I want to start a discussion about the issue of fragrances and chemical sensitivity in the workplace. Last month the USA Office hosted an Open House. On the invitation, members may have noticed information about the USA office being a fragrance-free workplace. Apparently, there was discussion about this issue and it both upset and interested members. Some members felt that they too have sensitivities and wondered why the union couldn't make their workplace "fragrance-free." Others were apparently upset that they wouldn't be welcome at the office because they wear perfume.

The issue of having frangrance-free workplaces is new territory in workplace health & safety. As our culture relies more and more on fragranced products made from chemicals, so many more workers are having disorders that are linked to chemical sensitivity.

I personally suffer from severe and frequent migraines. Migraine disease is a neurological disorder and is not just a simple headache. Imagine feeling like you have an axe or knife stuck in your head much of the time. Other symptoms are nausea, dizziness, sensitivity to lights & odors, cognitive disability, neck and upper body pain and much more. In my case, I have low-level migraines most of the time (read: 4-5 times a week) and constant head and neck pain. On top of that, I have severe migraines at least once or twice a week, where my ability to function is severely compromised. When I have the low-level migraine pain, I live in fear that it will turn into a massive migraine. In fact, I ended up at the ER last week with the worst migraine of my life that didn't stop for 2 days!

So, what does this have to do with sensitivity to fragrances and chemical odors and trying to keep these out of the workplace? Well, strong odors and fragrances - cigarette smoke, perfumes and chemical smells in particular - are a huge trigger for migraineurs. There are other triggers such as the fluorescent lights, weather, hormones, certain foods, lack of sleep, and stress to name a few. Obviously, we cannot control every trigger if we are to be out in the world (but we try!) However, when we come to work, we are captive and have the right to be free from things that compromise our health in such a severe way. I get one whiff of perfume, and I can feel the migraine process starting: I start feeling sick. If exposed to it long enough, a migraine will start.

My ability to work is either greatly diminished or impossible when a migraine hits, depending on the severity. Yet, like all of us, I have to work for a living; I have bills to pay to keep myself and my family sheltered, warm and fed. So, isn't it the employer's reponsibility to provide a workplace that is accomodates this disability? BTW, I am registered at Disability Services, because I have the medical documentation to prove that I have this disability and that under the Americans With Disabilities Act, I am entitled to have these accommodations in order to be able to work.

So, this is what I want to say to those members who reacted to the USA Office fragrance-free policy:

1. If you have chemical/fragrance sensitivity, work with your Dr. and get registered with Disability Services. Then, approach your dept. about accommodating this disability. The union can help and we do have Health & Safety language in our contract, but this is cutting-edge and the law is still gray. That said, feel free to contact me if you want some support and help in trying to turn the tide on this. I have some good websites I can refer you to etc..

2. I was able to work with Donna Johnson to made these adjustments in the USA Office and to attempt to create and awareness about keeping the office fragrance-free. Thank you for understanding. If a union office cannot accommodate this need for their employee and isn't on the forefront of this, then can we expect the University to?

3. Please don't take this personally! It nearly brings me to tears when I have to ask someone to not wear frgrances near me; I don't want to tell anyone what to do and since I am in the minority, it can be downright awkward to approach this subject with co-workers and others. But, you really cannot begin to understand the absolute misery that migraines bring and the extreme pain that I endure. I don't want to sound harsh, but please...my right to work does trump your right to wear perfume at work. Feel free to wear your perfume when you are not at work. If you don't want to smell body odor, daily bathing and unscented deodorant work wonders! That's what I do.

So, I'd like to start a discussion about this and I would love to hear feedback.
Thanks!
Jane Litwin Taylor
USA Office Manager and Proud USA Member

This is such an important health and human rights issue. I'm relieved to see that this is up for discussion and that those of us who are chemically sensitive are gaining some ground on this pressing health issue.

Perfume used to be made from natural substances, and the more expensive perfumes still are, however, most people don't buy natural products as they truly are very pricey. It's my understanding that with the rise in the use of chemicals, now one in three people are chemically sensitive as chemical scents are also on the rise as manufacturers find ways to spend less and make more on the sale of their products. This rise in chemical sensitivity also corresponds with all the chemicals and pesticides we use in daily life that are breaking down our immune systems.

My daughter and I are both chemically sensitive and we also suffer from migraines when exposed to random chemicals that people carry into public places. Her sensitivities are worse than mine, however, and the resulting migraines can lay her out for 12 hours at a time. And in fact many more people are getting ill from chemical scents and don't know why. This educational process has just begun and we will all benefit.

If you are one of those who notice that you begin to feel sick and then get a headache after being exposed to strong scents, you may be chemically sensitive. Ask your doctor, and in the meantime, ask those people who wear chemicals on their bodies to be considerate of one third of the population and leave it at home. It seems safe to say that like smoking in public places, chemical scents will also soon be nixed. It's a health hazard that's on the rise with devastating effects.

Thanks for bringing this topic up, Jane.

About 15 years ago my mother started complaining about how smells were bothering her and making her sick. I thought she was just being loopy...after all she was pretty old... It wasn't until about 8 years ago that I started to notice that I couldn't walk into Yankee Candle anymore... I'd get sick, dizzy and have a terrific headache... slowly but surely I came to realize that I too, couldn't tolerate chemically induced fragrances, fabric softners, air freshners... All the cleaning supplies we use, laundry detergents, fabric softners are loaded with these chemicals. We've only been exposed to them in the past 20 or 30 years, I hate to think of what my grandchildren will be like as they've been exposed since birth. This is a big issue and becoming more of a problem every day... Just like autism which wasn't on anyone's radar even 10 years ago but now is so prevalent 1 in 250 births is effected.... we need to be aware of the changing health climate and adjust ourselves. Public spaces should be safe space for everyone. It's no fun when old habits are challenged but we're in this together. Here's to a fragrance free workplace.

(of course I have NOTHING to talk about this week as I fertilized our plants with fish emulsion Tuesday and the hallway still smells like dead fish!)

Thank you for the information you are providing people about this very important topic. In the nearly twenty years I've been working at UMass I've had to ask for accommodations several times. My office was moved and I negotiated with the university regarding appropriate building materials for over a year with the help of my union rep (who shall remain nameless because I think he'd rather not be in the forefront and is enjoying a much deserved break). It's not unusual for me to wear a mask on the way into the building in which I work because mulch (read ground up pine trees with toxic dye applied to make it look like cedar) makes me so sick I can't function. It's a very difficult life. Humor works for me. When someone asks me what I'm allergic to I tell them, "History and Modern Man." Molds (can't go into Hampshire House due to severe mold allergy), dust, chemicals, foods, etc. I work in a fairly public place and have told hundreds of people over the years about my special needs. Rarely has anyone refused to accommodate. But some people don't get it. ("I put purfume on but it was hours ago.") Migranes aren't worth it. Some folks need extra info. which requires consistency and perserverance. And humor. And respect. And sometimes tears.

I've found a treatment modality which, after twenty five years of looking (allergists, chiropractic, homeopathy, Chinese herbs & accupuncture, environmental medicine, Andean shamanism -- you name it) seems to be working. The practitioner has treated me for molds, dust, foods and some chemicals to which I'm sensitive. I'm feeling better than I have in years. It's called Advanced Allergy Therapeutics. Here's the link: http://www.allergytx.com/

I've included below some info on personal care products. Here's a database of products so you can look up what's in that supposedly benign lotion from Bath & Body Works and lots of others:
http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/splash.php?URI=%2Findex.php

Here's an excerpt from this link: http://www.hallgold.com/toxic_chemicals_in_cosmetics.html

CHEMICAL GOOD LOOKS
BY Emily Yoffe, U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT, November 10, 1997, pp. 86, 91
Each day American women reach for shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, moisturizer, and dusting powder. We apply blusher, eye shadow, mascara, and lipstick, then maybe dab on a nail polish and perfume. We look good, we smell good, and we have just exposed ourselves to 200 different chemicals. As American consumers we have every confidence that someone in a lab coat in a big government building has checked out these substances. Right? Not exactly. "You know more about the ingredients in your dog’s collar than you know about the toxicity of whatever you’re putting on your skin.", argues David Wallinga, a senior scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council in Washington, D.C. It turns out that cosmetics—a group of products that includes makeup, skin creams, hair-care products and dyes, baby lotions, and deodorants, on which Americans spend about $22 billion a year—comes to us almost un-examined by the Federal Government. And, as recent events on Capitol Hill indicate, the situation is not about to change.

To get a prescription or even an over-the-counter drug on the market, a manufacturer must first prove the drug’s safety and effectiveness to the Food and Drug Administration. The burden of proof rests on industry. That’s not the case for cosmetics, although the FDA regulates them, as well. Except for a handful of banned chemicals, manufacturers can add almost any ingredients to those revitalizing eye creams, vitamin-stuffed conditioners, and kiss-resistant lipsticks, and if questions about the safety of products arise, the burden is on the government to prove the product is unsafe. With a budget of about $5.5 million—less than one per cent of the FDA total—and around 30 employees, the cosmetics division is rarely up to that challenge, say critics.

The law governing cosmetics says that they may not contain "harmful substances". But how the tests for harmful or unsafe substances will be conducted is left up to the companies themselves. The FDA doesn’t accept standards for proper safety testing—and doesn’t require companies to do any testing at all. If the company does tests, the FDA has no authority to review the records. Companies test cosmetics for their tendency to cause allergic reactions and irritate skin (protests over using animals for these tests have led many companies to do them in test tubes and on human subjects). But as for possible long-term effects of exposure to cosmetic ingredients, says John Bailey, Director of FDA’s Office of Cosmetics and Colors, "those kind of issues are not addressed very well".
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So, all I can say folks is let's all work together with respect, humor, and good will. If I'm the first person you meet with chemical sensitivities I guarantee you I won't be the last.

Oh, and one last thing: try finding a dentist if you're allergic to modern life. I've driven over 4 hours round trip in the past to go to an appropriate dentist for MCS people. I've made countless phone calls trying to find an in-plan dentist. "Hi, can you tell me if the dentists in your office work with people with chemical sensitivities?" "I'm not sure, let me put you on hold while I try to get this information." On hold for ten minutes and then the receptionist comes back. "Sorry for the wait. What was that? Chemical sensibilities?"

My family has asthma and allergies. As my daughter's pulminologist (hope I got that right) explained to us - Anything in the air can trigger an asthma attack. If you can smell it, then it's there. Cigarette smoke, perfume, hand lotion, etc. A person might have smoked the cigarette hours ago, but if you can smell cigarette smoke on their clothes then it can be enough. My husband avoids most campus social events because he doesn't want to be bothered by the smells of everyone. At home we use unscented detergents, shampoos, soaps, and deodorants. Cleaning can be a juggle. Aerosols are not safe because the fumes naturally go in the air. I was tested for several allergens when I was a child, and mold and dust are just a couple on my list. Dogs are another, and I always gets sick if someone decides to bring Fido in to work for a "quick visit". My own asthma is mostly mild and I'm not on medication, but after getting pneumonia last winter, my doctor prescribed an inhaler, and now I do try to be extra careful to avoid things that trigger my attacks. So while we do not have prescribed "chemical sensitivities", we are bothered by much the same things that MCS people are.

The foam soap in the ladies room has a very strong perfume scent and for this reason I bring my own soap.
This is not cheap since I wash my hands alot, and these days one cannot wash one's hand too often.
I was wondering how others with chemical sensitivities find this soap and did you know, that the ingredients are listed as sodium lauryl sulfate and scent without explaining what is in the scent?

Irene, I'm having the same problem... not just not using it but just the smell from it in the bathrooms. It's a real problem. Soap from home is one solution but I wonder how we can effect some policy change on the University level. Part of the scent issues is that the manufacturers aren't required to list ingredients! Do you beleive that!

Here's some information:
* One in five people experience health problems when exposed to fragrance
* Chemical and fragrance manufacturers, protected by special laws, don't have to disclose ingredients or testing data to the government or any regulating body.
* The majority of fragrance chemicals, either singly or in combination, have not been adequately tested for human safety.
* 72% of asthmatics have adverse reactions to perfume, and asthma attacks can be fatal.
* Asthma rates have gone up 40% in the past 15 years and cost $13 Billion in US Health care cost

In 1991 the EPA studied 31 fragrance products and found toxic chemicals such as acetone, benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, ethanol ethyl acetate, linalool, methylene chloride, and a-perpineol. Each and every frangrance sample tested contained toluene, which is neurotoxic, carcinogenic and designated as hazardous waste."

This was taken from a brochure called The Hidden Danger of Fragrances. I can give people an address to order it if you're interested.

Maybe this is something the Health and Safety people could take on?

I used to love perfumes and colognes, and loaded them on. Then I followed a macrobiotic diet for about 1 1/2 years and somehow developed a sensitivity to many fragrances and flowers. Then I really understood what it was like for people with chemical sensitivities. I stopped wearing fragrances in most public locations. Even though it was a sizable part of my personal identity back then, it didn't hurt me significantly to give them up. If I want to wear a fragrance I do it at home with my companion or in a social setting where I know that it is expected. I use a salt crystal for deodorant. It is odorless and prevents B. O. every bit as well as commercial deodorants.