Awareness is growing about the harmful effects of synthetic, artificial fragrances. This is with good reason, but now, many people have jumped onto the natural fragrance and essential oil (EO) bandwagons, believing them to be safe alternatives.
Is this a good thing?
Some believe so, after all, what could be wrong with something that’s natural?
It’s time to have a closer look.
Posted in Accessibility, Air Quality, Environmental Health, Fragrance, Health, Human Rights
Tagged allergies, asthma, autism, cancer, chemical sensitivity, environmental sensitivities, essential oils, fragrance-free, hazardous air pollutants, hospitals, IAQ, invisible disabilities, MCS, perfume, scent, VOCs
The Province of Ontario’s Ministry of Health and Long Term Care’s long awaited Environmental Health Task Force Interim Report has finally been released!
“We found that, throughout the health care system and in society at large, there is:
•a lack of recognition of the seriousness and severity of these conditions
•a profound shortage of knowledgeable care providers
•a dearth of clinical tools to support and guide care
•a discouraging shortage of services and supports for people living with these conditions
•an absence of support for family caregivers.
The lack of knowledge and appropriate accessible care has devastating effects on Ontarians struggling with ME/CFS, FM and ES/MCS.
…
For those living with ME/CFS, FM and ES/MCS, the lack of recognition of these serious and debilitating conditions is as harmful as the lack of treatments. …
We urge the Minister to act now to raise awareness of these conditions and address the barriers that keep people with ME/CFS, FM and ES/MCS from getting the care and services they need.”
…
From the press release:
Posted in Accessibility, Action, Environmental Health, Health Care, Human Rights, Policy
Tagged AODA, environmental sensitivities, ES/MCS, fibromyalgia, FM, hospitals, invisible disabilities, MCS, MCS/ES, ME/CFS, mental health, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivity, OHIP, Ontario
“I use my mask any time someone comes to my door, when maintenance people come in my home, when a nurse comes to take my blood. In an emergency I have to wear it going to & in the hospital, and any time chemicals infiltrate from outside, like wood smoke, Northern Pulp Mill, lawn mower exhaust, snow blower exhaust, and vehicle exhaust, and laundry products.
I’ve also had to wear it for a few days inside because they used plastic plumbing parts that made me very ill.”
~ Wendy Kearley
Wendy uses a 3M series 7502 silicone half mask with a 60926 filter.
For more info on masks, please see Continue reading
That may seem like a dumb question to people who haven’t been in a hospital, but to the rest of us, including those of us who can’t even go into a hospital in life or death situations, it’s a serious one.
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Check out this TEDMED video where Robin Guenther* discusses connections between health and environmental design, and what she and others are doing to make things different:
The Work-Related Asthma Prevention Program (WRAPP) of the California Department of Public Health released new fact sheets on fragrances and work-related asthma.
Information available:
2017 Fragrances and Work-Related Asthma: Information for Workers (PDF) – fact sheet
2017 Fragrances and Work-Related Asthma: Information for Employers (PDF) – fact sheet
2015 (editable) Workplace Fragrance-Free Policy (Word) – fact sheet
Posted in Air Quality, Chemicals, Environmental Health, Fragrance, Human Rights, Indoor Air Quality, Policy, Public Health
Tagged air freshener, asthma, cleaning products, daycares, fragrance-free, fragrance-free policy, hospitals, laundry, manufacturing, offices, perfume, personal care, resources, retail, schools, work
Seriously "Sensitive" to Pollution 