The above article is fantastic - pointing directly to one of the biggest problems facing people today: distribution of harmful chemicals as the "norm" or proprietary content and the utter lack of concern shown by the government or the general public over essentially what should be considered as mass-poisoning.
I find it truly startling that we are worried about terrorists distributing harmful toxins or utilizing the internet to distribute their harmful messages, and yet show no concern over the abundance of air freshner, candle, or other types of propaganda put out by corporations who essentially don't care if their products are lethal and who distribute their toxins under the guise of everyday household necessity.
I have chemical sensitivities and it has been impossible to determine why some perfurmes/colognes/fragrances cause more severe reactions than others. If the labels were marked it would be easier to find out specifically what I'm reacting to and if the government took more control over these corporations and what they are and are not allowed to distribute among the general public, I might find that my health and that of others would improve exponentially.

I would like to know if these fragrances (chemicals) are harmful becuase they enter the body thru the skin or thru the nose (or both)? I don't use anything frangranced, but good lord my co-workers do, and I hate smelling it. Is smelling it potentially dangerous or just applying it to the skin?

Good question, eram.

If you're smelling it, you're being exposed to the volatile parts of the fragrance - those that come off the skin to give off a smell. You're exposures are lower than those of the person wearing the product, but you're still exposed. Fragrances commonly contain allergens, and some people become so sensitive to fragrance that they find they can't comfortably be in a room with people wearing allergens.

I was thrilled to read this. Now, if I could just get my co-workers & management to understand this isn't a personal affront to them, it's a health issue, well I'd be thrilled. I'm one of 3 women in my department of 19 who all sit in one big open area. Out of 19 women, 15 wear perfume, scented body lotion, etc. and some so strong you can smell them when you get off the elevator and across the room. I've worked here 21 years & through my own research & then confirmed by an environmental illness specialist, I know that I have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. 7 years ago I addressed the group saying I finally figured out why myself & others were hacking like we had bronchitis all the time. We asked them nicely to simply tone it down, saying it wasn't that they smelled bad, it was the chemicals, well without going into the whole stranger than a soap opera story, they got offended, starting wearing more, reapplying it, spraying the carpeting to name just a few crazy reactions to asking them to tone it down. Two of us have been wearing masks w/carbon filters for about a year and a half now, to try to minimize the effects. I'm now researching a respirator to buy because the mask just isn't doing the job. The reactions have "spread" to exhaust fumes, plastics, newspaper, color magazines, laundry detergent. It's true when they say: if it happened to me, it could happen to you. Just because you're not affected now - that you simply think it smells bad, doesn't mean this can't/won't happen to you. No doubt in my mind, this will be the next smoking issue. This has changed our lives in so many ways, not to mention how costly it's been to maintain our health.

Ref. the comment on perfumes, etc. from fellow employees above by Diane on Dec. 6. I too have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and can assure you that your statement about what your co workers did after you asked them to "Tone it down" is grounds for a lawsuit. The precident has already been set. It is a fact that if some one has told another that they have adverse reactions to fragrances and have this proven by a physician, that if the person or persons that they request to refrain from using or limit the use of a fragrance gos out of their way to make it worse or spray more around in the air they can be sued for assault and battery. It has been done and damages awarded.
Sincerely: Dave W.

My mom has MCS and it's awful. Our own family members still use Tide and other scented products. People are ignorant and just don't understand the adverse effects of fragrances. It is appalling that your coworkers would treat you this way.

I would love to know more about the lawsuits. I developed Chemical Sensitivity after construction in my new offices and begged for accommodation for FIVE years. it was promised and never supplied. A whiff of perfume could result in five day paralyzing migraines or blackouts. I finally had to leave my job. I filled an EEOC complaint and nothing has happened. All this so a few people could wear fragrances and impose their stink on everyone around them. Fragrance not only triggers asthma, but also allergies, migraines and Chemical sensitivity. It affects the neurological, respiraoty and reproductive systrems of HEALTHy people. Persoanl fragrance as well as chemical cleaning porducts and "air fresheners" (what a misnomer!) should be banned in the workplace and in public places as they are pollutants of air and water and damage everyone's health-- much as smoking does.

Would Multiple Chemical Sensitivities fall under the Americans with Disabilities Act?  My sister has profound MCS, diagnosed and confirmed by doctors, and her workplace is required to be green in its use of cleaning agents, and any thing at all that she may be exposed to.  This is a tall order, given she's an elementary art teacher in public schools.  But the school district has complied with this. It's taken a lot of educating others on her part; hard work.  However, after the hard work, it's begun to pay off. She's missed fewer days in recent years, by far, as compared to prior to the implementation of the protocols she needs.  The thing is, think of all the hundreds of children who are benefiting from the school district that she's in implementing a green environment.  Those children are so fortunate!

I too, am sensitive to fragrances. I was visiting a (Catholic) church with a friend and, after suffering through some awful-smelling hair pomade from the person in front of me, I finally had to walk out when they began swinging the censor (fragranced smoke!) down the aisle. As I left, I could hear children beginning to cough.

I do have a concern with a general comment about "testing." Millions of animals are subjected to unimaginable torture in laboratories in "testing" that the researchers use to get financial grants for themselves and are usually not only absolutely unnecessary, but do not prove to be relevant to human beings - a completely different species! I could sign your petition if it was worded "non-animal testing."
I can't support the arrogance that believes we have some "right" to subject another species of God's creatures to deliberate torture. (Of course, apparently there are those who believe that "with adequate reason" we even have the right to subject other human beings to torture! All deliberate infliction of suffering is monstrous and sick - perpetrated by arrogant monsters who are missing something vital in their souls.).

I too had a similar experience as Diane. It eventually caused me to go into shock and subsequent hospitalization. Since then I have had several attacks, the last ended up in the coronary care unit. Still, my co-workers prefer their stink to my life. No evidence of health risk will overcome the ever so powerful advertisment machine and through them the chemical corporation.

A sad world we are living in.

Christel

About 3 months ago, I learned about the trouble w/ fragrances and other chemicals in my life from stumbling into webpages like this. Thank goodness! Now I've stopped poisoning myself--and have even learned about homemade, natural household products that work BETTER than the stuff I was purchasing all my life before. Anyway, I'm still trying to get the whole deodorant solution perfected and um.... since I've gone off antiperspants...my boss called me into her office to tell me I smelled and need to try clinical strength antipersperant and perfume. I hate to look like the dirty hippy in the office, but I feel that my odor is at least not poisonous like the odor of all the other women that put air fresheners, lotions, and heavy perfume all over and make me sneeze. Well, all I can do is put on some essential oil and hope no one complains again about me.

This problem is made worse by the fact that I have a hormone problem that makes me sweat more (and by the way, I've also learned since then that women w/my hormone problem are shown to have higher levels of BPA and phalates in their systems. Hmm...so I wonder what caused my problem to begin with?? Um...deodorant? Ironic, huh? Yeah, there's no way I'm putting on the antipersperant again--I just hate to offend others and look unprofessional, but what can I say? I'm not going to make my problem worse.
:(

To Pam. Regarding deodorant. I stopped using regular anti-perspirant deodorants about 12 years ago. Instead I use a natural mineral salt crystal which you dampen with water and gently rub under your arm pits. At first you notice that you perspire more (which is what you are supposed to do anyway, as it is unnatural and not healthy to prevent perspiring), but you get used to this and your body adjusts. Apart from the health benefits of using a crystal your clothes don't get stained and damaged as they do with regular deodorants. I very rarely have any body odour using the crystal. I live in Australia, but I am sure you would be able to source a crystal in other countries.
Since becoming involved with EWG I have replaced all my personal products and household cleaning products with natural ones. Better for me and better for the environment.

It's nice to know there are others out their who have the same probelms as I do. I've been fighting with the management in my office about going scent-free, so far they've gone "Perfume-free" but the women and some men in the office still insist upon using fragrances lotions, hair products, laundry products and soaps. They have me tucked away in an office with a door where I have an air purifier running 24-7. Seems to help but doesn't solve the problem of me going into common areas, including the washroom.

I've been told by our HR person, to tough it out when I'm having a reaction and that I "need to get it under control" despite my explaining to them that my doctor and the allergist I went to bth said the only solution is avoidance since there's no way to tell which chemical I am reacting to.

People really are ignorant when it comes to stuff like this.

I never allowed myself to be exposed to fragrances for very long in the pst so when I had to stay at work and be exposed to them for longer than I ever had before I found out what my full reaction is which includes dizziness, nausea, feeling like I'm going to pass out and my throat swelling (which was very scary when it first happened).

So now I am stuck in my office, out of sight and out of mind, and nothing's been done further to deal with this problem, despite being told something would be. I'm also not the only one who has reactions in this office and not the only one to complain but yet still nothing.

From what I've been told it is a human rights issue in the end. I have the right to work in a healthy and safe work place and my employer has to provide that for ALL its employees. Needless to say I plan on having a talk with my boss again when he gets back from holidays.

They are not "allergens". They are incredibly toxic and dangerous chemicals. There can be up to 500 or more chemicals in just one "fragrance". You are being made ill by the chemical which is toxic. These chemicals have not been tested singly let alone in combination. People are not "allergic" to fragrance chemicals, they are being poisoned by them. Everyone is being affected whether they realize it or not. One person may have burning eyes and a headache and another asthma symptoms, while another may have seizures or lose consciousness. High blood pressure, stomach upset, rashes, numbness and tingling........the list is endless. The widespread use of these unregulated chemicals in fragrance which is now widespread is truly criminal. And there is nothing being done about it.

We are also using Tide but switch to Champion because the smell is much lesser for kitchen purpose. And I'm not aware of those ingredients that named 'fragrance', and this article open my eyes for some unknown harm that might cause something unhealthy for me and my family.

Your skin is yearning for a Natural Body Butter to replenish and rejuvenate tired and overworked skin cells. Whether you have severe dry skin from staying out in the sun too long or aging skin damaged by years of use and abuse. I have found many great products at this site. I hope this helps. http://www.lavanila.com