Did you know there is a growing number of people who become ill from simply running an errand in a store, going to work or attending a family function? Simple tasks that most take for granted can cause this group to become very ill. Even their own homes and work environments can lash out at them.

Why is this happening? The reason is because perfumes and chemicals that linger in the air can make them very sick! Of the “More than 125 million Americans [who] have at least one chronic condition,”¹ many experience problems with asthma, low immunity, autoimmunity and multiple chemical sensitivities.

In fact, “In 1998, it was estimated that 26.3 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma.”² Asthma is a serious respiratory disorder that can constrict and cause swelling of the airways. “The Institute of Medicine placed fragrance in the same category as second hand smoke in triggering asthma in adults and school age children.”³ What’s more, “Up to 72% of asthmatics report their asthma is triggered by fragrance. Asthmatics and others that are negatively impacted by fragrance often have difficulties working, obtaining medical care, and going about activities of daily living because of others' use of scented products.”⁴

Additionally, “According to the AARDA, approximately 50 million Americans [or] 20 percent of the population… suffer from some 80 autoimmune diseases.”⁵ The term, "autoimmune disease" refers to a variety of “chronic illnesses that involve almost every human organ system."⁶ With autoimmunity, “the body's immune system becomes misdirected, attacking the very organs it was designed to protect.”⁷

Furthermore, “Approximately 12.6% of the population suffers from multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), a condition in which they experience reactions from exposure to low concentrations of common chemicals…”⁸ MCS is “…marked by multiple symptoms in multiple organ systems (usually the neurological, immune, respiratory, skin, ‘GI,’ and/or musculoskeletal) that recur chronic-ally in response to multiple chemical exposures. MCS Symptoms commonly include difficulty breathing, sleeping and/or concentrating, memory loss, migraines, nausea, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, aching joints and muscles, and irritated eyes, nose, ears, throat and/or skin. In addition, some with MCS show impaired balance and increased sensitivity not just to odors but also to loud noises, bright lights, touch, extremes of heat and cold, and electromagnetic fields.”⁹

The numbers of Americans battling MCS seem to be rising quickly. Most with MCS tell a story of once being healthy and not effected by fragrances.  “MCS usually starts with either an acute or chronic toxic exposure, after which this initial sensitivity broadens to include many other chemicals and common irritants…”¹⁰ Many experts have found that once a person become reactive to a chemical or toxin, their intolerance is rarely reversible.

For those living with asthma, immune disorders and/or MCS, just going to work, a meeting or an activity may expose them to toxic chemicals that could make them very ill. These reactions are very serious and have changed the lives of millions. Because they have to avoid public situations and even having people in their own homes, they can experience isolation, loneliness, lose their jobs and may even become homebound.

What Toxic Chemicals and Poisons?

Most of us are aware that such things as pollution and car exhaust fumes are not good for us. We even realize that sometimes a work environment, like a lab or factory can be hazardous. However, most do not even think twice when entering a building, automobile or even a home that may contain new paint, car smell, carpet or mold, glue, stain, vinyl upholstery, plastic, rubber, smoke, household cleaners, etc.

What's more, the culprits most of us will never even give a thought to being bothersome are our sweet smelling perfumes, colognes and fragranced products. But aren’t these made from natural ingredients like flowers and herbs? Actually, “Perfume formulations changed sometime around the late 70s and early 80s. Today, they are approximately 95-100% synthetic (man-made).”¹¹ Even seemingly harmless fragrances in our favorite soap, deodorant, lotion, powder, candles, air freshener and laundry products can be full of these toxic substances.

Author Connie Pitts explained, “Perfumes, colognes, and many other scented products contain an abundance of harmful chemicals, many of which are listed on the EPA's Hazardous Waste List. They also include numerous carcinogenic chemicals, neurotoxins, respiratory irritants, solvents, aldehydes, hundreds of untested and unregulated petrochemicals, phthalates (which can act as hormone disrupters), narcotics, and much more.”¹²

For the average person, short term exposures to these environmental, every day household products and perfumes might seem “bothersome” at times, but for others they can be detrimental. Nevertheless, the frightening reality is that even for those who consider themselves healthy and impervious to these substances, breathing these toxins and allowing them to absorb through the skin can still be wreaking havoc to their immune system, cells and organs.  

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What Can We Do?

Because many with asthma, immune disorders and MCS take the chance of becoming ill when they go to work, out to run errands, to a doctor’s office or when attending a gathering, we can all do our part to help.

1)  For our own protection and for the health of others, we should all consider discontinuing the use of products containing toxic perfumes, colognes and fragrances. Some 100% natural essential oils such as mint, grapefruit or orange may be fine, as long as the product does not also contain toxic chemicals. Even if we are perfectly healthy, regular exposure to these toxins could damage our immune and neurological symptoms and/or suddenly cause MCS.

2)   We should ask friends and family members living with chronic illness, immune issues, asthma or MCS what fragrances, lotions, soaps, candles, air fresheners, detergents, cleaning products, etc. they cannot tolerate. When attending an activity together, visiting them in their homes or having them as a guest in ours, we should be especially careful not to use those products.  

3)    For the benefit of all around us, particularly those with immune disorders, when we are sick with a cold or a virus, we should stay home from work or an activity. It is better than infecting several more people, who in turn infect several more people – causing them to miss work, activities and maybe even be hospitalized. If we cannot stay home from work, we should at least steer clear of other people, especially those with immune issues.

 4) When we feel as if we are “coming down with” a virus or are “getting over” one, we are most likely still contagious to someone with a low immune system. We should not go to a function (such as one in a home or office) where someone with immunity issues will be present, unless it is in a very large room in a building (like a church sanctuary or outdoor picnic) and we can stay at least 25 feet away from that person and their family.  

5)   Office or building management can ask the cleaning crew to start using less toxic cleaning products like baking soda, vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, orange oil or environmental products.

6)   Office or building management can create a list of people who are sensitive to chemicals and fragrances. They would then call people on the list when someone paints the walls, shampoos the carpet, replaces the carpet, gets new furniture or uses glues, insecticides, stains, polishes, etc.

7)  We should make our meetings and events Fragrance-Free for all to enjoy.      

     8)  For added protection, a Fragrance-Free Zone can be implemented.

Creating a Fragrance-Free Zone:

A Fragrance-Free Zone is a perfume, cologne, smoke, fragrance and chemical free area, designed for those who become ill from these toxins. Adding a Fragrance-Free Zone can help many in our community work and frequent your building in comfort. However, just creating a "section" is not always the perfect answer.

Because perfumes and fragrances permeate the air and linger in the hallway, bathrooms and lobby, they are not easily contained. “Scented products are volatile substances and get into the air quickly. Once in the air, containment to a defined space is impossible. Further, scented products are designed to diffuse into the air and linger.”¹³ Therefore, we should all consider discontinuing their use for our own protection and that of our family. If not for our own health, we should consider not wearing them to work or around someone who becomes ill when we wear them.

At first glance, we may think there are enough people who struggle with these issues to justify the hassle of providing a Fragrance-Free Zone. However, for every 100 people in America, there is an average of 10 with asthma, 20 with an autoimmune disorder and/or 12.5 with MCS.

Here are basically 3 types of Fragrance-Free Zones we can implement in the office or store:

Fragrance-Free Zone #1: Building Policy. Establish a policy of no perfumes, chemical fragrances, formaldehyde, smoke, petroleum products, pesticides or toxic cleaning products used or worn inside the building. This concept is becoming more and more popular among businesses, doctor’s offices and churches, because it makes it possible for many to work in or visit your building. For added protection, it is good to also have a Fragrance-Free Zone #2 or #3, because new visitors come in and out of the building without knowing not to use these products and even other employees might occasionally forget. This will give these people a safe area to retreat.

Fragrance-Free Zone #2: Separate Room in Workplace. This is a separate room or floor of a building for employees that provides extra protection from stains, glues, formaldehyde, mold, synthetic fragrances, perfume, cologne, smoke and chemical cleaners. It is sealed off with walls, a door to a direct entrance and exit. It also contains a Fragrance-Free break-room and bathroom.

Fragrance-Free Zone #3: Section in Office. This is a simple and quick way to set up a section in the office. Designate several rows of desks just for those with chemical sensitivities. You can post signs to signify that this section is a perfume, cologne, fragrance and smoke free zone. Put this section in an area where they can have easy access to an outside entrance and away from high traffic areas. Again, this is not always an answer to the problem since the perfumes can permeate the air throughout the building. Again, this is not always an answer by itself. If people in the room are using these products, they will still permeate this section. Moreover, those needing the Fragrance-Free Zone won’t be able to access the rest of the office.

Thank you for your cooperation in providing a safer environment, so that millions of people can live better lives, with fewer boundaries!