Fragrance chemicals can trigger allergies, asthma and migraines in many people.
According to research, "Overall, 34.7 % of the population reported health problems, such as migraine headaches and respiratory difficulties, when exposed to fragranced products" (Steinemann, 2016). Fragrance overuse at work and school is an indoor air quality issue. It can have medical effects similar to second-hand smoke. Please share this information to increase fragrance sensitivity awareness at home, work and school:
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The Research Links tab above links to available medical journals, and reports and citations from the SlideShare slide show. Share this research with others.
Many people don't realize when they're overdoing fragrances. They may not smell the scent any longer, due to olfactory fatigue or differences in olfactory acuity. Humans share only about half of the same 350 to 400 odor receptors (Bryson, 2019), so perception of fragrances can vary tremendously from person to person. Some people likely don't realize that their fragrance is so strong that it can even permeate face coverings during the pandemic. It's intrusive, and unhealthy in many ways. Most people are reasonable and considerate, and will lessen or stop their use of fragrance when asked. They do not want to purposefully cause medical distress. They understand the etiquette of shared space and personal space. We encourage you to request that others reduce the use of fragranced personal products at gatherings, work and school. See the tab "Build Awareness" above. Here's some wording to try:
We welcome suggestions on diplomatic but direct ways to inform folks that their scents are causing medical distress. Unscented Alternatives: Fragrance-free products are now readily available in most stores. You can also make your own unscented hand soap, laundry detergent, shampoo and moisturizers. Click the Fragrance-free Alternatives tab above for recipes and suggestions for fragrance-free alternatives to try. See if they work for you too! Updated March 2024. |