãsymptoms. But just getting workers to the point where they're willing to come forward requires deliberate action. 'Employers need to educate supervisors and other employees,' Grammer emphasizes. 'They need to be told that if they develop teary eyes, wheezing, sneezing or other related symptoms, they may be allergic to something in the workplace and need to tell someone. And tell them they don't have to worry about being fired,' she adds. "Keeping workers quiet or dismissing tentative complaints is a highly ineffective strategy that's likely to deflate employee morale. Delay also significantly boosts health risks and subsequent costs. ... http://www.businessandhealth.com/hostedfiles/features/allergiesatwork/physician/article04.htm Top 10 Tips for Addressing Allergic Rhinitis Action Items for Employers Corporate and clinical experts who participated in a Business & Health roundtable agreed on 10 practical tactics for employers who recognize the impact of allergies on job performance. "... 4. Establish a policy addressing strong odors from such sources as perfumes. Even if such odors contain irritants rather than allergens per se, some employees may have a low threshold for distress. ..." I do believe they ought to know that "irritant" used to describe a chemical is not to be confused with an irritant that is an emotional annoyance. When talking about perfume, think of irritant as defined in your Oxford Dictionary: POISON. Although, I must admit, I have found that management teams that prefer to poison the air with perfumed products do cause distress, as used above. Distress as defined by American Heritage Dictionary means: A STATE OF PHYSICAL OR MENTAL SUFFERING, PAIN, MISERY, HURT, AGONY, ANGUISH,WOE, AFFLICTION. Chemical irritants -- poisons -- cause physical injury. -- barb http://www.businessandhealth.com/hostedfiles/features/allergiesatwork/consumer/article01.htm From Canada: Canada's Safety Council - Canada's Voice and Resource for Safety Perfume in the Workplace Hospitals and healthcare facilities are not only sources of patient care, but they are also workplaces. In all cases, cleaner indoor air is a MUST! -- barb "... Chemicals used in fragrances can cause health problems such as shortness of breath, headaches and migraines, nausea, muscle pain, and cold-like symptoms. Asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and allergies can all be adversely affected by the chemicals found in scented products. According to the Lung Association, one study found that 72 per cent of people with asthma had adverse reactions to perfumes. ... "In the meantime, what can workplaces do to protect employees with chemical sensitivities? "First of all, when an employee raises concerns about his or her reaction to perfumes, management should take the matter seriously. Assuming systems are in place to maintain good indoor air quality, the next step is to identify the exact source of the problem and assess its extent. If the source is one or two employees, management should let those employees know the effect their perfume has on other staff and ask them to wear a lighter scent. ..." Lighter scents are petrochemically laden, as are so many products misleadingly labeled in the USA as "fragrance-free" or "unscented." It is OK by our FDA to add scent as a masking odor. -- barb http://www.safety-council.org/info/OSH/perfume.html Canadian Centre for Occupational and Health Safety ( CCOHS) Indoor Air Quality: A Legitimate OSH Concern "... The reason IAQ problems are difficult to determine is that building occupants are exposed to not one but several adverse conditions. For example, you might not think that the slight emissions from furniture, carpets, photocopiers, or the perfume worn by your co-workers could be harmful, but in combination they can affect your health. Again, these effects are impossible to trace accurately, but the condition does have a name: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). ..." http://www.ccohs.ca/headlines/text27.html Health & Safety Programs - Scent-Free Policy for the Workplace http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/scent_free.html Centers for Independent Living (CIL) and Independent Living Resource Centers (ILRCs) Arizona Bridge to Independent Living "NO FRAGRANCES PLEASE.Ý The ABIL office is a fragrance-free, tobacco-free environment.Ý Please do not wear scented products or smoking when visiting our center.Ý Thank you. http://www.abil.org/nl/999BRIDG.htm The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living 5903 Powdermill Rd. Kent, OH 44240 http://www.april-rural.org/ APRIL Fools and Follies LET'S KEEP THIS CONFERENCE SMOKE AND FRAGRANCE FREE!!! Thank You!! http://www.april-rural.org/docs/news01.html#Fools Berkeley CIL What Do You Want?! Tell Us! The Center for Independent Living Community Forums "Please Do Not Wear Scented Products." [East Oakland/Fruitvale][En Espanol] "Por Favor No Use Productos Con Perfumes AromatÌcos! " http://www.cilberkeley.org//forums.htm Independent Living Resource Center of Contra Costa County [and Solano] "... All of ILRCCC's services are FREE and available to consumers and their families who reside in Contra Costa and Solano Counties. All services are provided ragardless of race, religion, income, age, gender, or type of disability. Please call for an appointment to see a service specialist. They maintaing a scent free environment so please refrain from wearing fragrances when visiting their offices. ..." [Emphasis added.] http://LILA.ucla.edu/Master.cfm?Content=Asset&SubContent=Asset_View.cfm&LILA_AssetID=1547&CFID=2101&CFTOKEN=64548637 Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco's (ILRC) "In order to allow ILRCSF to be fully accessible to all people with disabilities,do not wear scented products to any meetings, groups, or workshops held at or by ILRCSF." http://www.ilrcsf.org/ EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES Includes people who live with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities. -- barb http://www.ilrcsf.org/Publications/prepared/index.htm Hosting teleconference by Mary Lamielle and Dr. Pamela Gibson: Understanding & Accommodating Multiple Chemical Sensitivity http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/events/mpmcstel.htm Paraquad, Inc. - Independence for people with disabilities St. Louis, MO There are a few good articles up on this website that may be of interest regarding chemical injury. -- barb http://www.paraquad.org/map.html "THE PRICE OF ACCOMMODATION "Many employers worry that accommodating disabled individuals is expensive. But studies suggest that these costs are less than commonly assumed. Only about one in ten employers reports that costs of accommodating employees with disabilities have risen "a lot" as a result of the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to the 1995 Louis Harris/National Organization on Disability survey. Accommodating the worker disabled by our modern synthetic fragrances improves the air for everyone. What a bonus! Learn from your worker who lives with MCS.-- barb http://www.paraquad.org/enable.htm Fragrance-Free Environments and No -Fragrance Spaces-- Not just a personal preference, but a Vital Matter of Health (The author, Roberta K. Rigsby, Ph.D., has kindly given permission for you to reproduce this without seeking reprint permission, but do check it closely for some typos. -- barb 02/02/02) http://www.paraquad.org/nosmell.htm Frequently Asked Questions About Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (Watch for a few typos ...) -- barb http://www.paraquad.org/faqmcs.htm Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) Pardon me, but is that your perfume I'm smelling? By Jill Klein -- E-mail: " ... No one would argue the fact that carbon monoxide, an odorless and colorless gas, is highly poisonous. But change the subject to MCS, and many of those same people will still affirm that 'if I can't see it, it doesn't exist.' ..." http://www.paraquad.org/mcs.htm New Workplace Accommodation Challenges for the 21st Century Presented by Mandy J. Gamble, MS, CRC & Tracie D. Sabb, MS Human Factors Consultants; Job Accommodation Network A Service of U.S. DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy This is a great page of information, but for those of us living with the disabiling effects of fragrance sensitization, use your Find Command to drop right to their section on Fragrance Sensitivity. -- barb http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:gm5j_kCCFjkJ:janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/symposium/Symposium_Handouts/Session3.doc+EEOC+and+fragrance+accommodation&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 or http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/symposium/Symposium_Handouts/Session3.doc or how I found it . . . http://216.239.51.100/search?q=cache:gm5j_kCCFjkJ:janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/symposium/Symposium_Handouts/Session3.doc+EEOC+and+fragrance+accommodation&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 Cities / States ... see below How to Be Fragrance Free By Peggy Munson http://www.peggymunson.com/mcs/fragrancefree.html Citizens for A Safe Learning Environment Examples of North American Organizations Which Support Scent-Free Environments http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Education/CASLE/examples.html Disabilities Awareness Guide San Francisco Police Department Environmental Illness (Multiple Chemical Sensitivites, E.I.) [from page 17] http://www.ehnca.org/ehnhompg/mcssfpd.htm ECHO'S ADA ACCESS GUIDELINES FOR CONFERENCES/WORKSHOPS AND MEETINGS http://www.ehnca.org/ehnlinx/bkechogu.htm EEOC ADA Policy Guidance on Job Accommodations for Individuals With Disabilities http://www.eeoc.gov/press/3-1-99.html U.S. EEOC - Fragrance Illness Accommodation - Roberts v. U.S. DOT http://www.ehnca.org/ehnhompg/eroberts.htm Executive PayWatch from AFL-CIO http://www.aflcio.org/paywatch/index.htm Company/Corporation Info from Hoovers Online http://www.hoovers.com/ Fragrances and Aromatic Substances should not be used indiscriminately indoors Berlin, Umweltbundesamt/Federal Environmental Agency, Germany http://www.umweltbundesamt.de/uba-info-presse-e/pressemitteilungen-e/p1400e.htm Fragrances and Aromatic Substances .... Mirrored on EHN's site with permission of Umweltbundesamt/Federal Environmental Agency, Germany http://www.ehnca.org/ehnlinx/ffberlin.htm How to Request Accommodation http://www.eeoc.gov/docs/accommodation.html#contents3 JAN (Job Accommodation Network) for Canada and the U.S. "A free service of the Office of Disability Employment Policy of the U.S. Department of Labor" http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/ Jan's Site map http://www.jan.wvu.edu/links/sitemap.html JAN's Web Site Portal for Employers http://www.jan.wvu.edu/portals/private_er.htm JAN's Web Site Portal for Individuals http://www.jan.wvu.edu/portals/individuals.htm Accommodating People with Fibromyalgia Excerpted: "Respiratory Difficulties: Provide adjustable ventilation Keep work environment free from dust, smoke, odor, and fumes Implement a "fragrance-free" workplace policy and a "smoke free" building policy ... " [Emphasis added] http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/Fibro.html New Workplace Accommodation Challenges for the 21st Century Presented by Mandy J. Gamble, MS, CRC & Tracie D. Sabb, MS Human Factors Consultants; Job Accommodation Network A Service of U.S. DOL's Office of Disability Employment Policy This is a great page of information, but for those of us living with the disabiling effects of fragrance sensitization, use your Find Command to drop right to their section on Fragrance Sensitivity. These links will not open new pages. -- barb http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:gm5j_kCCFjkJ:janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/symposium/Symposium_Handouts/Session3.doc+EEOC+and+fragrance+accommodation&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 or http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/symposium/Symposium_Handouts/Session3.doc or how I found it . . . http://216.239.51.100/search?q=cache:gm5j_kCCFjkJ:janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/symposium/Symposium_Handouts/Session3.doc+EEOC+and+fragrance+accommodation&hl=en&ie=UTF-8 Worksite Accommodation Ideas for Individuals With Fragrance Sensitivity This link opens a new page. -- barb "... Over the past several years, JAN has provided information regarding fragrance sensitivity and accommodations in the workplace. There has been a steady increase in cases related to chemical sensitivity, environmental illness, allergy and respiratory impairments. JAN Consultants have found that fragrance sensitivity is the most prevalent issue related to these cases. A JAN case database search for the term fragrance resulted in a clear increase in cases since 1992; 37 cases between 1992-1995, and 567 between 1996-2000." [emphasis added] Translation: It costs money to not control the use of scented products in the workplace. And for the chemically injured, the costs are beyond calculation! -- barb "...An employer could choose to make a request that employees voluntarily refrain from wearing fragrances or the employer could go as far as creating a policy that requires employees to refrain. An employer has the right to decide how far is reasonable when implementing accommodations. ..." http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/fragrance.html Work-Site Accommodation Ideas for Individuals Who Experience Limitations Due to Chemical Sensitivity Environmental Illness (EI) "Basic Accommodation Considerations: Provide air purification. Provide additional rest breaks for the individual to step out for fresh air. Create a smoke and fragrance-free work environment. ..." [Emphasis added] http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/MCS.html NEJAC's Resolution on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity This link opens a new page. -- barb http://www.ehnca.org/ehnhompg/thnejac1.htm Pro Se Lawsuit ... Ragged Edge http://www.raggededgemagazine.com/ "File your own access lawsuit -- here's how" "Thanks to the Pennsylvania Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities for providing this information on how to file a Pro Se Lawsuit. . . ." http://www.raggededgemagazine.com/archive/pro-se.htm San Francisco Vocational Services (SFVS) "SFVS is a division of Rehabilitation Services of Northern California, Inc. (RSNC), a private, non-profit 501(c)3 multi-service rehabilitation organization. SFVS provides services to the vocationally disabled and industrially injured worker." "Our facility has a fragrance-free policy for those with environmental sensitivities" http://www.sfvocationalservices.org/welcome.htm Sierra Club's San Francisco Bay Conservation Committee's "98.12.01 Excessive Use of Fragrance Products in Public Places" Referenced in E-Magazine's Smelling Good But Feeling Bad. -- barb http://tamalpais.sierraclub.org/chapters/sanfranciscobay/policy/december1998.htm or on EHN's site: http://www.ehnca.org/ehnhompg/sfbaccff.htm What does perfume do to paint? See a school classroom door that was maliciously sprayed with perfume. -- barb The Fragrant Door http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnhompg/doorjudy.htm Return to top Site-specific suggestions: Access Board [U.S. Access] "Board Adopts Policy to Promote Fragrance-Free Environments" (2000) http://www.access-board.gov/news/fragrance.htm Meetings "The Board's bylaws provide that Board meetings be held on the Wednesday following the second Tuesday of every other month. The meeting dates for future committee and Board meetings are listed below. The first day listed is a Monday in the event there is a need for a three-day Board meeting. Under its fragrance-free policy, the Board requests that all participants refrain from wearing perfume, cologne and other fragrances, and use unscented personal care products in order to promote a fragrance-free environment at its meetings and other public events. http://www.access-board.gov/about/boardmembers.htm Access Board and Indoor Air Quality [Solicitations closed 10/30/01] http://www.access-board.gov/news/indoorair-notice.htm Board Issues New Accessibility Guidelines for Recreation Facilities (2002) Summary: Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Electromagnetic Sensitivities http://www.access-board.gov/recreation/final.htm#SUMMARY Centers for Independent Living (CIL) Cities / States Also check Meeting Notices, below. The Coalition for a Healthy Ottawa Ontario Canada "Debra Sine, Lawyer. 'People with environmental sensitivities have the right to be free from chemical assault. Ontario Commissioner of Human Rights said municipalities have a legal duty to protect the most vulnerable citizens from harm due to pesticide exposures.' " Now available at http://www.flora.org/healthyottawa/fact%20sheets.htm The Coalition for a Healthy Ottawahad been at http://www.sankey.ws/choc.html And, my belief is that all people have a right to be protected from the proliferation of perfume poisons. That could begin with honest labeling and honest reporting of the "thorough" testing the industry claims it does. Let us have truth in labeling. Let's see those industry tests for effects upon users and nonusers from inhalation, for neurological effects, for systemic effects, for effects upon fetuses, our elderly, our already ill, for effects upon all of us over time. IF our modern, synthesized scents are as safe as industry claims, then let's see the chemicals used listed on the labels and the results of truly thorough testing. Bump up the testing to include more than just dermatological effects to the user. -- barb "When No Scents Makes Sense "Please remember to be aware of those people with asthma, allergies, and other lung conditions, whose health is adversely affected when they are exposed to scented products. You can help by not wearing such things as perfumes, colognes and aftershaves - to places like church services, Christmas parties, or other public gatherings. "If you would like to know more about scent-free or fragrance-free products available on PEI, please call our office for our pamphlet, or check out our website (PEI Lung) www.pei.lung.ca." Be savy, for even on their scent-free page, they list a standard insect repellent and unscented, standard fabric softeners. Always winnow all information . . . even what I provide! -- barb http://www.pei.lung.ca/scentfree.html.] How to Be Fragrance Free By Peggy Munson http://www.peggymunson.com/mcs/fragrancefree.html Berkeley, California Change can happen! On Jan. 15, 2002, the Berkeley City Council voted unanimously to change the wording adopted under pressure from the fragrance industry in 1996. Mayor Shirley Dean wrote a friend on Jan. 15, 2002: "I am pleased to inform you that at the Council meeting of January 15, 2002, the following language was moved by Councilmember Betty Olds and approved unanimously by the Council: 'The City Council requests that people refrain from wearing scented products to the meetings.' "This new language will start appearing immediately on all notices of meetings held by the City." BYE-BYE obfuscating Fragrance-free meeting statement, developed under fragrance industry pressure and adopted April 30, 1996. " Attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various odors, whether natural or manufactured, in products and materials. Please help the City respect these needs." http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/newreact/whocares.htm#Berkeley Berkeley's Commission on Disability http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/commissions/disability/disabilitydocs/bcdisho.html Public Art Forum and Workshop for Bay Area Artists This is the old Berkeley language: " ... This is a smoke-free and fragrance-free meeting; attendees are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various odors, whether natural or manufactured, in products and materials. Please help us respect these needs. ..." http://www.ci.berkeley.ca.us/news/1999/99may/052799pubart.html Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax, Nova Scotia Halifax, Nova Scotia and its fragrance-free information Citizens for A Safe Learning Environment http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Education/CASLE/examples.html Halifax Regional Municipality "No-Scent Makes Good Sense "Halifax Regional Municipality has had a "No-Scent" encouragement program in effect for the past four years. It encourages people to be aware of others who may suffer allergies or sensitivities to fragrances found in perfumes, hair sprays, deodorants, creams and many other personal grooming products. "There has been tremendous positive feedback from the public and visitors to this policy. However, we must emphasize that this is a "public awareness" program only. It is not a by-law or any other form of legislation; it is not an enforceable issue, and there are no fines or penalties. ..." http://www.region.halifax.ns.ca//mediaroom/scents.html Oakland, California The city of Oakland has developed a policy which provides not only wording for scent-free meetings, but also "[m]aintains and distributes a list of EI/MCS suitable cleaning anad/or building maintenance products. The stated purpose of this policy is: "To ensure accessibility to City and City-sponsored meetings, programs, activities and services for people with EI/MCS. ..." Policy 138 -- City Access Policy for People With Environmental Illness/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (EI/MCS) Under Action, page 5, number 6. "When publicizing meetings or other public activities, announce in all media formats as follows: (a) meeting announcement; (b) graphics; (c) additional information; (d) notice on auxiliary aids and services (see AI 123); and (e) EI/MCS notice, as follows: 'In consideration of people with chemical sensitivities, please refrain from wearing perfumed personal care products to this event.' " Interestingly, when one clicks out to an agenda or minutes, one will read the following statement, reflecting the industry's wish for limiting it to "strongly scented" products: IN COMPLIANCE WITH OAKLAND'S POLICY FOR PEOPLE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ILLNESS/MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES, PLEASE REFRAIN FROM WEARINGSTRONGLY SCENTED PRODUCTS TO MEETINGS PDF: http://www.oaklandnet.com/government/city_clerk/citycouncilguide.pdf San Francisco, California "Chemical Sensitivity "In order to assist the City's efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical based products. Please help the City accommodate these individuals." For example, see: Small Business Commission (Nov. 2004), near page bottom http://sfgov.org/site/sbc_page.asp?id=28194 Folks, if you don't know that perfumes are petrochemical-based products, you won't know to leave your perfume and other scented products at home for your own enjoyment, amongst consenting, non-preganat adults. See the toxic chenicals found in fragrances with your own eyes!-- barb EHN's - FDA Petition - Docket Number 99P-1340 (with analyses, FDA contact information and complementary information) http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm Betty's FPIN (Fragranced Products Information Network) http://www.fpinva.org/petition99P1340.htm GreenPeace UK has also made fragrance analyses available . . . see The Chemical Home http://www.greenpeace.org.uk/Products/Toxics/chemicalhouse.cfm?producttypeid=5 San Rafael, California Keyed in from hard copy. -- barb "To allow individuals with environmental illness or multiple chemical sensitivity to attend the meeting or hearing, individuals are requested to refrain from wearing scented products." For example see City of San Rafael Pickleweed Park Advisory Board, near page bottom: http://www.cityofsanrafael.org/pickleweed/ Santa Clara, California) Keyed in from hard copy. -- barb "Individuals with severe allergies, environmental illness, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities should contact the City's ADA office at 408.261.5200 to discuss meeting accessibility. In order to allow participation by such individuals, please do not wear scented products to meetings at City facilities." For example see near page bottom of an Agenda (Note, telephone numbers for contacting the ADA office vary with agenda, but the number listed above is one I was given on a copy of their meeting notice policy statement. -- barb) http://cho.ci.santa-clara.ca.us/203.html Santa Cruz, California " The City of Santa Cruz does not discriminate against persons with disabilities. Out of consideration for people with chemical sensitivities, we ask that you attend fragrance free. If you wish to attend this public meeting and will require assistance such as an interpreter for American Sign Language, Spanish, or other special equipment, please call the City Clerk¼s Department at 420-5030 at least three days in advance so that we can arrange for such special assistance. The Cal-Relay system number: 1-800-735-2922. " For example, see: http://www.ci.santa-cruz.ca.us/cc/archives/00/7-25a.html Shutesbury, Massachusetts David Ames writes: "What we have done in Shutesbury makes common sense, and it is easy. Perhaps other towns may wish to implement the same thing. We are doing this as an educational program and not an enforcement program. As you enter the municipal buildings you will see a poster that I downloaded from the Nova Scotia Nurses Union called 'No scents is good sense'." Skunk poster: http://www.yorku.ca/dohs/doc/Guidelines/ScentedProducts/skunk.htm. I made some pouches out of envelopes and we have placed awareness flyers in them. We purposely vary the official language somewhat. We have used the following: This is a fragrance free zone. This meeting is fragrance free. This meeting is fragrance free for everyone's comfort. Please remember that this is a fragrance free meeting. Thank you for making this a fragrance free meeting. David Ames wrote to me: I am more than glad to have you share our efforts. If anyone has any other questions, feel free to e-mail David Ames townadmin@shutesbury.org or call me at 413.259.1214. Shutesbury's Town Hall accessibility project underway. What is Fragrance Free, anyway? FAQ About Fragrances Ziporah Hildebrandt, Chair, ADA Committee http://www.shutesbury.org/ada_committee/project_underway.htm Shutesbury holds its nose over scents By Associated Press, 4/27/2003; Boston Globe http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/117/metro/Shutesbury_holds_its_nose_over_scents-.shtml Shutesbury goes 'fragrance-free' By SCOTT MERZBACH, Staff Writer Daily Hampshire Gazette http://www.gazettenet.com/09182001/news/6550.htm or http://web.archive.org/web/20011213020523/http://www.gazettenet.com/09182001/news/6550.htm [Shutesbury] Non-toxic and Fragrance-Free Cleaning Supplies Approved by Shutesbury ADA Com for use in town buildings http://shutesbury.org/ada_committee/documents/cleaning.html [Shutesbury] Preferable Office Equipment and Furnishings http://shutesbury.org/ada_committee/documents/equip.html [Shutesbury] Why we request fragrance free ä http://shutesbury.org/ada_committee/documents/fragranceFree.html STATES . . . Missouri: Office of Administration's Fragrance-Free Policy My home state -- I'm proud of the work Jeanne has accomplished, and of my state for listening to the information and documentation that she and her colleagues have brought to their attention. My guiding principle has been Show Me! And, that's what I ask of the fragrance industry and the government agencies charged with protecting public health: Show me, and all of us, that the trade secret-protected petrochemically derived chemicals used in inadequately tested combinations are truly safe. Right now we are certainly assured by industry that their products are "safe and wholesome." (By whose definition of those words, I wonder!) That flies in the face of reality: growing numbers of fragrance-sensitized individuals of all ages, races, genders. And, we are led to believe these products are safe, without substantiation of safety, and with total disregard of the effects upon non users, with total disregard of the long-term and systemic effects upon users and nonusers and despite the fact that during the years of the unchecked proliferation of perfume and perfumed products, chronic diseases and premature deaths have skyrocked. -- barb " ... The Governor's Council on Disability requests that all offices and spaces used by Council staff and by their visitors remain free of chemical-based scented products. ...Ý" http://www.gcd.oa.mo.gov/scentfree.shtml -- back to General Suggestions, above -- -- back to Meeting Notices, below -- Remember, links drop but you should be able to find articles if important to you.   -- barb Cleaners, Disinfectants & Air "fresheners" You and others around you get your fragrance chemicals from cleaners, disinfectants and air "fresheners" (WHAT A MISNOMER, THAT IS!) . . . as well as in perfumes and personal care products. Just think, you don't have to be a primary fragrance user, you simply have to breathe the air polluted by the multitude of perfumed products! -- barb Fragrance-free Hospitals, Schools, Workplaces, etc. need fragrance-FREE cleaning and maintenance products. The following info is provided in the spirit of helping you find safer products -- "greener," which means healthier and more environmentally friendly, products. EHN does not recommend any products. Some products listed here are only to give you an idea of what is available. -- barb GREEN defined: The Department of the Interior states under its "Guidance and Training on Greening Your Janitorial Business CHAPTER 2: Traditional Versus "Green" Cleaning Products" -- subhead: "A Sampling of Environmental Attributes for Cleaning Products" "Must not contain petrochemical-derived fragrances." http://www.doi.gov/greening/sustain/trad.html Check your "green" products! See pages C / Clean and G / Green and "Pest Mgt. Info on EHN's "General Links" C, Clean http://www.ehnca.org/ehnlinx/c.htm#Clean G, Green http://www.ehnca.org/ehnlinx/g.htm#Green "Pest" Mgt. & Pesticide Info http://www.ehnca.org/ehnlinx/pestcide.htm The fragrance industry tells us that fragrances do not clean the air. RIFM RESPIRATORY SAFETY PROGRAM - INDOOR AIR QUALITY http://www.rifm.org/WHITE%20PAPER%20IAQ%20DIsola%20v2%2004082004.htm. Suggestions for greening your cleaning, follows. This should mean fragrance-FREE to you, if you begin studying the chemicals used to make our modern scents. During the past 30 years or so, the fragrance industry has moved to ownership by big pharmaceuticals and from scents made largely from plant and animal essences to those that are mostly synthesized from petrochemical derivatives. (You may also wish to be mindful of the fact that modern pharmaceuticals can also be synthesized from petrochemical derivatives.) Managers/ Administrators: Do you have health problems in the workplace? Think fragrances . . . they are among the VOCs (volatile organic compounds) you often read about as being pollutants. And don't forget, fragrances are added to personal care products as well as household and janitorial cleaning and maintenance products. This includes detergents and fabric softeners as well as disinfectants and pesticides. Imagine the air pollution capabilities from the plethora of fragrance products in your workplace. Then get to work cleaning up. Go fragrance-FREE. A little fragrance education for your employees, and they may get the idea to start ridding their home environments of these unnecessary scent toxins also. And you should think in terms of making purchases of green, fragrance-FREE products for use around the workplace. -- barb CleaningPro -- Great info available, but again, do your own research. -- barb Fragrance-free Cleaning Products http://www.cleaningpro.com/products/a-z/f.htm#Fragrance-Free A TOXICITY REPORT ON CLEANING CHEMICALS! ARE YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN SAFE? http://www.cleaningpro.com/toxic.cfm Cleaning Products A to Z: A Includes fragrance-FREE. -- barb http://www.cleaningpro.com/products/a-z/a.htm Cleaning Products From A to Z: H Includes fragrance-FREE. -- barb http://www.cleaningpro.com/products/a-z/h.htm The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Environmentally Preferable Products Procurement Program Cleaning Products, Environmentally Preferable http://www.state.ma.us/osd/enviro/products/cleaning.htm Health Care Without Harm's info on Fragrances, Cleaners, Disinfectants and Pesticides http://www.noharm.org/pesticidesCleaners/issue Improved Productivity and Health from Better Indoor Environments "Recently completed analyses suggest that improving buildings and indoor environments could reduce health-care costs and sick leave and increase worker performance, resulting in an estimated productivity gain of $30 to $150 billion annually. " CBS Newsletter; Summer 1997; pg. 5 Now if this doesn't speak volumes on WHY you should start a truly clean cleaning policy, I don't know what will. Available through The WayBack Machine. -- barb http://web.archive.org/web/20020615073431/http://eetd.lbl.gov/cbs/newsletter/NL15/productivity.html Virox Disinfectants and Sanitizers Alas, for the life of me I cannot remember how I came upon this information, but as in all cases, do your own research. EHN nor I recommend . . . this is only a suggestion to show you what is available. -- barb http://www.viroxtech.com/industrial/but_disinfectant.asp -- end Clean information and suggestions -- For more info, go to EHN's specific sections on CLEAN, GREEN, PAINT, CARPETS, etc. available off homepage . . . www.ehnca.org -- barb ECHO's How to http://hometown.aol.com/ECHOMCSCT/index19.html EEOC - Fragrance Illness Accommodation - Roberts v. U.S. DOT http://www.ehnca.org/ehnhompg/eroberts.htm Examples of Accommodation: When Fragrances Are Toxic CCH Canadian http://www.ca.cch.com/emonthly/sept/hr/index1.asp#self FedWorkersComp.net helping injured workers since 1998 - formerly Fedupfeds.org http://www.fedworkerscomp.net/ MCS Guide - An introduction by Bonnye Matthews, MCS survivor http://www.fedworkerscomp.net/mcsguide.htm Fragrance Foundation®, Inc.and the "Scent circle" http://www.fragrance.org/feature_tip_content.html Opinion: The industry's standard for escaping fragrance chemicals is "approximately an arm's length" but that is next to impossible to adhere to with the formulation of these modern synthetic, petrochemical-derived scents. Perfumes are volatile organic compounds, which leave the user to become one with the air we all breathe! Air is not stagnant. It moves, it flows, and it takes its chemical pollutants with it. Remember air currents? They don't just show up on weather maps. Add to that the fact that the industry also advises people to layer up starting with toilet water and also from feet to head ... and to reapply during the day. Not to mention, synthetic scents are now made to waft further and last longer and there are more scents added to a greater variety of products than ever before. And if that isn't enough to cause unwarranted air pollution, more people are wearing more scents more places than ever before. Seems to me, that just as is discovered with drugs when a new one is rushed to market with relatively few people using it, the more people who use synthetic chemicals, the more likely the chance that there will be obvious negative effects. But in the case of scented products, adverse health events happen to user AND to the nonuser, who in reality is the secondhand user. Be it synthetic drugs or fragrances or pesticides, some adverse health effects come sooner to some people, than others. But over time, everyone is subject to the negative effects of superfluous toxins -- fragrance chemicals store in fatty tissue and target organs.And the more people who use these products, the more likely those adverse effects will come to light. While adverse health effects of drugs affect the users, fragrances in personal care and household and janitorial cleaning and maintenance prdoucts can adversely affect both first- and secondhand users -- including pregnant women. Let me spell this out: there is evidence that embryos and fetuses can be adversely affected by fragrance chemicals. See EHN's Pregnancy & Fragrance http://www.ehnca.org/ehnlinx/p.htm#Pregnancy One's reaction to synthetic fragrances could be something so insidious as having recurring "colds" or "flu" or it could show up as"adult onset acne" or "adult onset asthma" due to airborne fragrance chemicals used by others. (This has happened to me, and one of my daughters has eczema flares). Or it could be that one goes into asthma or anaphylactic shock, sinusitis, migraines or other headaches ... or a dizzying array of other symptoms. All of which are believeable by the astute doctor who stops to realize that there may be over 5,000 (certainly at least 3,000) chemicals used to formulate fragrances, tens to hundreds of which are used to create a scent, and too little toxicological data is known about those chemicals used singly. But what is known is that the chemicals include VOCs, irritants, sensitiziers, and they are suspected or known neurotoxins, carcinogens and/or teratogens (adversely affecting embryonic or fetal development). It is past time due that our government start protecting public health and that our medical industry start recognizing that synthetic chemical products can and do cause a wide variety of debilitating and disabling illnesses. Our soaring rates of asthma, cancers, various chronic illnesses, including MCS, is more than the stultifying image given of just a bunch of crybabies clammoring for attention. It is the mark of chemical poisoning. We are the harbingers. Listen to us! Fragrance sensitization demands the attention of our government officials and of our medical industry . . . sans pharmaceutical biases, and without the oft-published rants of industry apologists. In the meantime: Caveat Emptor! -- barb Dance It is good sense to leave your scents at home when dancing. Heat makes the chemicals in synthetically scented products volatilize all the more, which quickly pollutes the air for all. Plus, your increased respiration does a wonderfu job of bringing the chemicals into your body, whether from your products or those worn by others. People have become disabled as a result of secondary and tertiary levels of exposure. Me for one. In the workplace. Low-levels they say! Remember to check FDA Petition and Analyses for chemicals found in popular scents. http://www.ehnca.org/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm Chemical injury can happen to YOU. The industry is not regulated. Synthetic scents contain chemicals that are known irritants and sensitizers and contain known or suspected carcinogens, neurotoxins and teratogens (adversely affecting embryonic and fetal development.) Scent-free is a health issue. Being disabled by the chemicals in scented products makes it an access issue. Please use sense, not scents. -- barb How to Be Fragrance Free By Peggy Munson http://www.peggymunson.com/mcs/fragrancefree.html 22nd Annual Spring Ball in Ashland, April 6, 2002 Hosted by the Ashland Branch of the Heather and the Rose Country Dancers Contact: Brooke Friendly, (541) 482-9586, friendsack@opendoor.com " ... This event is fragrance-free - please help us make dance accessible to all by not wearing scented products! For more information on safe products to use and the harmful effects of fragrance see the Seattle Country Dancers fragrance-free web page. ..." http://www.opendoor.com/heatherandrose/activities.html The Bay Area Country Dance Society Website (San Francisco Bay Area) http://www.bacds.org/ BACDS 2003 Playford Ball "An Entertainment in King Arthur's Court" March 29, 2003 Fragrance-FREE request with suggestions for products to use. -- barb Excerpted: "Fragrance Free: "Some dance attendees suffer from heightened sensitivity to solvents and petroleum products including perfume and fragrance. These chemicals can act not only as respiratory irritants, but also as cardiac stimulants (skyrocketing blood pressure, palpitations) and neurotoxins (symptoms include tremors, mental confusion, equilibrium loss, blurred vision). Exposure to products containing even small amounts of these chemicals can cause these symptoms. "Please understand that this is not just a preference issue - it can be a serious health issue. Chemical sensitivity results from continued exposure to solvents and products in doses thought to be safe: this could happen to any one of us. Because the dance halls are enclosed spaces, even small amounts of fragrance or scented or toxic products on a few people can add up quickly to intolerable amounts. Our fellow dancers with chemical sensitivities may not be able to attend unless we all work together to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals. I'll vouch for the skyrocketing blood pressure . . . but some friends have precipitous drops. Diversity shows up in Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, too. I'll also state that it is imperative that everyone be fragrance-free. Modern fragrances are concocted so that if one person decides s/he has the God-given right to wear man-made petroleum synthesized products, the already chemically injured individual will be forced out, or could suffer dire health consequences. --barb http://timelord01.home.sprynet.com/playford/fragrance.htm Fragrance Free Camp March 14 - 16, 2003 http://www.bacds.org/camps/sprwkend2003/fragrancefree/ English Dance Week, July 2002 " ... A significant number of campers suffer from heightened sensitivity to solvents and petroleum products, including perfume and fragrance. To deal with this serious health issue we've instituted a fragrance-free policy, so that we can open the dance floor to everyone. We provide fragrance-free soap, shampoo, conditioner, and hand lotion for camper use at all the bathrooms and hand-wash stations. Further details appear in your camper letter. ..." http://www.bacds.org/camps/eweek2002/ew02site.html Information on Our Fragrance-Free Policy http://www.bacds.org/camps/eweek2002/fragfree.html BACDS 2002 Playford Ball Bay Area Country Dance (that is the San Francisco Bay Area) "A Midsummer Night's Dream" March 23, 2002 "Fragrance Free: " A significant number of dance attendees suffer from heightened sensitivity to solvents and petroleum products including perfume and fragrance. These chemicals can act not only as respiratory irritants, but also as cardiac stimulants (skyrocketing blood pressure, palpitations) and neurotoxins (symptoms include tremors, mental confusion, equilibrium loss, blurred vision). Exposure to products containing even small amounts of thee chemicals can cause these symptoms. "Please understand that this is not a preference issue - it is a serious health issue. Chemical sensitivity results from continued exposure to solvents and products in doses thought to be safe: this could happen to any one of us. Because the dance halls are enclosed spaces, even small amounts of fragrance or scented or toxic products on a few people can add up quickly to intolerable amounts. Our fellow dancers with chemical sensitivities can attend only if we all work together to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals. ..." This page includes info on some fragrance-free products . . . but remember, we are all different in what we can tolerate. -- barb http://timelord01.home.sprynet.com/playford/fragrance.htm Citing health concerns, activists seek restrictions, scent-free areas By Jenny Deam; Denver Post Staff Writer; June 25, 2000 http://www.denverpost.com/life/sniff0625.htm Dance-Scents-Less - a list to join http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dance-scents-less/messages California Friends of Louisiana French Music (CFLFM) Some of you may not be aware that CFLFM has begun supporting a fragrance-free dance environment. Out of consideration for those who are allergic to scented products (and thereðis more than one person), we ask that you refrain from wearing them to the events we sponsor. At most of our events we make no attempt to monitor fragrance use. Instead, we rely on a spirit of cooperation, growing out of a recognition that we all share the air. However, certain designated events, particularly those held in Petaluma, will be labelled "Fragrance-Free". At these events, there will an expectation that people will be able to attend without a risk to their health. Knowing that most people still need to get used to this fragrance-free idea, and will sometimes forget, there will be no "cop at the door". However, complaints from other attendees will be taken into consideration. We're playing this by ear and want to keep everyone happy, but the eventual goal of the fragrance-free events is for them to be just that, 100% fragrance-free. To save any misuderstanding or inconvenience, please do not wear any scented products to an event labeled Fragrance Free. There are unscented versions of any personal hygiene product you might need, and some may be available at the event for your convenience. Thank you for your cooperation. -- Dwight Shackelford, tshack@silver-bayou.com WHAT IS ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCING? English Country Dancing - Washington State "Seattle: 1st, 3d, 5th Fridays September-June at University Friends Center, Beginner's Workshop 7:30, dance 8-10:30. ALL DANCES ARE FRAGRANCE-FREE. http://www-ssrl.slac.stanford.edu/~winston/ecd/hotbeds.htmlx#Washington Seattle's English Country Ball Dancing in Clean Air: Our Fragrance-free Policy "The Seattle English country dances are advertised as "fragrance free". This is because about 15% of the general population and about 20% of our English country dance community have adverse health effects from perfume and solvents, and become ill from even small amounts of fragrance products. Reported adverse health effects from perfume range from migraine headaches and asthma attacks to cardiac and neurological symptoms, including permanent brain damage. This is not a preference issue -- it is a serious health issue for a significant number of people. ..." http://ball2001.editthispage.com/fragrance Seattle - The Third Occasional Cascadia English Country Dance Weekend April 29-30, Year???; Lake City Community Center, 12531 - 28th Ave. NE, Seattle (This fragrance free dance link no longer works.) http://www.oz.net/~bestockp/cascadia.html) Seattle's English Country Ball - Fragrance-Free Policy January 13, 2001 http://ball2001.editthispage.com/fragrance Garry Kaluzny's Cajun/Zydeco Page Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA "Note that the Cajun/Zydeco dances at the Pittsfield Grange Hall are: Smoke-free! Alcohol-free! Fragrance-free! We ask that patrons please refrain from wearing perfumes or other scented products. This is so folks with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (and who can't be around chemical "fragrances") can come dancing, too! http://acs.madonna.edu/~kaluzny/cajun/ North Bay Country Dance Society (North San Francisco Bay Area) Fragrance-Free Dances "Your thoughtfulness in refraining from applying fragrance before coming to a dance helps our members who have chemical sensitivities." http://www.nbcds.org/calendar/blurb.html Spring Dance Romance Registration Update (March 12, 1999 ) "We are also trying an experiment this year at SDR. There are members of the dance community (and in fact the world), who have varying degrees of sensitivity to chemicals used in perfumes, after shaves, hair products, and many personal care items. These products can trigger asthma attacks, and other physical reactions. While we understand that in no way can we provide a chemically/fragrance free environment, we would like to try making the weekend enjoyable for all. We are asking participants who choose to dance in the fragrance free/low fragrance dance line, to refrain from wearing scented personal care products. We also recognize that this is an individual matter and in no way want anyone to feel that they cannot make their own personal choices. There will be sample packets of fragrance free/low fragrance products available to dancers when they register at the dance. http://tcd.sbc.edu/update.html EMF/EMR (Electromagnetic Field/Radiation) Injury See EHN's informational resources http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/e.htm#EMF Susan Molloy, Consultant to the Chemically and Electrically Sensitive for Access to schools, public buildings, etc. "Susan Molloy" susanm@cybertrails.com Also see, http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/m.htm#Molloy Hospitals - Healthcare Facilities and Health Issues Here is the GOOD NEWS (Bad News, below) Also see General Suggestions for more ideas regarding access and accommodation. http://www.ehnca.org/ehnhompg/takheart.htm#Access With the rapidly rising rates of asthma cases, cancers, Parkinson's, ADD, ADHD, Alzheimers, acne, eczema, rhinitis, sinusitis, etc. -- and including iatrogenic illnesses and deaths -- I suggest that the medical industry start paying attention to the real experts: The persons already living with chemical injury. It is past time due to stop paying attention to the chemical industry front organizations with industry apologists, and it's quacking doctors. Healthcare facilities with true concern for their patients' and staff's health and welfare have concern for their air quality! Such healthcare facilities create and implement policies and programs that restrict the use of fragrances and pesticides. 2004: FINALLY! The fragrance industry tells us that fragrances do not clean the air. "RIFM RESPIRATORY SAFETY PROGRAM - INDOOR AIR QUALITY" http://www.rifm.org/WHITE%20PAPER%20IAQ%20DIsola%20v2%2004082004.htm. -- barb ACCESS TO MEDICAL FACILITIES FOR THE DISABLED By Kathleen Houghton Dir. Alaska CFIDS/MCS Association; Date: Feb 16, 2000 Posted by blanket permission -- barb http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnhompg/hosacces.htm ieq - Indoor Environmental Quality Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) Protocol Southwest General Health Center (SWGHC) Middleburg Heights, OH From NIBS' website (National Institute of Building Sciences) "Purpose: To outline the management and nursing responsibilities caring for a patient experiencing Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)" I hope that ALL healthcare facilities start recognizing the special needs of the ALREADY chemically injured patient. In doing so, facilities may go far in preventing more cases of MCS. -- barb http://ieq.nibs.org/rooms/app_c.php RULE 402. NUISANCE (Adopted May 7, 1976) 402-3 100 GENERAL 101 PURPOSE: To protect the public's health and welfare from the emission of air contaminants which constitute a nuisance. 102 EXEMPTIONS: The provisions of this rule shall not apply to odors emanating from agricultural operations necessary for the growing of crops or the raising of fowl or animals. (California Health & Safety Code, Section 41705) 300 STANDARDS 301 NUISANCE: A person shall not discharge from any source whatsoever such quantities of air contaminants or other materials which cause injury, detriment, nuisance or annoyance to any considerable number of persons or the public, or which endanger the comfort, repose, health or safety of any such persons or the public, or which cause or have natural tendency to cause injury or damage to business or property. (California Health & Safety Code, Section 41700) (Knowing the damage caused by pesticides to people, plants and animals, including pollinator species, I'd sure like to know why this rule does not apply to mega agricultural operations. Further, I'd like to know just how it is that health care facilities and doctors' offices can continue to pollute the air -- and people's bodies -- with fragrance products, including cleaners, air "fresheners" perfumes, scented personal care and cleaning products. Why does this poisoning continue??? Because doctors listen to the chemical industry and not to their patients??? -- barb wilkie, EHN president emerita) To view as HTML: http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:llunUEeb19kJ:www.airquality.org/rules/rule402.pdf+rule+402,+A+person+shall+not+discharge+from+any+source+whatsoever+such+quantities&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us&ie=UTF-8 To view as PDF: http://www.airquality.org/rules/rule402.pdf Hospitalization for the Chemically Sensitive Patient* By Selene