PSAC Video About MCS

 

The Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) has created a video about MCS and job accommodation featuring Dr John Molot.

Dr Molot PSAC MCS video

Video: Demystifying Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

The woman in the video describes that because her place(s) of employment are not scent-free … “so all of these things, I can (still) go and do them, but I have to accept that I am going to be injured”.

She needs a lawyer!

In Canada, MCS falls under the term Environmental Sensitivities, and is a disability recognized by the Canadian and Ontario Human Rights Codes. As with  other disabilities, people with environmental sensitivities are required by law to be accommodated.

Human Rights resources on various laws, regulations, and solutions that, when enforced, can help people remain employed without losing their health and abilities can be found here:

When Keeping Your Job Depends On What Other People Do

Please note that a disability accommodation policy, such as a fragrance-free policy, if it is not enforced, is not accommodation, and that people can lose their ability to work, their homes, and their lives from continued exposures and the resulting injuries.

Be fragrance-free. It’s good for you! It’s good for me!

6 responses to “PSAC Video About MCS

  1. About fragrances from a new report from the Auditor General of Canada:

    Cosmetics and household products need more safety oversight, watchdog says
    Health Canada not doing enough to protect Canadians from hazardous chemicals in everyday products, audit finds

    http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/environment-watchdog-spring-report-2016-1.3608675

    The audit showed Health Canada does not regularly test cosmetic products to verify the accuracy of product labels or check to see if they contain heavy metals or contaminants.

    It also points out that under the current law, ingredients labelled “parfum,” “aroma,” “fragrance” or “flavour” may include chemicals of concern to human health — but companies aren’t required to tell consumers or Health Canada.

    “Those catch-all terms can conceal a range of potentially hazardous chemicals and this information is not readily available to consumers,” Gelfand told reporters Tuesday, adding that these substances can trigger allergies and asthma, and have been linked to cancer.

    Her report found that Health Canada does not regularly test for prohibited or restricted ingredients in cosmetics, and “cannot assure consumers that these products comply with the Food and Drugs Act and are safe.”

    Nathan Cullen, the NDP’s environment critic, said Health Canada is “short-changing” Canadians on very basic information about the potentially harmful ingredients is cosmetics. “Buyer beware is not a good way to go for Canadian consumers,” he said.

    ‘Fragrance-free’ can be misleading
    The report also points out that products with labels claiming a product is “fragrance-free” or “unscented” may actually contain chemicals to mask the scent, but Health Canada can’t take action unless the label makes a specific claim about health and safety.

    Gelfand’s report said the department should do more product testing and inform consumers that terms like “hypoallergenic” or “unscented” don’t necessarily mean the product is healthy or safe.

  2. If you want to learn more about why so many people are suffering adverse health effects and making a stink about fragrance use, then the recent report from Women’s Voices for the Earth is a great place to get informed

    “Unpacking the Fragrance Industry: Policy Failures, the Trade Secret Myth and Public Health“.

    It’s must read material if you are at all unfamiliar with the issues surrounding fragrance.

    https://lindasepp.wordpress.com/2015/12/16/the-fragrance-industrys-toxic-secrets/

  3. “When people tell me that they don’t believe in chemical sensitivity, my immediate response is to say: medicine is practiced according to science, not according to beliefs, it’s not a religion”

    ~ Dr John Molot, Environmental Health Clinic, Toronto
    PSAC video

  4. PSAC Statement on Scent-Free Environments

    The Public Service Alliance of Canada is committed to ensuring that all members with disabilities are able to effectively participate in order to contribute to the organization’s mandate.

    In this regard, the PSAC recognizes that accessibility is an essential requirement for the participation of members with environmental disabilities.

    In consideration for the health of our Sisters and Brothers who may suffer from environmental disabilities, and with the goal of eliminating a contaminant from the air, the PSAC requests that all participants attending any union function refrain from using scented products. These include scented perfumes, colognes, lotions, hairsprays, deodorants and other products promoted by the fragrance industry.

    A participant who notices a problem is encouraged to address the person in a cordial and respectful manner. Any unresolved issues may be brought to the attention of the organizers who may investigate and attempt to find a reasonable accommodation.

    By working together we can create healthier environments for ALL, and accommodate the needs of persons who have environmental disabilities.

    October 24, 2017

    http://psacunion.ca/psac-statement-scent-free-environments

  5. PSAC 2003
    MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY AT WORK
    Guide for PSAC Members

    Click to access mcsguide2003-e.pdf

  6. 2006 PSAC
    Awareness Kit on Scent-free Environments
    Chemical Sensitivities – Environmental Illness

    Click to access 1018_scent_free_e.pdf

    “This policy should be a complement to our three other publications relating to this issue:
    • PSAC Awareness Kit on Scent-Free Environments(2006)
    • PSAC Booklet on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) at Work(1997)
    • PSAC Duty to Accommodate Booklet: A PSAC Guide for Local Representatives

    A PSAC video entitled “It’s Not in Your Head” was also produced a few years ago. This video offers information on the complexities of MCS and on how to help members suffering from environmental disabilities.”

    (I have personally not found or seen that last video which was mentioned in the 2006 document)

Leave a Reply

Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in:

WordPress.com Logo

You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Log Out /  Change )

Facebook photo

You are commenting using your Facebook account. Log Out /  Change )

Connecting to %s

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.