PSAC Awareness Kit on Scent Free Environments (2006)

PSAC Awareness Kit on Scent-free EnvironmentsChemical Sensitivities – Environmental Illness

Protecting our members

Programs Section I Membership Programs Branch I 2006

Chemical Sensitivities – Environmental Illness �

PSAC Awareness Kit on Scent-Free Environments

PSAC POLICY STATEMENT ON SCENT-FREE ENVIRONMENTS .............................................................................. 3

DID YOU KNOW ................................................................................................................................................... 5

MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY (ENVIRONMENTAL ILLNESS) ......................................................................... 7

FRAGRANCE MATERIALS HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF RELATIVELY SAFE USE ........................................................ 9 Right? ......................................................................................................................................................... 9

The Medical Debate ..................................................................................................................................... 9

EI/MCS – Women And Health..................................................................................................................... 10

Workers’ Compensation Boards ................................................................................................................. 10

Permissible Exposure Limits ..................................................................................................................... 11

CHEMICALS AND PERFUMES ............................................................................................................................ �3 Phthalates ................................................................................................................................................ 13

GREENPEACE INVESTIGATION OF CHEMICALS IN PERFUMES (2005) ............................................................... �7 Chemicals In Perfumes A Health And Environmental Concern .................................................................. 17

Diethyl Phthalate (Dep) And Other Phthalate Esters ................................................................................. 17

Synthetic Musks ........................................................................................................................................ 18

Not Just In A Perfume Bottle ...................................................................................................................... 19

Perfume Pollutes ....................................................................................................................................... 19

Symptoms Provoked By Fragrances ........................................................................................................... 20

RIGHT TO BREATHE FRESH AIR ........................................................................................................................ 2� The Canadian Law .................................................................................................................................... 21

Health Canada Regulations ...................................................................................................................... 21

The U.S. Law ............................................................................................................................................. 22

The European Law ..................................................................................................................................... 22

Table of Contents

Chemical Sensitivities – Environmental Illness2


The Precautionary Principle ....................................................................................................................... 23

Promotion Of The Wingspread Conference On The Precautionary Principle ................................................ 23

The Wingspread Consensus Statement on the Precautionary Principle ..................................................... 24

WORKPLACE AND GOVERNMENT POLICIES ...................................................................................................... 25 Implementing A Scent-Free Policy In Your Workplace ................................................................................ 25

SOME SAFER PRODUCTS .................................................................................................................................. 27

EXAMPLES OF WORKPLACE SCENT-FREE POLICIES ......................................................................................... 29

FOR MORE INFORMATION ................................................................................................................................. 3� Organisations ........................................................................................................................................... 31

Publications, articles and books ............................................................................................................... 31

MAKING SENSE OF SCENTS .............................................................................................................................. 33 Some toxic chemicals found in fragrances ................................................................................................ 33

As Romantic as Hazardous Waste ............................................................................................................. 33

Asthma and Fragrance Chemicals ............................................................................................................ 34

Relevant Facts .......................................................................................................................................... 35

The Health Risks of Twenty Most Common Chemicals Found in

Thirty-One Fragrance Products By a 1991 EPA Study ............................................................................ 36

Principal Chemicals Found in Scented Products ....................................................................................... 36

APPENDIX A: List Of Safer Products ............................................................................................................... 39

APPENDIX B: Example Of An Employer Policy/Advisory ................................................................................. 4� Health Canada .......................................................................................................................................... 41

Industry Canada ....................................................................................................................................... 45

Public Works Government Services Canada .............................................................................................. 47

Dalhousie University ................................................................................................................................. 63

Human Resources And Skills Development ............................................................................................... 67

Chemical Sensitivities – Environmental Illness 3


Many individuals experience various degrees ofphysical effects from exposure to scented products,such as perfumes and colognes. Sometimes, itmightbeaheadacheornauseawhenpassingbyadepartment store’s perfume counter or riding in anelevator with someone wearing a certain fragrance.However,agrowingnumberofpeoplearedevelopingmoreseverereactionstotheseandmanyothertypesofproductsandchemicals.

This condition is known as multiple chemicalsensitivities (MCS) or Environmental Illness (EI).In this Policy, this condition will be referred toas “Environmental Disabilities”. EnvironmentalDisabilitiesaffectpeoplewhohavedevelopedanacutesensitivity to various chemicals in the environment.Persons with these disabilities experience a rangeof debilitating physical reactions, some even life-threatening,tochemicalsusedinavarietyofproducts,including fragrances and personal care products;deodorizers and cleaners; pesticides, wall and floorcoverings;andbuildingmaterials.

It’sacomplexissuewithavarietyoftriggeringagentsandphysicalreactions.Differentpeopleareaffectedbydifferentproductsindifferentways.Thecommonfactor isthephysicalreaction. Itcanbeverystrongandseverelydisabling.

In Canada today, more than one in four individualssuffersfromrespiratorydisease.Atleast40%ofthese

individualsexperienceallergictriggerstotheirdisease.Medicalevidenceclearlyshowsthatscentedproductsare harmful to the health of sensitive individuals.In sufficient concentrations, scented products maybe harmful to those with allergies, environmentalsensitivitiesorchronicheartorlungdiseases.

ThePublicServiceAllianceofCanadaiscommittedtoensuringthatallmemberswithdisabilitiesareabletoeffectivelyparticipateinordertocontributetotheorganization’smandate.

Inthisregard,theAlliancerecognizesthataccessibilityis an essential requirement for the participation ofmemberswithenvironmentaldisabilities.

Inconsiderationforthehealthofourcolleagueswhomaysufferfromenvironmentaldisabilities,andwiththegoalofeliminatingacontaminantfromtheair,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.

We believe that this policy will provide a morecomfortable environment for all and, in the largerschemeofthings,helppromotegreaterawarenessofenvironmentaldisability.

PSAC Policy Statement on Scent-Free Environments



There are many ways to help eliminate workplacebarriers to fellow workers who have environmentaldisabilities and to make it easier for them to workproductively.

Remember that although environmental disabilitiesmay be non-evident, they are required by law to beaccommodatedlikeanyotherdisability.

Thepolicyalsorequiresthat,beforeanyunioneventor function, anyone suffering from environmental disabilities needs to self-identify with those organizing the meeting, course or event.

A participant who notices a problem is requiredto address the person in a cordial and respectfulmanner.Anyunresolvedissueswouldthenbebroughttotheattentionoftheorganizerswhowillinvestigateandattempttofindsuitableaccommodationuptothepointofunduehardship.

Our scent-free policy statement should becommunicatedinadvancetoallparticipants.

By working together we can create healthierenvironmentsforALL,andaccommodatetheneedsofpersonswhohaveenvironmentaldisabilities.

Thispolicyshouldbeacomplementtoourthreeotherpublicationsrelatingtothisissue:

• PSACAwarenessKitonScent-FreeEnvironments(2006)

• PSACBookletonMultipleChemicalSensitivity(MCS)atWork(1997)

• PSACDutytoAccommodateBooklet:APSACGuideforLocalRepresentatives

They are information guides to assist members inunderstandingbettertheissue.

APSACvideoentitled“It’sNotinYourHead”wasalsoproducedafewyearsago.ThisvideooffersinformationonthecomplexitiesofMCSandonhowtohelpmemberssufferingfromenvironmentaldisabilities.

You are encouraged to distribute to all employeescopiesofthesePSACpublications.

(Adopted at the NBoD – January 2006)



DID YOU KNOW

Perfumetodayisnotmadefromflowersbutfromtoxicchemicals.

Morethan4,000chemicalsareusedinfragrances.Ofthese,95%aremadefrompetroleum.

Chemicalspermeatemodernlife.

Thelungisthemajorentryorganforchemicals.

Airbornechemicalsarethemajorsourceofchemicalexposuretoday.

Manychemicalsimpairbrainfunction.

Manybelievecancertobeachemicallycausedepidemic.

No Perfume Means Healthier Air!



Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is basically asubsetofEnvironmentalIllness(EI),whichiscausedbylivinginatoxicworld.

The chemicals that were synthesized after WorldWar II (including, pesticides, synthetic fragrances,cleaning products, detergents, etc.) are mostly“petrochemicals” (petroleum based) and are quitetoxictohumans.Therehavebeenvirtuallynostudiesdoneon themajorityof thesechemicals toseehowthey affect humans. The industry just placed thechemicals in the environment with the assumptionthattheyare“safe,tillproventoxic”, insteadoftheother way around. One of the biggest offenders isPERFUMEandotherscentedproducts.

Did you know that many of the ingredients in yourperfume are the exact same ingredients found inGASOLINE??!!Theycanputanynumberofchemicalsinfragrancewithoutrevealingwhatthosechemicalsareorhowtheyaffecthumans.

EIand/orMCScanbetheresultoflongtermexposureto lowlevelsofhazardoussubstancessuchasdailyexposuretopoorindoorairquality.Itcanalsobeduetochronic,lowlevelexposure,suchasamoveintoabrandnewofficewithsignificantemissionsofvolatileorganic compounds from the building materials,furniture and carpets. Finally it can result from asingle overwhelming exposure such as a chemicalspill.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity(Environmental Illness)



Right?It is true that fragrances have been used forcenturies.However,until the late1860svirtuallyallfragrance materials were obtained from plant andanimal sources. Thoughoften concentrated throughdistillation, the materials contained were close tothatfoundinnature.Noonechemicalwasfoundinisolation.Companionchemicalsfoundtogetheroftenhadsynergisticandmodifyingeffects.

The majority of modern fragrance materials aresynthesized from petroleum products. Many are notfoundinnature.Thereisnolonghistoryofuse.Thematerials thatareobtainedfromplantmaterialareoften extracted as isolates. This means individualchemicalsratherthanthecomplexmixturesfoundinnatureareused.Historyofusenolongerappliesastheactionofindividualchemicalsmaybefardifferentthaninmixtures.

The Medical DebatePhysicians solve problems of human disease byfitting a patient’s symptoms, physical signs andlaboratoryabnormalitiestothetemplateofaknowndiseaseordisorder.Suchdifferentialdiagnosis isapattern-fittingproblemanddepends onahierarchyofsimilaritiesanddifferences.

Public health and environmental enforcementagencies (Department of Labour, Worker’s

CompensationBoards)tendtobe“exposure-driven”;they start with exposure in investigating humanhealth hazards, in contrast to physicians who aredisease-oriented. Statutes and rules enforced focuson chemical agents and established “permissibleexposure limits”. In this type of approach, effectson highly sensitive humans, functioning like thecanaries in coal mines, are examined only afterevaluationoftheexposureevidence.

MCS does not correspond to the classic definitionofanoccupationaldiseasewhichestablishesa linkbetweenaspecificdiseaseandaspecificexposure,asisthecaseofasbestosisandasbestosexposure.Adifferentapproachmustthereforebeusedtostudythedisease.

ThereisnotasingleknownsymptomordefinitetestwhichallowstheidentificationofanMCSdiagnosis.Theonlysureelementaphysiciancanrelyonistheperson’senvironmentalandmedicalhistory,combinedwith routine laboratory tests, which are intended toexcludeotherdiagnoses.

Depending on the specialization of the physicianconsulted, persons with MCS may have to undergodifferent tests in order to medically document theircase,identifythecauseorcausesandthephysiologicaldamageandsymptoms,aswellas todetermineanappropriatetreatment.Thesetestsmayincludeallergytests, differentblood tests, toxic chemical analysis,brainscanandsoon.

Fragrance Materials Have a Long History of Relatively Safe Use

Chemical Sensitivities – Environmental Illness�0


ItisuptotheMCSsufferers,inconsultationwiththeirsupportivephysician,todecidewhichteststheyshouldundergoandwhichtreatmentisthemosthelpful.

The key message is that some chemicals do injurepeopletovaryingdegreeofseverity.Theyaresufferingfromachemicalinjurytothebrain,themostsensitiveorgan for injury from chemicals. Evidence aboundsthatchemicalbrain injury iscommonandgenerallymisdiagnosed.

Physicians are not exactly lining-up to be in theforefrontofthismedicaldebate.Findingasupportivephysicianisessentialbutprobablythemostdifficultchallengeofall.

Aslongasyourdoctorstandsbyyou,theapplicablelegislation, especially human rights legislation andemploymentlaws,willgenerallysupportyourclaim.

What is it about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity thatbringsoutthebestandtheworst inpeople?Simplyput, MCS challenges the way we run our world. Itchallengesthechemicalindustrythewaycancerdidthetobacco industry.Bothbroughttheirproductstomarketbeforetheirsafetywasestablishedandbothhavetofacethefactthattheseproductsarenot,andneverwillbe,safe.

EI/MCS – Women And HealthA recent reviewof several studies revealedahighlyconsistentratioofwomentomenofapproximately4:1,withanaverageageofonsetinthefourthdecade.

It’sawellestablishedfactthatmedicalresearchhashistoricallyfocusedonmen.Historically,womenhavenot been treated kindly by the established medicalprofessionashealth-careprovidersorassubjectsofmedical research. In fact, when researchers look at

diseasesaffectingbothmenandwomen,manystudyonlymalesandlaterapplytheresultstowomen.

Permissibleexposure limitsareoftenestablished inthesamemanner.Synergisticpropertiesofchemicalsusedincombinationwitheachotherarenotwellknownand most experts can only extrapolate acceptablehumanexposure.

Workers’ Compensation BoardsWorkers’ Compensation Boards have been veryreluctant inapprovingthesetypesofcases.Makingthelinkbetweenoccupationalexposure,theonsetofsymptomsandtheseverityoftheillnessiscommonlydifficult in almost every case, but this is especiallytruewithEI/MCS.

Compensation authorities determine whether adisabling condition is the result of an occupationaldisease,basedonthemedicalandemployerreports.Benefits to be provided are determined accordingly.Up to now, most (if not all) MCS claims have beendeniedbyWCBatthefirstlevelofdecisionbutsomememberswithMCShavewonappealsatthetribunalstage.

Thechronicexposureto“subtoxic”concentrationsandanypermanentdisabilityawardwillprovetobeverydifficult toprove to the satisfactionofanyWorkers’CompensationBoard.

Chemical Sensitivities – Environmental Illness ��


Permissible Exposure LimitsMostenvironmental testsareexposure-drivenbasedonpermissibleexposurelimitsforspecificchemicals.Thisapproachinvolveslimitationsoftenignoredbythepublic.Forexample,indoorairqualityexpertsoftenusethe expression: “Human health effect would appearto be minimal”. This statement can be misleading.Considerthefollowingexceptions:

• Occupationalexposurelimitsexisttoserveonemainpurpose:protectworkersfromexcessiveexposuretotoxicchemicalsintheworkplace.

• Theyweredesignedforhealthyadults,usuallyforexposuredurationofaday'sworkshift–8hours.

• Theywerenotmeanttobeusedforprotectionofthepublic,sincethegeneralpublicincludessensitivegroupssuchastheveryyoungandveryold,peoplewithrespiratorydiseasesandotherillnesses,andpeoplewhoarehypersensitivetosomechemicals.

• Occupationalexposurelimitswerealsonotdesignedtocomparetoxicityofchemicals,ortobethefinelinebetween"safe"and"unsafe."

• Mostofthetestingforpermissibleexposurelimitsisdoneusingveryfewwomen(ifany)andtestsubjectsareoftenyoung.

• Someresearcherscontendthatcertainchemicalscanaffectimmunity,significantlyincreasinganindividual'ssusceptibilitytodisease,insomecasescausinghypersensitivityreactions,autoimmunity,orimmunosuppression.

• Age,genetics,pre-existingdisease,lifestyle,diet,drugs,orstressmaycompoundtheeffectsofchemicalexposurestofurthercompromiseimmunefunctionandincreasethechanceofdiseaseincludingchemicalsensitivities.

• EI/MCSvictimssufferfromadisordermostoftenassociatedwiththeimmunesystemandcharacterizedbymulti-organsymptomsinresponsetolowlevelchemicalexposuresthatareconsideredsafeforthegeneralpopulation(“subtoxic"concentrations).

Chemical Sensitivities – Environmental Illness �3


PhthalatesArecent2003U.S.studyestablishedthatagroupofcommonchemicalsfoundinindoorair,someperfumesand plastic materials may be more prevalent anddangerous than previously thought especially withpregnantwomenandinfants.

Newresearchon thesubstances,calledphthalates,finds that at least one type candisrupt thehumanhormonesystem.Itcouldputpregnantwomenatriskfor delivering premature babies, damaging sperminsomemen,andharming reproductivesystemsofchildren.

Recentstudiesalsorefutethenotionthathumansareonly exposed to phthalates orally; the studies haveestablished that indoor exposure to the chemical ismore widespread than previously thought and thatmodestlevelsofsomephthalatescanbeharmful.

A recent study concluded that an average personconsumes5.8milligramsofphthalatesdaily.Thatisalmostamilligramhigherthantheacceptabledailydose assigned by the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency.

Becausephthalateshavebeendetectedinsubstantialdosesinthehumanbody,theyarenowamongthemostclosely studied chemicals. Concern over phthalatesandtheirhealtheffectshasbeensostrongthatthechemicalhasbeenbannedfromthemanufactureofmany toys in Europe, with some toy makers in theUnitedStatesfollowingsuit.

InCanada,theHealthCanadaCosmeticNotificationSystem serves as a watchdog which ensures thatcosmetic products sold in Canada do not containdibutylphthalate(DBP)inexcessof10%.FollowingevaluationunderCEPA(theCanadian Environmental Protection Act), the Ministers of Health andEnvironmenthavedeclaredthissubstancenontoxictohumanhealthandtheenvironment.

Phthalates are one of the most ubiquitous man made substances in the environment. They are found in everything from vinyl flooring to cosmetics and toys. Their popularity stems from the fact that the chemical’s molecules easily slip and slide past each other, making the materials pliable.

Chemicals and Perfumes



Furthermore, the Cosmetic Ingredient ReviewPanel, an independent American Expert ScientificCommittee, concluded in 1985 that DBP is safefor topical application when used in cosmetics atconcentrationsoflessthan10%.InNovember2000,the European Chemical Bureau of the EuropeanCommissionidentifiednoconcernforconsumersusingDBPproductsundercurrentlyapplied risk reductionmeasures. Based on these, Health Canada sees noreason to stop using cosmetic products containingDBPandboughtinCanada.

Inafollow-upstudy,HealthCanadaconfirmedthat,on the basis of available data, dibutyl phthalateis not entering the environment in a quantity orconcentrationorunderconditionsthatmayconstituteadangertohumanlifeorhealth.

Others DisagreeThree studies, published in 2003 by the NationalInstitute ofEnvironmentHealthSciences,measuredtheeffectsofphthalateexposureinhumans.

Onestudyfoundthatphthalateexposureinfoetusesmay contribute toprematurebirth.Of84 infants inthatstudy,scientistsfound88percenthadphthalatesin their blood. The study also cited reports that aparticularkindofphthalate–diethylhexylphthalateorDEHP–caninflametheuterusofexpectantmothers.

A second study showed that adult men are also atrisk from phthalate exposure. The study found acorrelationbetweenphthalateexposureanddamagedDNAinspermin168menstudiedatthefertilityclinicatMassachusettsGeneralHospital.

A third study, released last November, establishedthatallwomenwhoparticipatedinaphthalatestudyshowedtracesofthechemicalintheirurineandthatexposurecamethroughinhalation.

Aseparatestudy,bytheSilentSpringInstitute,whichsoughttofindoutwhybreast-cancerratesarehigheronCapeCod than in other parts ofMassachusetts,established that phthalates were present in highconcentrations in the indoor air of all 120 homestested.

Thosestudiescounterthegenerallyheldbeliefamongscientiststhathumansonlyingestphthalatesorally,topicallyorthroughsomemedicalprocedures.

DEHP, the most toxic form of phthalate, has beenfound inhighconcentrations inmedical tubingandintravenous bags. DEHP is well known for leachingfromthetubing,especiallywhencomingintocontactwithliquidsthathaveahighfatcontent.

Studies on what happens to the reproductivedevelopment in infants who have been exposed tophthalatesarefew.Scientistsarejustnowbeginningtograpplewiththefactthat,insomecases,phthalateexposuremayhavelittleeffectonaparentbutmaycause abnormalities in the reproductive organs oftheirmalechildren.Somescientistswerequotedassaying: “We simply don’t know if the children arebeingharmed”.

DEHPphthalatesarecommonlyfoundinperfumeandfragrances,accordingtoananalysispublishedbytheEnvironment Working Group, a non-profit researchorganization based in Washington, D.C., that hasstudiedthechemical.



Phthalatesareusedinfragrancestomakethemlastlonger,althoughconsumerswillnotfindthechemicallistedonfragrancepackagingsincetheU.S.FoodandDrugAdministrationdoesnotrequiremanufacturerstolistphthalateasaningredient.DEHPuseinfragranceswasbannedbytheEuropeanUnionin2000.

Thephthalatesgroupofchemicalsissowidelyusedincosmeticproductsthattheywerefoundin52of72productstested,including9of14deodorantsand6of7hairgelstestedinthepublishedstudy.Despitetherecentstudies,scientistsagreethatmoreresearchneedstobedoneontheeffectofphthalatesonhumans.

Chemical industry scientists say phthalates aresafeandexistwellwithinacceptablelevelsinmostproducts. They claim that phthalates have beenused for 50 years with no health concerns. In fact,phthalates have been a blessing to the medicalindustry for allowing easier use of blood bags andbloodtransfusions–usethatwasoncehinderedbythefragilityofglass.

Wecanexpectwide-rangingstudiesontheeffectsofphthalatesoverthenextfewyears.



The goal of Greenpeace International investigationwastoquantifytheuseoftwogroupsofchemicals–phthalatesandsyntheticmusks–inarandomselectionof perfume brands. Greenpeace commissioned alaboratorytotest36brandsofeaudetoiletteandeaudeparfumforlevelsofthetwochemicalgroups.

Theresultsconfirmthatsomesyntheticmusks,mostnotably thepolycyclicmusksgalaxolide (HHCB)andtonalide (AHTN), and some phthalates, especiallydiethylphthalate(DEP),arewidelyusedbytheperfumeindustry.Thissuggeststhatregularuseofperfumescould substantially contribute to individuals’ dailyexposure to these chemicals, some of which havealreadybeenrecordedascontaminantsinbloodandbreastmilk.Furthermore,thereisincreasingevidenceofpotentialendocrine-disruptingpropertiesforcertainmuskcompounds.

In this context, these results reinforce the need forlegislationthatwilldrivethereplacementofhazardoussubstanceswithsaferalternatives.

Chemicals In Perfumes A Health And Environmental ConcernTwo groups of hazardous or potentially hazardouschemicals commonly used in perfumes and otherpersonalcareproductsarephthalateesters,commonlyknownasphthalates,andsynthetic(artificialorman-made)musks.Asaconsequenceoftheextensiveandhigh-volumeuseofthesechemicalsinproducts,they

have become widely distributed through both thenaturalandtheurbanenvironment.

The ubiquitous presence of synthetic musks andphthalates in the environment and in consumerproducts,manyofwhichareveryslowtobreakdown,results in continuous background exposures withunknownlong-termconsequences.Atthesametime,personal care products that we apply to our skin,includingperfumes,provideadirectrouteofrepeatedexposure to relatively concentrated doses and maybeexpectedtocontributesubstantiallytoouroverallexposuretothesechemicals.

Although data remain limited, there is evidence tosuggestthatthephthalatesandsyntheticmusksincommonusemaypresentuswithdiversehealthandenvironmentalhazards.Newevidenceisemergingallthetime.

Diethyl Phthalate (DEP) And Other Phthalate EstersDiethylphthalate(DEP)isoneofmanyphthalateestersincommonuse.Itisusedinparticularinawiderangeofcosmeticandotherpersonalcareproducts,primarilyas a solvent and vehicle for fragrances and othercosmetic ingredients and as an alcohol denaturant[making the alcohol unfit to drink] (SCCNFP 2003).AlthoughDEPhasgenerallybeenconsideredashavingalowoveralltoxicityanddoesnotappeartoexhibitthesamelevelofreproductivetoxicitydisplayedbycertain

Greenpeace Investigation of Chemicals in Perfumes (2005)



other phthalates (notably DEHP), newly emergingevidence raises significant concerns regarding itssafety.

Given their widespread use in consumer goods,exposuretophthalatescanoccurthroughavarietyofroutes (Koo etal. 2002, Frommeetal. 2004). SinceDEPisaningredientofperfumesandotherpersonalcare products, it appears that inhalation may bea significant route of exposure (Adibi et al. 2003).Absorption through the skin is also likely to be acontributoryfactor.

AlthoughDEPisrapidlymetabolisedinthehumanbodyto itsmonoester form (MEP)anddoesnotappear toaccumulateintissues,itisclearthatwhenappliedtotheskinDEPrapidlypenetratesitandbecomeswidelydistributed around the body following each exposure(WHO2003).MEPhasbeenreportedatupto30timeshigherconcentrationsinhumanurinethanmetabolitesofanyotherphthalateester(Dutyetal.2003).

Onestudy(Silvaetal.2004)hasrecentlyshownthat,whereaslevelsofcertainotherphthalatemetabolitesexcretedintheurinearegenerallyhigherinchildrenthaninadults,levelsofMEParecommonlytwiceashighinyoungadultsastheyareinchildren,withthehighest levels of all in women, possibly reflectingdifferences in frequency of use of personal careproducts,suchashaircareproducts,cosmeticsandperfumes.

Thelong-termeffectsofsuchrepeateddirectexposuretoDEParenotwellunderstood.However,somerecentevidenceindicatesthatchangestotheDNAofspermcellsaremoreprevalentinindividualswhoalsoshowhigh levels ofMEP in theirurine (Duty etal.2003);furtherstudiesarenecessarytodetermineifthereisacausalrelationship.

Morerecentlystill,researchhasidentifiedapossiblelinkbetweenexposuretotwophthalatemetabolites,namely MEP and MBP (monobutyl phthalate),measured in urine samples, and restricted lungfunctioninadultmen(Hoppinetal.2004).

Anumberofotherphthalatesidentifiedintheperfumesamples,albeitatfarlowerlevelsthanDEP,arealsooftoxicologicalconcern.Ofparticularnotearedibutylphthalate (DBP) and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP),both of which are classified in the EU as toxic toreproduction(Category2)(EU2003).

Synthetic MusksSyntheticmusksareman-madearomaticcompoundsthat are used in place of more expensive naturalmusks. They are added to many everyday products,including laundry detergents, air fresheners, handcreams,soapsandperfumes(OSPAR2004).

The term synthetic musks encompass three broadchemical groups: nitromusks, polycyclic musks andmacrocyclic musks. Due to toxicological concerns,nitromuskproductionhasbeenindeclineinEuropeforanumberofyears.Onlytwonitromusksareofimportancetoday:muskxylene(MX)andmuskketone(MK).These,along with two polycyclic musks, galaxolide (HHCB)andtonalide(AHTN)accountfor95%oftheEuropeanmarketforsyntheticmusks(OSPAR2004).

Synthetic musks are environmentally persistentchemicals and, as a consequence of this and theirextensive use in products, have become widelydistributedintheenvironment,especiallyinaquaticand marine systems (Eschke 2004, Leonards andde Boer 2004, Bester et al. 1998) but also in theatmosphere (Peters 2003) and inside buildings(KallenbornandGatermann2004).



AstudycommissionedbyGreenpeaceNetherlandsofchemicalsinrainwaterwithintheNetherlandsfoundsyntheticmuskcompounds invirtuallyall rainwatersamples(Peters2003).WhileHHCBwasfoundtobedistributed fairly evenly, there was a clear peak inlevelsofAHTNinthecentreofthecountry.Thispeakcoincided with the location of a chemical companythatproducessyntheticmuskcompounds.

Significantly, the nitromusk musk ambrette (MA),which has been banned in the EU since 1995, wasfound at 34% of the rainwater collection points,suggestinglong-termenvironmentalpersistence.

Synthetic musks can concentrate in living tissues;indeed, musks used in perfumes have also beenfound contaminating human blood and breast milk(Rimkus and Wolf 1996, Peters 2004). There isincreasingevidenceemergingthatsomenitromusksand polycyclic musks, including those commonlyusedinperfumes,maybecapable(eitherasparentcompounds or as metabolites) of interfering withhormonecommunicationsystemsinfish(Schreursetal. 2004), amphibians (Dietrich and Hitzfeld 2004)and mammals (Bitsch et al. 2002, Schreurs et al.2002),andmayexacerbatetheeffectsofexposuretoothertoxicchemicals(Smitaletal.2004).

Although the estrogenic activity exhibited by HHCBand AHTN in mammals is relatively weak, anti-estrogeniceffectshavebeenobserved for thesamecompounds at concentrations more than 100 timeslower(Schreursetal.2002).StatisticalassociationshavebeenreportedbetweenMXandMKlevelsintheblood and the occurrence of certain gynaecologicalconditionsinwomen(Eisenhardtetal.2001),thoughacausalrelationshiphasnotbeenestablished.

Perfumes may bring us pleasure, but we couldenjoy them even more if we knew they were free ofsubstancesthatcouldbuildupintheenvironmentandinourbodiesandevenhavethepotentialtoaffectourhealth.Consumerswishingtoavoidthesesubstancesfaceadifficulttask,sincemanufacturersrarelylabelphthalatesandsyntheticmusksonthepackaging.

Not Just In A Perfume BottleThereisadramaticincreaseinpeoplewhoaremadesick by fragrances because so many products arenow scented. Babies and children are even morevulnerable, as are people who are trying to recoverfromcancerandotherillnesses.

Chemical fragrances are present in most laundrydetergents, fabric softeners, anti-cling products,dishwashingliquids,disinfectants,soaps,shampoosand other hair products, deodorants, cosmetics,suntan/sunscreen lotions, aftershaves, colognes,incense, analgesic creams, and lip balms. Evenproducts marked “unscented” often are falselylabelledandactuallycontaintoxicfragrances.

Perfume PollutesUsingenvironmentallysafeproductsisasimportantas recycling. If everyone stopped buying unsafe,chemically-scentedproducts,companieswouldstopmakingthem,endingalotofunnecessarypollution.

Perfumes may bring us pleasure, but we could enjoy them even more if we knew they were free of substances that could build up in the environment and in our bodies and even have the potential to affect our health.



Symptoms Provoked By FragrancesWatery or dry eyes, double vision, sneezing, nasalcongestion, sinusitis, tinnitus, ear pain, dizziness,vertigo, coughing, bronchitis, difficulty breathing,difficultyswallowing,asthma,anaphylaxis,headaches,seizures,fatigue,confusion,disorientation,incoherence,short-term memory loss, inability to concentrate,nausea,lethargy,anxiety,irritability,depression,moodswings,restlessness,rashes,hives,eczema,flushing,muscle and joint pain, muscle weakness, irregularheartbeat,hypertension, swollen lymphglands,andmore.(CandidaResearchandInformationFoundation,PerfumeSurvey,Winter1989-90)

Chemical Sensitivities – Environmental Illness 2�


The Canadian LawTheCanadianHumanRightsCommissionhasneveraddressedinanyoftheirdecisionsanissueinvolvingguarantied access to public buildings for personswithdisabilitieswhosufferfromMCS/EI.

Canadianpostalregulationsdolimitthecommercialdistribution of scented products. Scented samplesmust be packaged and sealed in a manner thatprevents the scent from escaping. When mailed inlargequantities,scentedsamples,andothersimilaritems,mustbeplacedinasealedcontainer,suchasan envelope. The container must prevent the scentfrom escaping. Canada Post considers perfume asa dangerous good (flammable liquid) and thereforeprohibitsthemfromthemailstream.

Health Canada RegulationsAfteryearsofwaiting,thefederalgovernmentformallypublished on December 1st, 2004, regulations thatwill require mandatory ingredient labelling for allcosmeticproductssoldinCanada.

Thenewregulations,whichcallforfullcompliancebyNov.18,2006,willlikelyseecosmeticmanufacturersphaseinpackagelabellingoverthenext24months.TheregulationswereintroducedbyHealthCanadaasamendmentstotheexistingCosmeticRegulationsandwillcovermostproducts,suchaslipstick,shampoo,fragrances,makeupandhaircolouring.Theywillnot

cover products such as toothpaste and sunscreens,whichareconsidereddrugproducts,aswellasmanynaturalhealthproducts.

In announcing the changes, Health Canadaacknowledged that there had been hundreds ofrequestsovertheyearstoextendingredientlabellingto cosmetics, as well as numerous complaints frompeoplewhohadexperiencedseriousallergicreactionstoundisclosedingredients.

HealthCanadaestimatesthatsome10,000chemicalsareusedinthecosmeticsindustry,whichhassalesinCanada of over $5.3 billion annually. Many of thosechemicalshavenotbeentestedfortheirhumanhealtheffects,althoughmanyhaveandcontinuetobeuseddespitepotentiallytoxiceffects.

Thenewcosmeticslabelswillrequiresomewarningsforpossibleacutereactions,suchaswithhaircolouringproducts containingcoal tarderivatives.Consumersmust be cautioned that the ingredient could causeskinreactionsandadvisedtotestitbeforehand.

Under the regulations, ingredients include “anysubstancethatisoneofthecomponentsofacosmetic,includingcolouringagents,botanicals,fragranceandflavour.” All ingredients over one per cent are to belisted in descending order of percentage content,whilethosebelowonepercentcanbelistedinrandomorder.

Right to Breathe Fresh Air



Chemical ingredients will be identified using theInternational Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients(INCI),asystemdevelopedbythecosmeticsindustryandalready inuse in theU.S., theEuropeanUnion,Japan,andothercountries.

Still, many other jurisdictions have moved muchfartheraheadthanCanadainthattime,inlabellingrequirements, prior testing of ingredients andrestrictionsoningredientsthatmaybeused.

Forexample,independenttestingtwoyearsagointheEUfoundthatdozensofcosmeticproductscontainedphthalates, even though phthalates were not listedamong the ingredientson the label.Since then, theEUhasmovedtobanphthalates,manyofwhichareendocrinedisruptors,fromcosmeticproducts.

The labelling regulations have been a long timein coming. Many unions along with health andenvironmental organizations have repeatedlyemphasizedtheneedforfulldisclosureofingredients,aspartofthepublic’srighttoknowwhatchemicalsthey’rebeingexposedto.

We would now like to see the same disclosurerequirements extended to all consumer cleaningproducts. We also believe there is a need to providea warning on the label when a product contains aknown or suspect carcinogen (presently in place inCalifornia).

Beware ofproducts like cleanersandair freshenerssold to the general public (in grocery or hardwarestores)thatrequire“consumerlabelling”only.Theselabelsfocusonimmediatehazardssuchascorrosion,explosion, fire and poison. Only certain ingredientswillbelistedonthepackageorproduct.Tofindoutalloftheingredientsintheproduct,itmaybenecessarytocontactthemanufacturerdirectly.

The U.S. LawTheAmericanswithDisabilitiesActof1992guaranteesaccessofdisabledtoinstitutions,suchasgovernmentagencies, libraries, doctor’s offices, retail stores,and many others. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity/Environmental Illness (MCS/EI) is recognized as adisability by The Social Security Administration andTheDepartmentofHousingandUrbanDevelopment.Fragrances are a “barrier to access” to MCS/EIdisabled,sincebreathingisaffected.Breathingisa“majorlifeactivity”asdefinedbytheADA.Fragrancebansmeet the “reasonableaccommodation” clauseoftheADA,sinceeliminationandsubstitutionarenotexpensive.

U.S. Postal Regulations state that fragrance stripsfor mailing “cannot be activated except by openingagluedflaporbinderorbyremovinganoverlyingplyofpaper.”

CaliforniaAB2709(asofJanuary1.1992)statesthat“fragrancescontained inanynewspaper,magazine,or other periodically-printed material, published oroffered for sale, or contained in any advertisement(mailed or otherwise distributed) shall be enclosedin a sealant sufficient to protect a consumer frominadvertent exposure to the cosmetic including, butnotlimitedto,theinadvertentinhalationthereof.”

The European LawExistingEUlegislationprovidesonlypartialprotectionfrom the chemicals used in cosmetics, includingperfume products. The EU Cosmetics Directive(76/768/EEC) restricts theuse incosmeticproductsof chemicals that are classified as carcinogenic,mutagenicortoxictoreproduction.



However,theDirective:• doesnotpreventtheuseofchemicalsof

equivalentconcern,suchasendocrinedisruptors;

• failstoaddressexposurearisingfromtheenvironmentaldistributionofthechemicalsusedinthemanufactureofcosmeticproducts,orfromtheuseanddisposaloftheseproducts;

• lacksanyauthorisationprocedurethatwouldrequiremanufacturerstoadoptapolicyofprecautionortoseeksystematicsolutionstophaseoutandreplaceundesirablechemicalgroups.

Elected members of the European Parliament andministersofEUgovernmentsaredebatinglegislationthat has the potential to protect EU citizens fromexposuretohazardouschemicals.

TheproposedEUchemicalsreformknownasREACH(Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation ofChemicals), has the potential to set in motion anauthorisation process that would require the phaseout and substitution of hazardous chemicals, inparticular‘substancesofhighconcern’whichdisplaypropertiesthatmayharmourhealthandenvironment.This includes chemicals that are persistent,bioaccumulativeand toxic (PBT)and those thatarevery persistent and very bioaccumulative (vPvB),chemicals that have the potential to cause cancer,reproductivedamageorgiverisetogeneticmutations(CMR) and chemicals that can affect the hormonalsystem(endocrinedisruptors).

While it remainstobeseenwhetherphthalatesandsyntheticmuskswillultimatelybeofficiallyidentifiedas“chemicalsofveryhighconcern”underREACH,theemerging evidence of hazardous properties outlinedaboveclearlygivesgroundsfortheirconsideration.

The Precautionary PrincipleThe PSAC has promoted within health, safety andenvironmentallegislationtheneedtouseprecautionaryprinciple.ThisconceptisincludedspecificallyinthePSACEnvironmentPolicy.

Thisprincipleshouldbeappliedforallactivitiesbothinsidetheworkplaceandintheoutsideenvironment.

Promotion Of The Wingspread Conference On The Precautionary PrincipleWhat is the Precautionary Principle?“When an activity raises threats of harm to theenvironmentorhumanhealth,precautionarymeasuresshould be taken even if some cause and effectrelationshipsarenotfullyestablishedscientifically.”Wingspread Statement on the Precautionary Principle, Jan. 1998

What was the Wingspread Conference?In January 1998, at an historic gathering atWingspread,headquartersoftheJohnsonFoundation,scientists, philosophers, lawyers and environmentalactivists, reached agreement on the necessity ofthe Precautionary Principle in public health andenvironmental decision-making. The key element oftheprincipleisthatitincitesustotakeanticipatoryactionintheabsenceofscientificcertainty.

At the conclusion of the three-day conference,the diverse group issued a statement calling forgovernment,corporations,communitiesandscientiststoimplementthe“precautionaryprinciple”inmakingdecisions.



The 32 conference participants included treatynegotiators, activists, scholars and scientists fromtheUnitedStates,CanadaandEurope.Theconferencewas called to define and discuss implementing theprecautionaryprinciple,whichhasbeenusedasthebasisforagrowingnumberofinternationalagreements.The idea of precaution underpins some U.S. policy,such as the requirement for environmental impactstatementsbeforemajorprojectsarelaunchedusingfederalfunds.Butmostexistinglawsandregulationsfocusoncleaningupandcontrollingdamageratherthan preventing it. The group concluded that thesepolicies do not sufficiently protect people and thenaturalworld.

Participantsnotedthatcurrentpoliciessuchasriskassessmentandcost-benefitanalysisgivethebenefitofthedoubttonewproductsandtechnologies,whichmay laterproveharmful.Andwhendamageoccurs,victims and their advocates have the difficult taskofprovingthataproductoractivitywasresponsible.Theprecautionaryprincipleshiftstheburdenofproof,insistingthatthoseresponsibleforanactivitymustvouchforitsharmlessnessandbeheldresponsibleifdamageoccurs.The issuesofscientificuncertainty,economics, environmental and public healthprotectionwhichareembeddedintheprinciplemakethisextremelycomplex.

The Wingspread Consensus Statement on the Precautionary Principle“The release and use of toxic substances, the exploitation of resources, and physical alterations of the environment have had substantial unintended consequences affecting human health and the environment. Some of these concerns are high rates of learning deficiencies, asthma, cancer, birth defects

and species extinctions; along with global climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion and worldwide contamination with toxic substances and nuclear materials.

We believe existing environmental regulations and other decisions, particularly those based on risk assessment, have failed to protect adequately human health and the environment – the larger system of which humans are but a part.

We believe there is compelling evidence that damage to humans and the worldwide environment is of such magnitude and seriousness that new principles for conducting human activities are necessary.

While we realize that human activities may involve hazards, people must proceed more carefully than has been the case in recent history. Corporations, government entities, organizations, communities, scientists and other individuals must adopt a precautionary approach to all human endeavours.

Therefore, it is necessary to implement the Precautionary Principle: When an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically.

The process of applying the Precautionary Principle must be open, informed and democratic and must include potentially affected parties. It must also involve an examination of the full range of alternatives, including no action.”



Someemployers,inanattempttominimizeworkplaceexposure to perfumes and other scented products,haveendorsedworkplacepolicies.Althoughonlyafewnumberofemployershaveendorsedscent-freepolicies,theyareagoodtoolthatnotonlylimitscontaminationoftheindoorairqualitybutalsoincreasesawarenessofworkersontheissueofchemicalsensitivitiesandenvironmentalillness.

What was first an attempt to accommodate in theworkplaceachemicallysensitiveworkerisnowbeingdoneto reduceworkplaceexposuretoperfumesandscentedproductsforallworkers.EventheprovinceofNovaScotiahasestablishedascent-freeenvironmentinpublicbuildings.Thescent-freemovementinthatprovince has spread through hospitals, schools,churches, restaurants and public transportation.Therearenobylawsbackingthecampaignyet,butitseemstobegainingmomentum.

Implementing A Scent-Free Policy In Your WorkplaceIn accommodation someone with environmentalillness,theneedtoestablishascent-freepolicywilllikelyberequired.Inestablishingyourpolicy,considerthefollowingsuggestions:

Workplace and Government Policies

• BecomefamiliarwiththeworkplacesofallthemembersofyourLocal,andgatherinformationabouttheirrespectiveworkplacehazards.Surveythememberstofindouttheextentoftheproblem.Atthisstage,non-specificsymptomscanbedocumented.

• Collectopinionsandsuggestionsatthesametimetohelpyoudevelopapolicyappropriatetoyourworkplace.

• Ifyouworkinaplacewherehazardoussubstancesarebeingusedorina"sealedbuilding"withpoorindoorairquality,thePSACWorkplaceDailyHealthDiarymaybeausefultooltodocumenttheeffectsofknownandunknownhazards.

• Ensurefullparticipationofthepolicyandworkplacehealthandsafetycommittees.

• EncourageallmemberstoprovidetheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyCommittees(WHSC)withinformationonhazardstheybecomeawareof.

• Youmustsecureafirmcommitmentfrommanagementrightatthebeginningofthisproject.

• Setandsticktodeadlinesforcreatingadraftpolicy,areviewofthepolicy,andforimplementation.



• Monitortheprogram,thepolicyandanyprocedures.Consultwithyourco-workers.Theyareinthebestpositiontoevaluatethesuccessofthepolicy.

• Makesurethatallworkersreceivetheappropriatetraining,asrequiredbythelawsespeciallyconcerningWorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem(WHMIS)requirements.

• ReviewallMaterialSafetyDataSheetsfortheproductscurrentlyusedandforthoseyouareconsideringusing.Makesurethattheingredientsareacceptable.

• Educateallemployees(managementandunion).Youmaychoosetoincludebrochuresorflyersinpayrollenvelopes,publisharticlesinvariousnewsletters,orgivepresentations.Inanycase,thegoalistoinformallemployeesofthehealthconcernsrelatedtoscentsandwhythepolicyisneeded.

• Addressanyconcernstheemployeesraiseopenlyandhonestly.Reinforcetheideathatthispolicyisbeingimplementedasaresultofmedicalconcerns-notmerelybecauseofadislikeforacertainsmell.

• Makeitclearthatthepolicyappliestoeveryone(includingvisitors,patients,etc).

• Searchlocallegislationforanysupportingdocumentationincludingcitybylaws,regionalinitiatives,provincial/territorialinitiatives,etc.

• Donotlimitthescentfreepolicytoperfumesandcolognes.Aslistedabove,manycleaningandpersonalcareproductsalsohavescents.

• Postalistof"approved"unscentedproductsandwheretheyareavailablelocally.

• Requesttheconductofspecifictrialsinlimitedareasbeforerecommendingthepurchasingoflargequantitiesofaproduct.

• Ensurethattheemployerispostingnoticesthatwaxing,shampooing,painting,orspraying(etc)willbeconductedatleastoneweekbeforehandsothataffectedworkerscanmakearrangementsorhavetheirdutiesmodifiedduringthattime.

• Ensurethatthepostingofashortpolicystatementisonallappointmentcards,stationery,roombookingnotices,employmentpostings,etc.

• Decideonwordingfor'ScentFree'signsandwherethesignswillbeposted.

• Leteveryoneknowthatthepolicywillbereviewedandcanbechangedbecauseofexperienceornewknowledge.

Some employers, in an attempt to minimize workplace exposure to perfumes and other scented products, have endorsed workplace policies. Although only a few number of employers have endorsed scent-free policies, they are a good tool that not only limits contamination of the indoor air quality but also increases awareness of workers on the issue of chemical sensitivities and environmental illness.



Fabric softeners, anti-cling products, disinfectants,otherstrongly-scentedproducts,andmostdetergentshave toxic ingredients. If you use hair mousse andgels,hairsprayorifyouchemicallyprocessyourhair,itwillneedmanywashingswithasafeshampooandthepassageoftimebeforeyoucanbearoundsomeonewithMCSwithoutmaking them ill.Whatmay seemlikeamildfragrancetoyoucanbeexcruciatinglytoxictosomeonewithMCS.

Some safer products are available in local health-food stores or frommail-order stores. Keep inmindthattolerancetoaparticularproductvariesfromoneindividualtoanother.

For your convenience a short list of safer productsis attached to this document as Appendix A. Theseare only but a few products proposed by PSACmembers.Listingthemallwouldhaverequiredafullcatalogue!

The PSAC does not endorse any of the products found on the list but is providing it as an initialinformativetoolonly.

Some Safer Products



Therearemanysourcesofinformationwhichcanhelpyouindraftingascent-freepolicyinyourworkplace.You should include in your research informationprovided by the Canadian Centre for OccupationalHealth and Safety (CCOHS). They are a CanadianfederalgovernmentagencybasedinHamilton,Ontario,whichservestosupportthevisionofeliminatingallCanadianwork-relatedillnessesandinjuries.

TheCanadianLungAssociationanditstenprovincialLungAssociationshaveextensiveinformationonthisissue.

You will find in Appendix B, examples of workplacescent-freeemployerpolicies.

Examples of Workplace Scent-free Policies



OrganisationsAdvocacy Group for the Environmentally Sensitive(AGES), 235 Bay Street, Apt. 808, Ottawa, Ontario,K1R5Z2,(613)990-6415

The Allergy and Environmental Health AssociationofCanada (AEHACanada),MIMACRPO,Box24030,Dartmouth,NovaScotia,B3A4T4,(902)465-2244

Environmental Illness Society of Canada, 256 KingEdwardAvenue,Suite330,Ottawa,Ontario,K1N7M1,(613)728-9493

Labour Environmental Alliance Society, 1203-207West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia,Canada,V6B1H7,Phone:(604)669-1921

The Canadian Lung Association, National Office,3 Raymond Street, Suite 300, Ottawa, Ontario,K1R1A3,(613)569-6411,Office:[email protected]

CanadianCentreforOccupationalHealthandSafety(CCOHS),135HunterStreetEast,Hamilton,Ontario,L8N1M5,1-905-572-2981,www.ccohs.ca

Publications, articles and books“Perfume – An Investigation of Chemicals in 36 Eaux de Toilette and Eaux de Parfum”, GreenpeaceInternational,February2005,www.greenpeace.org

Health Canada, Consumer Product Safety Bureau,HealthyEnvironmentsandConsumerSafetyBranch,CosmeticsDivision,A.L.3504D,4thFloor,MacDonaldBuilding,123SlaterStreet,Ottawa,Ontario,K1A0K9,Telephone: (613) 946-6452, E-mail: [email protected]

“Chemical Brain Injury”, Kaye H. Kilburn M.D., VanNostrandReinholdPublishers,1998.

“Health Effects Review” – Newsletter of theInternationalJointCommission–HealthProfessionalsTaskForce,CanadianSection:234LaurierAveWest,Ottawa,Ontario(613)995-0230.

“The New Reactor”–newsletterofTheEnvironmentalHealth Network, P.O. Box 1155, Larkspur, CA 94977–(415)541-5075.

“The Delicate Balance”–newsletterofTheNationalCenter for Environmental Strategies, 1100 RuralAvenue,Voorhees,NJ08043–(609)429-5358.

“Nontoxic, Natural & Earthwise”byDebraLynnDadd(LosAngeles:JeremyP.Tarcher,Inc.,1992),(thisbooklistsmanysaferproductsforpersonalandhouseholduse)

“Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes” byProf.NicholasAshford&Dr.ClaudiaMiller(Univ.ofTexasHealthScienceCenter:VanNostrandReinhold,1990).

For More Information



Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry(ATSDR), Toxicological profile for di-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate, TP-92/05, U.S. Department of Healthand Human Services: Public Health Service, Agencyfor Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Atlanta,GA,April1993. (ATSDR:Theprincipal federalpublic

healthagencyintheUSinvolvedwithhazardouswasteissues, responsible for preventing or reducing theharmfuleffectsofexposuretohazardoussubstancesonhumanhealthandqualityoflife.ATSDRispartoftheU.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices.)



Some toxic chemicals found in fragrancesToluene, ethanol, acetone, formaldehyde, limonene,benzene derivatives, ethylene chloride, and manyothersknowntocausecancer,birthdefects,infertility,nervous system damage, or other injuries. The U.S.Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) even foundchloroforminfabricsofteners.

As Romantic as Hazardous WasteToluenewasfoundineveryfragrancesamplecollectedby the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for a1991report.“Toluenewasmostabundantintheautoparts store as well as the fragrance section of thedepartmentstore.”Toluenehasbeenproventocausecancerandnervoussystemdamageandisdesignatedashazardouswaste.

“Perfumesareincreasinglyusedinaneverwidervarietyof fields, including perfumes, cosmetic products,hygienic products, drugs, detergents and otherhouseholdproducts,plastics,industrialgreases,oilsandsolvents,foods,etc.Theircompositionisusuallycomplex.It involvesnumerousnaturalandsyntheticsweet-smelling constituents, more than 5,000 ofwhich are known. Perfumes may produce toxic andmoreoftenallergicrespiratorydisorders(asthma),aswellasneurologicalandcutaneousdisorders.”fromtheFrench toxicology journal,AnnDermatolVernereol,Vol113,ISS1,1986,P.31-41.

84% of these ingredients have never been testedforhumantoxicityandiftheyhave,theyweretestedonlyminimally.N.Ashford,Ph.D.andC.Miller,M.D.Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes 1991,p.61.

In1986theU.S.NationalAcademyofSciencestargetedfragrancesasoneofthesixcategoriesofchemicalsthat should be given high priority for neurotoxicitytesting.Theothergroupsincludeinsecticides,heavymetals, solvents, food additives and certain airpollutants.Thereportstatesthat95%ofchemicalsusedinfragrancesaresyntheticcompoundsderivedfrom petroleum. They include benzene derivatives,aldehydes,andmanyotherknowntoxicsandsensitizerscapable of causing cancers, birth defects, centralnervous system disorders and allergic reactions.“Neurotoxins: At Home and the Workplace”(ReportbytheCommitteeonScienceandTechnology.U.S.HouseofRepresentatives,Sept.16,1986)[Report99-827]

A few chemicals found in fragrances known to beneurotoxic:hexachlorophene;cetyl-ethyl-tetramethyl-tetralin; zinc-pyridinethione; 2,4,dinitro-3-methyl-6-tert-butylanisole;1-Butanol;2-Butanol;tert-Butanol;Isobutanol; t-Butyl Toluene. Neurotoxic properties ofchemicalsfoundinfragranceshavecausedtesticularatrophy in lab animals as well as myelin disease.Themyelinsheathprotects thenervesanddoesnotregenerate. (Compiled from TOXLINE database offragrancesindustryandmedicaljournals.)

Making Sense of ScentsA Few Toxicological Facts About Perfumes



Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s, Lupus, andAlzheimer’s are all neurological disorders. Dyslexiais a neurological dysfunction. Could any of theseneurological dysfunctions be caused by exposure toneurotoxicchemicals?Symptomsareoften identicalto chemical hypersensitivity. Sudden Infant DeathSyndrome (SIDS) is also a neurological dysfunction.Could fragrant fabric softeners or detergentsemittingneurotoxicchemicalscausetheneurologicalbreakdown?

Afewchemicalsfoundinfragrancesknowntocausecancerandbirthdefects:methylenechloride;toluene;methylethylketone;methylisobutylketone;tertButyl;sec Butyl; benzyl chloride. (Compiled by comparinga list of 120 fragrance chemicals from the EPAobtainedthroughtheFreedomofInformationActandCalifornia’sProp65ListofChemicals).

A fewchemicals found in fragrancesdesignatedashazardous waste disposal chemicals: methylene

chloride;toluene;methylethylketone;methylisobutylketone;ethanol;benzalchloride.ThesechemicalsarelistedintheEPA’sCode40ofFederalRegulations,Ch1,Section261.33.

884toxicsubstanceswereidentifiedinalist(partial)of 2,983 chemicals used in the fragrance industry:“Many of these substances are capable of causingcancer,birthdefects,centralnervoussystemdisorders,breathingandallergicreactionsandMultipleChemicalSensitivities.”(U.S. National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health report.)

In a National Institute of Occupational Safety andHealth study conducted by Syracuse Research Corporation, ReportNo.SRCTR81-521,1981,benzoinisnamedasachemicalusedinfragrancesfoundtocauseenlargedlymphnodesinbothmaleandfemalemiceandenlargedspleensinmales.Liverdamageisalsocited.

AMICUS journal,Winter‘89,U.S.BoardofEnvironmentalStudies and Toxicology of the National ResearchCouncil,theresearchbranchoftheNationalAcademyof Sciences estimates that “15% of the populationexperiences hypersensitivity to chemicals found incommonhouseholdproducts”.

Asthma And Fragrance ChemicalsToluene was detected in every fragrance samplecollectedbytheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyforareportin1991:“Toluenewasmostabundantintheautopartsstore,aswellasthefragrancesectionsofthedepartmentstore.”Toluenenotonlytriggersasthmaattacks,itisknowntocauseasthmainpreviouslyhealthypeople.Accordingto“Air Currents”,publicationofAllenandHandsbury’sRespiratory Institute,divisionofGlaxo, Inc.,asthma

Toluene not only triggers asthma attacks, it is known to cause asthma in previously healthy people. According to “Air Currents”, publication of Allen and Handsbury’s Respiratory Institute, division of Glaxo, Inc., asthma has increased in the past decade by 31%, and in the same period asthma deaths have increased by 31%. Women and those over 65 suffer the highest death rate for asthma.



hasincreasedinthepastdecadeby31%,andinthesameperiodasthmadeathshaveincreasedby31%.Women and those over 65 suffer the highest deathrateforasthma.

72% of asthma patients in a study have adversereactionstoperfumes;i.e.,pulmonaryfunctiontestsdropping anywhere between 18% and 58% belowbaseline(from“Affects of Odors in Asthma,”ChangShim, MD and M. Henry Toluene-laced fragranceindustrychemicalproductshavebecomeincreasinglypervasiveinthelasttenyears.Theyareusednotonlyinperfumes,butalsoinfurniturewax,tires,plasticgarbagebags,inks,hairgel,hairspray,andkittylitter.ADanish toxicological journal,“UgeskrLaegar”,Vol153,ISS13,1991,p.939-40,foundperfumeinkittylittertobethecauseofasthmainhumans.

Relevant Facts• Ofchemicalsusedinfragrances,95%are

syntheticcompoundsderivedfrompetroleum.Theyincludebenzenederivatives,aldehydesandmanyotherknowntoxicsandsensitizerscapableofcausingcancer,birthdefects,centralnervoussystemdisordersandallergicreactions.(Neurotoxins: At Home and the Workplace,ReportbytheCommitteeonScience&Technology,U.S.HouseofRepresentatives,Sept.16,1986,Report99-827)

• Chloroformwasfoundintestsoffabricsofteners(EPA's1991study)

• Aroomcontaininganairfreshenerhadhighlevelsofp-dichlorobenzene(acarcinogen)andethanol(EPA's1991study)

• AnFDAanalysis(1968-1972)of138compoundsusedincosmeticsthatmostfrequentlyinvolvedadversereactions,identifiedfivechemicals(alpha-terpineol,benzylacetate,benzylalcohol,limoneneandlinalool)thatareamongthe20mostcommonlyusedinthe31fragranceproductstestedbytheEPAin1991!

• Thirty-threemillionAmericanssufferfromsinusitis(inflammationorinfectionofsinuspassages).ItisestimatedthatthreemillionCanadianssufferfromsinusitis.

• AsthmaisoneofthemostprevalentchronicconditionsinCanada.MorethanonemillionCanadiansofallagessufferfromasthma,resultinginmorethan60,000hospitaladmissionsand280,000daysinhospitalannually.

• TenmillionAmericanshaveasthma.Asthmaandasthma-relateddeathshaveincreasedover30%inthepast10years.

• Headachescost$50billioninlostproductivityandmedicalexpensesand157millionlostworkdaysin1991intheU.S."Focus on Fragrance and Health,"byLouiseKosta,TheHumanEcologist,Fall1992.



The Health Risks of Twenty Most Common Chemicals Found in Thirty-One Fragrance Products by a 1991 EPA Study

Excerpts from “Health Hazard Information” Environmental Protection Agency

References: Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)

Principal Chemicals Found in Scented ProductsACETONE (In: cologne, dishwashing liquid anddetergent, nail enamel remover). On EPA, RCRA,CERCLAHazardousWastelists.“Inhalationcancausedrynessof themouthandthroat;dizziness,nausea,incoordination, slurred speech, drowsiness, and, insevereexposures,coma”.“Actsprimarilyasacentralnervoussystem(CNS)depressant”.

BENZALDEHYDE (In: perfume, cologne, hairspray,laundry bleach, deodorants, detergent, Vaselinelotion,shavingcream,shampoo,barsoap,dishwasherdetergent).Narcoticandsensitizer.“Localanaesthetic,CNS depressant”. “Irritation to the mouth, throat,eyes,skin, lungs,andGI tract,causingnauseaandabdominal pain”. “May cause kidneydamage”. “Donotusewithcontactlenses”.

BENZYL ACETATE (In: perfume, cologne, shampoo,fabric softener, stickup air fresheners, dishwashingliquid and detergent, soap, hairspray, bleach,after shave, deodorants). Carcinogenic (linked topancreaticcancer).“Fromvapours:irritatingtoeyesandrespiratorypassages,excitingcough”.“Inmice:hyperaemiaofthelungs”.“Canbeabsorbedthroughtheskincausingsystemiceffects”.“Donotflushtosewer”.

BENZYL ALCOHOL (In: perfume, cologne, soap,shampoo,nailenamelremover,airfresheners,laundrybleach and detergent, Vaseline lotion, deodorants,fabric softener). “Irritating to the upper respiratorytract”.“Headache,nausea,vomiting,dizziness,dropinbloodpressure,CNSdepression,anddeathinseverecasesduetorespiratoryfailure”.

CAMPHOR(In:perfume,shavingcream,nailenamel,fabricsoftener,dishwasherdetergent,nailcolor,stickupair fresheners). “Local irritant and CNS stimulant”.“Readilyabsorbed throughbody tissues”.“Irritationof eyes, nose and throat”. “Dizziness, confusion,nausea,twitchingmusclesandconvulsions”.“Avoidinhalationofvapours”.

ETHANOL (In: perfume, hairspray, shampoo, fabricsoftener, dishwashing liquid and detergent, laundrydetergent, shaving cream, soap, Vaseline lotion, airfresheners,nailcolorandremover,paintandvarnishremover). On EPA Hazardous Waste list; symptoms:“...fatigue; irritating to eyes and upper respiratorytract even in low concentrations...”. “Inhalation ofethanol vapours can have effects similar to thosecharacteristic of ingestion. These include an initialstimulatory effect followed by drowsiness, impairedvision,ataxia,stupor...”.CausesCNSdisorder.

ETHYL ACETATE (In: after shave, cologne, perfume,shampoo, nail color, nail enamel remover, fabricsoftener, dishwashing liquid). Narcotic. On EPAHazardous Waste list. “Irritating to the eyes andrespiratorytract”.“Maycauseheadacheandnarcosis(stupor)”. “Defatting effect on skin and may causedrying and cracking”. “May cause anaemia withleukocytosisanddamagetoliverandkidneys”.“Washthoroughlyafterhandling”.



LIMONENE (In:perfume,cologne,disinfectantspray,barsoap,shavingcream,deodorants,nailcolorandremover, fabric softener, dishwashing liquid, airfresheners, after shave, bleach, paint and varnishremover). Carcinogenic. “Prevent its contact withskinoreyesbecauseitisanirritantandsensitizer”.“Always wash thoroughly after using this materialandbeforeeating,drinking,...applyingcosmetics.Donotinhalelimonenevapour”.

LINALOOL(In:perfume,cologne,barsoap,shampoo,handlotion,nailenamelremover,hairspray, laundrydetergent, dishwashing liquid, Vaseline lotion, airfresheners, bleach powder, fabric softener, shavingcream, after shave, solid deodorant). Narcotic.“Respiratory disturbances”. “Attracts bees”. “Inanimaltests:ataxicgait,reducedspontaneousmotoractivityanddepression...developmentofrespiratorydisturbances leading to death”. “Depressed frog-heartactivity”.CausesCNSdisorder.

METHYLENE CHLORIDE (In: shampoo,cologne,paintand varnish remover). Banned by the FDA in 1988!No enforcement possible due to trade secret lawsprotecting chemical fragrance industry. On EPA,RCRA,CERCLAHazardousWastelists.“Carcinogenic”.“Absorbed,storedinbodyfat,itmetabolizestocarbonmonoxide, reducing oxygen-carrying capacity of theblood”. “Headache, giddiness, stupor, irritability,fatigue,tinglinginthelimbs”.CausesCNSdisorder.

a-PINENE(In:barandliquidsoap,cologne,perfume,shaving cream, deodorants, dishwashing liquid, airfresheners). Sensitizer (damaging to the immunesystem).

g-TERPINENE (In: cologne, perfume, soap, shavingcream, deodorant, air fresheners). “Causes asthmaandCNSdisorders”.

a-TERPINEOL(In:perfume,cologne,laundrydetergent,bleach powder, laundry bleach, fabric softener,stickupairfresheners,Vaselinelotion,cologne,soap,hairspray, after shave, roll-on deodorant). “Highlyirritatingtomucousmembranes”.“Aspirationintothelungscanproducepneumonitisorevenfataledema”.Canalsocause“excitement,ataxia(lossofmuscularcoordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratorydepression, and headache”. “Prevent repeated orprolongedskincontact”.

Unable to secure MSDS for the following chemicals: �,8-CINEOLE; b-CITRONELLOL; b-MYRCENE; NEROL; OCIMENE; b-PHENETHYL ALCOHOL; a-TERPINOLENE.



ThePSACdoesnotendorseanyoftheproductsfoundonthelistbutisprovidingitasaninitialinformativetoolonly.

Soaps• SirenaCoconutSoap,Unscented

• DoveMoisturizingBodyWash,Unscented

• OilofOlayMoisturizingBodyWash,Unscented

• Dr.Bronner'sUnscentedBabyCastile

• ContiCastileSoap

• KissmyFacePureOliveOilSoap,Unscented

• NatureCleanPureVegetableSoap

• Gardener’sSoapwithLoofah

• Goat’sMilkSoap

• SkinKindOrganicsIrishMossSoap

• SkinKindOrganicsKelpMealScrubbingSoap

• PureGlycerinSoap

• WoodburySoap

Shampoos• PureEssentialsFragrance-FreeShampoo

• Granny'sRich'nRadiantShampoo


• AllWaysIndianHempShampoo

• NatureCleanHerbalShampoo

• SkinKindOrganicsIrishMossorKelpShampoo

• KMSPuritives

• ClinidermShampoo

• EarthSciencePureEssentialFragranceFreeShampoo

• InfinityRosemaryShampoo

Laundry and Dishwashing• Plainbakingsoda

• Tri-CleanLaundryDiscs


• Granny'sOldFashionedConcentrate

• CountrySaveUnscented

• ShakleeProducts

• TideFreeLaundrySoap

• EcoverLaundryPowder

• Plainborax

• NatureCleanDishwashingPowder

• DownEastHomecareProducts

– AllPurposeCleaner

– LiquidLaundryDetergent

– ScouringPowder

– DishwashingLiquid

Appendix A – List of Safer Products



Deoderant• DeodorantStones

• Tom’sNaturalDeodorantStick

• MarcelleRollOn

• CrystalRock

• MitchumUnscented

• Arm&HammerAnti-Perspirant–Unscented

• ArridXX–Unscented

• DegreeOriginal–Unscented

• LadySpeedStick–Unscented

• Secret–Unscented

• NaturalScienceDeodorant

• EarthwiseChamomile

• BakingSoda

Lotions• Plainalmondoiloroliveoil

• Granny'sOldFashionedMoistureGuard

• Nature'sPlusVitaminECream

• Cocoabutter,plainorwithalmondoilonly

• Aquitain–UnscentedBodyLotion

• Lubriderm–UnscentedBodyLotion

• MarcelleFaceCream

• CliniqueFaceCream

• Noxema–SensitiveSkin(FragranceFree)

• NutragenaFaceCream

• Complex15–FaceandBodyLotion

• AveenoFragranceFreeLotion

• ClinidermHandLotion

• Jergens–Unscented

Sunscreens• MountainOceanSunScreen,SPF15

• Physician'sFormula

• Nature’sGateLipBalm,SPF15(UVA+UVB)



To: AllNotesUser/TouslesUsagersdeNotesSubject: EnvironmentalSensitivities–ChemicalsandPerfumesintheWorkplace/ Manifestationsd’intolérancesaumilieu–Produitchimiquesetparfumsenmilieudetravail

HEALTH & SAFETY ADVISORY:

Environmental Sensitivities – Chemicalsand Perfumes in the Workplace

amessagefromtheHealth, Safety & Security Division

AssetsManagementDirectorate,CSBMay1997

Concernscontinuetoberaisedaboutemployeesensitivitiesresultingfromtheuseofchemicalsandperfumesintheworkplace.Accordingly,theDepartmentalOccupationalSafetyandHealthAdvisoryCommitteehasdecidedtoreissuethisadvisorywithfurtherupdates.

Indoorairqualityisnotjustaboutdustandbuildingairventilationsystems.Theairweareexposedtoalsocontainssubstanceswhichcanbeirritatingandpotentiallyhazardoustomanyofus,chemicalsthatwemaynotthinktwiceabout.

Chemicals,includingthosefoundinmanyscentedproductsusedeveryday,canseriouslyaffectourco-workers,especially those who suffer from environmental sensitivities, allergies, or asthma. Products such as officecleaningsolutions,strongperfumes,hairspraysoraftershavelotionscanprovokeareactionrangingfrommildtoseriousinsomepeople.

Appendix B – Example of an Employer Policy/Advisory



Someofusarereluctanttospeakuponourownbehalf.Wemaynotevenbeawareofthesubstancesandchemicalsbeingusedaroundusorofthepotentialeffectsofscentedproducts(orcombinationofproducts)mayhaveonus.

Weallsharetheair.Thefollowingtipscanbeusedtohelpaddressenvironmentalsensitivities.• Avoidusingscentedproducts,suchasperfumes,aftershavelotionsandhairsprays;

• Useodourlessproductstocleanandfreshenyourofficearea.Readproductlabelsandbeinformed.RefertotheWorkplaceHazardousMaterialsInformationSystem(WHMIS)labelsformoredetails.Ifyourequirefurtherinformation,donothesitatetocontactyourOccupationalSafetyandHealthCommittee(OSH)representative;

• lfthecleaningsolutions,washroomairfreshenersandotherproductsusedbythebuildingmaintenanceworkersaffectyou,callyourlocalFacilitiesManagerorcontactyourOSHrepresentative;

• Replaceregularpermanentmarkerswithanodourlesstype.Substitutestronglyscentedcleaningsolutionswithunscented,environment-friendlyproducts.Fumesfrommarkerpensorcleaningproductscancauseheadachesandnausea,especiallyinanenclosedareasuchasaboardroom;

• Ensureallproductswhichhaveodours,suchasphotocopiercartridges,aretightlysealedandproperlystored;

• Eliminatesourcesofdampness,suchasoverwateredplants,humidifiers,orcoffeespills.Dampnessencouragesthegrowthofmoldwhichcancauseunpleasantodoursandtriggerallergicreactionsinsomepeople;

• Takecareofyourplants,anddon’ttreatthemwithchemicalsintheworkenvironment.Floweringplantsarenotadvisablebecausesomeemployeesmaybeallergictothem;

• Ensurethatprinterfiltersarereplacedwhensuggestedbythemanufacturer.

Airqualitycanalsobeaffectedbyotherminorproblemsthatcanbeeasilyavoidedifweworktogether.Listedbelowaresomeadditionalcommonsenseactionsthatmightapplyatyourworklocation.• Turnoffcomputers,free-standingprintersandlightswhennotinuse.Thishelpstokeepthebuildingcool

andalsosavesenergy;

• Donotblocktheairventsinwindowbayswithbooks,filesorplants.Thiscausestheairflowtoberestrictedresultinginreducedcomfortlevels;

• Haveyourfilingcabinetsorotherfurnituremovedawayfromheating/coolingunitstoallowforoptimalairflow;

• Keepyourofficedooropen,wheneverpossible,toassisttheheatingandventilationsystemtofunctionproperly.Sharetheairflowwithyourcolleagueslocatedintheinsideoffices;



• Neveradjustthermostats.Theymaycontroltheheatinworkplacesotherthanyours,andcouldaffectthecomfortofyourcolleagues.Ifyoufeeltoohotortoocold,callyourlocalFacilitiesManager;

• Requestthatphotocopiersandotherofficeequipmentbeplacedinwellventilatedareas;

• Thinkofyourcolleagues:no-oneappreciatesthesmellofgymclothesordampboots,whichcouldproducestrongodours;

• Periodicallycleanandtidyupyourworkstation.Thiswillhelptoreducedustandmakeyourworkenvironmentmuchsafer.

Ifyouhaveallergiesorsensitivities, letothersaroundyouknowofyourhealthconcerns.Ifyouareawareofsomeonewhoissensitive,beconsiderateandtrytoavoidusingthesubstanceswhichmighttriggeranegativereaction.

It’sateameffort.Byapplyingthesecommon-senseprincipleswecandoourpartinimprovingairqualityinourworkenvironment.Togetherwecanmakeadifference.

EnquiriesmaybedirectedtoyourOccupationalSafetyandHealthCommittee(OSH)representative.



Ladies and Gentlemen, Please...Your Scents are Making us Sick!Believe it... perfumes, colognes and other scentedtoiletrieshaveenteredthegrowinglistofairpollutantsbecause they actually make some people ill. Thatdoesn’tmeantheodourisoffensive; itmeanstheseproductscancauseadversephysicalreactionssuchasnausea,headaches,difficultybreathing,laryngitisandrashes.Inotherwords,somepeopleareseverelyallergic to what we are wearing and, because theyworkwithus,theycan’tescape!

Yes,thesepeoplearefewinnumberrightnowbuttheirnumbers are growing daily. All of us are constantlyexposed to the pollutants we are pouring into theenvironment and many people are being sensitized

Example of an Employer Policy/Advisory Environmental Sensitivities – Chemicals and Perfumes in the Workplace (Industry Canada)

to these substances and developing allergies thatwereunheardofyearsago.Ifyouthinkthiswillneverhappen to you, thinkagain…mostenvironmentallysensitive people were perfectly normal and healthyuntiltheirreactionscame“outofnowhere”and,forsome, have become so severe that they must leadfrustratinglyrestrictedlives.

Inconsiderationforthehealthofourcolleagueswhomaysuffer fromenvironmentalsensitivities,and, inself-interesttoeliminateacontaminantfromtheairthatcouldmakeanyoneofus“healthyspecimens”illsomeday,pleaseconsiderusingunscentedtoiletriesand minimizing or even eliminating your use ofperfumesandcolognesatwork.



PURPOSEThis Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) noticeprovides informationforemployees,supervisorsandmanagers regarding environmental hypersensitivityandthesuggestedguidelinestoaddressthisissueasitrelatestotheworkplace.

BACKGROUNDIntroduction to Environmental HypersensitivityEnvironmentalHypersensitivity(EH)isaninvoluntaryresponse experienced by an individual, causingphysiological responses, when one or moreenvironmentalfactorsadverselyaffectthatindividual,andwhen themajorityof thepopulationappears toadapttotheseconditionswithoutimpairment.When an individual has an adverse reaction toconditionsthatthemajorityofthepopulationappearsto tolerate without impairment, that individual maybereferredtoas“environmentallyhypersensitive”.

EHcontinuestobestudiedanddiscussedbyhealthcareprofessionals,researchers,medicalpractitionersand workers’ compensation boards in an effort todetermine the extent to which EH can be identifiedand/ordiagnosedasamedicalcondition.

Example of an Employer Policy/AdvisoryEnvironmental Hypersensitivity at the Workplace (Public Works Government Services Canada)

Symptoms and Contributing Factors Some common reported symptoms associated withEH include: tension, fatigue, anxiety, headaches,difficultyinconcentration,dizziness,sorethroat,eyeirritation,skinirritation,nausea,shortnessofbreath,sinuspain,sweatingandjointaches.

ThecauseofdiscomfortmaybedifficulttodetermineatfirstasEHreactionscanoccuratarelativelylowlevel of exposure. Initiation of sensitivity for oneor more substances tolerated in the past may alsooccurafteraninitialacuteexposuretoenvironmentalcontaminants. Some contributing factors that maysolicit reactions include outdoor and indoor airpollutantssuchasbiologicalcontaminantsfromlivingplants and animals (pollen from trees, grass andweeds,componentsoffood,animaldander,dustmitesandmould)andchemicalsfrompesticides,cleaningproducts, perfumes, air fresheners, hairsprays andaftershave.

Approaching the Issue ItisacknowledgedthatEHcanhaveasignificanteffectonhealthandproductivityandshouldnotbeignored.WhilestudyofEHcontinues,Annex A – Guidelines on Addressing Environmental Hypersensitivities havebeen developed to assist departmental employees,managersandsupervisors,andtenantdepartmentsin addressing EH issues. These guidelines providea standard approach for the investigation of EHconditionsandprescribemethodstohelpdetermine



symptoms, identify contributing factors and searchforsolutions.

Takingcareofourworkenvironmentisateameffort.InordertoaddressEHissuesinaneffectivemanner,thecombinedeffortsandcooperationofallconcernedparties,includingemployees,colleagues,supervisorsand managers, Health and Safety committees andrepresentatives, property managers and seniormanagementarerequired.

INQUIRIESRegional Managers responsible for health and safety:

AtlanticRegion Tel:(902)496-5075QuebecRegion Tel:(514)496-3576NationalCapitalArea Tel:(819)956-6968OntarioRegion Tel:(416)512-5962WesternRegion Tel:(403)497-3538PacificRegion Tel:(604)775-6610

ANNEX A – Guidelines on Addressing Environmental HypersensitivitiesReporting an EH ConditionEmployees who suspect an environmentalhypersensitivity (EH)at theworkplace should reporttheproblemtotheirManagerorSupervisorandseeka medical evaluation by a specialist to confirm thecondition of EH. This action should then begin theprocesstoaddresstheproblem.

Addressing an EH Related Problem There are four main steps that should be taken inorder to properly address an EH problem that hasbeen identified by an employee. These four steps,discussedinfurtherdetailbelow,includePreliminary Assessment, Evaluation of the Work Environment,

Search for Solutions and Follow-up and Feedback. Itshould be noted that the employee reporting an EHproblem may wish and should be encouraged to beinvolved in the investigation. In situations where anumber of individuals share a common concern, asub-groupmaybeformedandarepresentativeofthegroupcouldthenparticipateintheinvestigation.

Step �: Preliminary Assessment UponreceivingareportfromanemployeeofsuspectedEH, the Manager or the Supervisor will initiatea preliminary assessment of the situation. Thisassessmentincludesdiscussingwiththeemployeethesymptomsexperiencedandthepossiblecausesofthediscomfort. Frequently, the individualcan relate theproblemtospecificlocations,odoursoractivities,orhasalreadyidentifiedthesourceofhis/hersymptoms.TheEHProblemChecklistshouldbecompletedbytheemployeeandutilizedasatooltoassistindeterminingthecauseoftheproblem,ifunknown.SeeAppendix 1 – Environmental Hypersensitivity Problem Checklist.Inaddition,somecontributingfactorstoEHsymptomshave been identified and should be reviewed inrelation to the reported problem. See Appendix 2 – Environmental Hypersensitivity Workplace Checklist.TheManagerorSupervisorshouldnotifytheWorkplaceHealthandSafetyCommitteeorRepresentativeandthe Property Manager at the onset of a preliminaryassessment, to ensure that they are aware of theproblem, and of actions that are being undertakento address the situation. If there is no WorkplaceHealthandSafetyCommitteeorRepresentative, theOccupational Health and Safety Coordinator or theRegionalManagerresponsibleforHealthandSafetyshouldbenotified.

In many instances the symptoms related to EH atthe workplace can be eliminated or greatly reduced



throughtheimplementationofminorchangeswithintheworkplace. In situationswhere the cause of theproblem cannot be easily determined, the Manageror Supervisor should discuss the situation with aHealthandSafetyRepresentative,i.e.theWorkplaceHealthandSafetyCommitteeorRepresentative, theOccupational Health and Safety Coordinator or theRegionalManagerresponsibleforHealthandSafety.If additional assistance is required to reveal thecause of the problem, a response team should beestablishedtoinvestigate.TheresponseteamshouldincludetheManagerorSupervisor,aHealthandSafetyRepresentative, and may include representativesfrom Case Claims Management, the Union, LabourRelationsandEmployeeandOrganizationAssistanceProgram (EOAP). It should be noted that there maybecasesinwhich,duetothenatureofthesituation,itmaynotbenecessarytocalluponallmembersofthe team. The response teamwill recommendwhenspecialists,i.e.HealthCanada,shouldbeutilizedtoundertake additional studies and investigations ofthecircumstances.

Step 2: Evaluation of the Work Environment Prior to the undertaking of special studies andinvestigations, the Property Manager should benotified and may be asked to complete and submita report to the Regional Manager responsible forHealthandSafety.See Appendix 3 foranexampleofa Building Information Report.Thisexampleprovidesasampleoftheinformationthatshouldbeincludedwhenpreparingthisreport.

Close examination of the employee’s workspaceand adjacent areas may identify possible causesof EH problems. An Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) surveymay assist in determining the contributing factorsto EH conditions identified during the preliminary

assessment. The building location, operation andmaintenance activities, and the condition of thesystems should be examined. The interactionsbetweenbuildingsystemsandcomponents,occupantactivities,scentedproducts,offgassingoffurnitureandofficeequipmentshouldbeconsideredaspossiblecausesofEHsymptoms.

ExamplesofreferencedocumentsthatcanbeusedforanIAQSurveyinclude:• Indoor Air Quality Assessment Strategy,

publishedbyPublicWorksCanada,1992;

• Indoor Air Quality in Office Buildings: Technical Guide,publishedbyHealthCanada,1993;

• Guidelines for Managing Air Quality in Office Buildings,issuedbyCanadianStandardsAssociation,documentZ204-94;

Step 3: Search for Solutions When an EH problem and the likely cause of theproblem have been identified, the search for asolutionthatismutuallyacceptabletotheemployeeandtotheemployercanthenbegin.SolutionstoEHproblemswillinvolveeithertheaccommodationoftheindividualorthecontroloftheenvironment.Examplesofstrategiestoaccommodatetheaffectedindividualandtocontroltheenvironmentareprovidedhere.

If the individualhasalready identified thecauseofhis/hersymptoms,theManagerorSupervisornotifiedofthesituationshouldensurethatfellowworkersareawareoftheindividual’sconditionandtakemeasurestominimizehis/herdiscomfort.

A number of possible options may be available toaddressaparticularconcern.Eachoptionshouldbeevaluated in order to identify the most appropriatesolution.



Health Canada has developed a set of guidelinesthat everyone can follow to minimize the sufferingof co-workers who are seriously affected by certainproductsandactivities.Theseguidelinesarerepeatedhere to help address environmental sensitivities inthe workplace. The guidelines include strategies tocontrol the environment and to accommodate theaffectedindividual,offeringpossiblesolutionswhichmay be adopted based on the identified problem,the suspected cause and the associated costs toimplementthem.

1) Examplesofstrategiestocontroltheenvironment:

• Avoidusingscentedproductssuchasperfumes,aftershavelotionsandhairsprays.

• Useodourlessproductstocleanandfreshenyourofficearea.Replacestronglyscentedcleaningsolutionswithunscented,environmentallyfriendlyproducts.Readproductlabelsandbeinformed.Furtherinformationregardingaparticularproductshouldbedirectedtothemanufactureroftheproduct.

• Ifthecleaningsolutions,washroomairfreshenersandotherproductsusedbythebuildingmaintenanceworkersaffectyou,reportittoyourmanagerorsupervisorandtotheNationalServiceCallCentreat1-800-463-1850.Iftheproblemisnotresolved,reportittoyourWorkplaceHealthandSafetyCommitteeorRepresentative,theOccupationalHealthandSafetyCoordinatorortheRegionalManagerresponsibleforHealthandSafety.

• Replaceregularpermanentpenmarkerswithanodourlesstype.Fumesfrommarkerpensorcleaningproductscancauseheadachesandnausea,especiallyinanenclosedareasuchasaboardroom.

• Ensureallofficeproductswhichhaveodours,e.g.photocopiercartridges,aretightlysealedandproperlystored.

• Ensurethatprinterfiltersarereplacedwhensuggestedbythemanufacturer.

• Eliminatesourcesofdampnesssuchasoverwateredplants,humidifiersorcoffeespills.Dampnessencouragesthegrowthofmouldwhichcancauseunpleasantodoursandtriggerallergicreactionsinsomepeople.

• Plantsshouldbelimited.Ifthereareplantsintheworkplace,theyshouldbetakencareof.Donottreatthemwithchemicalsintheworkenvironment.Floweringplantsintheworkplacearenotadvisablebecausesomeemployeesmaybeallergictothem.

• Donotblocktheairventsinwindowbayswithbooks,filesorplants.Inadequateventilationandairexchangecanalsocontributetoincreasedexposuretofumesandodoursanddecreaseindoorairquality.

• Ifyouhaveallergiesorsensitivities,letothersaroundyouknowofyourhealthconcerns.Youmightconsiderputtingupasignatyourworkstationremindingothersthatyouareenvironmentallysensitivetocertainproductsandtolimituseofscentswhenvisitingyourworklocation.Asanexample,thesignmayindicate:“Pleaselimityouruseofscentswhenvisitingthisworkstation.Thankyouforyourcooperation”.Ifyouareawareofsomeonewhoissensitive,beconsiderateandavoidusingsubstancesthatmighttriggeranegativereaction.



ManagersorSupervisorsplayakey role inensuringthat environmentally sensitive employees areprotectedintheworkplace:

• Iftheemployee’ssensitivityislimitedtoscentsfromperfumes,hairsprayoraftershavelotions,etc.,themanager/supervisormaybeabletoquicklyresolvetheissuebyrequestingthecooperationofcolleaguesinrestrictingtheuseoftheseproducts.Employeesshouldberemindedtoshowconsiderationfortheircolleaguesbyreplacingtheuseofscentedproductswithunscentedonesand/oravoidingwearingperfumealtogetherintheworkplace.Shouldthisnotbeachieved,theaffectedemployeeandthepersonwearingthescentedproductmayneedtobephysicallyseparated.

• Managersmaywishtopostsignsontheirfloortoraiseawarenessofenvironmentalsensitivities.Anexamplewouldbe:“Pleasebeawarethatmanystaffmembersaresensitivetochemicals,includingthosefoundinscents,perfumesandaftershaves”.Beforepostinganysigns,thePropertyManagershouldbeconsulted.

• Whencallingameeting,aimforascent-freeenvironmentbyaskingparticipantstorefrainfromwearingscentedproducts.

• Beforerenovationorconstructionworkbeginsonafloor,themanagershouldinformemployeesaboutthetypeofworktakingplace,andifnecessary,makearrangementstohaveenvironmentallysensitiveemployeestemporarilyrelocated.

2) Examplesofstrategiesforaccommodation:

• Relocationoftheaffectedindividualtoanotherfloororanotherbuilding.

• Part-timeworktoallowforalongerrecoveryperiod.

• Achangeinworkscheduleinordertoavoidpollutantgeneratingactivities.

• Arrangingforworktobedoneathome.

• Ifallelsefails,wherethereisnosuccessinfindingasolutionthroughtheuseoftheabove-mentionedstrategies,modificationofthepresentworkplacemaybenecessary.Thisentailsisolatingtheworkstationasmuchaspossiblefromthesurroundings,i.e.anenclosedofficemayberequired.Thisstrategyisusedwiththepurposeofcreatingasafehavenfortheindividualinordertoallowforrecuperation.

Step 4: Follow-up and Feedback All records of activities undertaken and decisionsmaderegardingtheidentificationofanEHissue,andofdeterminingcause(s)andmeasurestakenshouldbemaintainedbytheManagerorSupervisor.Thiswillallow for the evaluation of remedial measures. The

Health Canada has developed a set of guidelines that everyone can follow to minimize the suffering of co-workers who are seriously affected by certain products and activities. These guidelines are repeated here to help address environmental sensitivities in the workplace.



recordsshouldincludecomplaintreportsandapersonallog maintained by the employee, which may providesomeindicationastotheimpactofmodifications.

Thepersonallogshouldbecontinuedbytheemployeeaftermodificationshavebeenmade,astheresultsofthechangesmaynotbeimmediate.TheManagerorSupervisor should followupwith theemployeeonaregularbasisinordertomonitortheeffectivenessoftheactivitiesthathavebeenundertaken.

Other Considerations in Addressing EH IssuesMonitoringAnyproposedmodificationstoequipment,proceduresortotheworkplacethatmayraiseEHissues,i.e.,newcleaning products to be utilized in the workplace,office equipment, renovations, design changes toofficespace,etc.,shouldbereportedtotheWorkplaceHealth and Safety Committee or Representative forreview and to those EH identified individuals thatmay be affected by the change. This review mayindicateaneedtorevisetheproposedchangespriortoimplementation.

Work Refusal Whenanemployeeatworkhasreasonablecausetobelievethataconditionexitsorpotentiallyexistsintheworkplacethatconstitutesa“danger”totheemployee,he/shemay refuse towork. If theemployeesubmitsa refusal towork, he/shemust report thematter tothemanagerorsupervisorandtheworkplacehealthandsafetycommitteeorrepresentativewithoutdelay.Themanagerorsupervisor,afterbeingnotifiedoftherefusaltowork,shallconductaformalinvestigation.

FundingCostsassociatedwithworkplaceassessmentsrelatedto EH issues, and for required modifications to theworkplace as a result of EH issues, are funded bytheemployingdepartment.For requirements relatedtoEHissueswithinPWGSC,costsarefundedbytherespective responsibility centre. If the responsiblemanagerorsupervisordoesnothavesufficientfunds,a requestcanbesubmitted toCorporatePolicyandInfrastructureBranch toapply for theDepartmentalJob Accommodation Central Fund. If additionalassistanceisrequired,arequestforfundingcanbeforwarded to Employment Equity. Further details onsources of funding can be found in DepartmentalPolicy019–Work-RelatedAccommodationforPersonswithDisabilities.

Employeesareresponsibleforcostsassociatedwiththeacquisitionofanydevicethatisusedsolelyforthepurposeofprovidinganadded measureofpersonalprotectionfromEHsymptoms,i.e.,masksandfilters,clothingandanyotherequipmentusedforpersonalEHprotection.

When an employee at work has reasonable cause to believe that a condition exits or potentially exists in the workplace that constitutes a “danger” to the employee, he/she may refuse to work.



APPENDIX 1 – Environmental Hypersensitivity Problem Checklist

Employee

Name: PhoneNo.:

Department: Location:

MANAGER/Supervisor

Name: PhoneNo.:

Assessment Conducted By

Name: Date:

I) Health Related Information

�. Do you have a history of allergies? o Yeso No IfYes,thetypeofallergyis: Respiratory/Skin/Food/Other IfOtherpleasedescribe:

2. Can you specify products that you cannot tolerate? o Yeso No IfYes,pleaseindicateproduct(s):

3. Are you under medical treatment for these allergies? o Yeso No



4. Please indicate other health related information that you wish to provide at this time.

II) Building Related Information �. Do you feel better outside rather than inside the building? o Yeso No 2. Do you feel better at another building (or buildings)? o Yeso No IfYes,pleaseprovidebuildingname(s)andlocation(s)

3. Where in this building are your symptoms the worst? (Pleaseindicatethefloor,roomandworkstationnumber(ifapplicable),orindicateifcommonarea(s)withinthebuildingarewheresymptomsareworse(e.g.,mainlobby,cafeteria,etc.).

4. Are your allergies worse while you are in this building? o Yeso No

YOURANSWERSTOTHEQUESTIONSBELOWAPPLYTOTHISLOCATION.WHEREACHOICEISPROVIDED,PLEASECIRCLETHEMOSTAPPROPRIATEANSWER.SPACEFORCOMMENTSISPROVIDED.

5. Has this area/office/workstation been renovated recently? o Yeso No

IfYes,howlongago:________months

What has been done (or what has changed)? Newfloorcovering(carpet,other)/Wallcovering/Paint/Ceiling/Furniture/Officeequipment/ Other:



6. Describe the usual temperature here: Appropriate/Toohot/Toocold/Sometimestoohot/Sometimestoocold

7. How would you usually describe the air here? Appropriate/Drafty/Stagnant/Stale/Dry

8. Which of the following do you suffer from, that you believe may be due to the building? Headache/ Tiredness/ Faintness/ Dizziness/ Concentration problems / Fatigue/ Nausea/ Stomach

problems/Skinirritation/Dryeyes/Itchingeyes/Wateryeyes/Blurredvision/Stuffynose/Runnynose/Sneezing/Sorethroat/Drythroat/Chestdiscomfort/Coughing/Asthma/

Other:

9. Are you bothered by odour here? o Yeso No IfYes,howoftendoyousmellthisodour? Rarely/Occasionally/Frequently/Allthetime

Which of the following best describes the odour? Autoexhaust/Dieselfumes/Furnacesmell/Heatingsystem/Bodyodour/Mouldyormusty/Chemical/

Solvent(likewetcementorplaster)/Dustyorchalkysmell

What do you think may cause the odour?

�0. Do you or can you, associate symptoms with any particular odours? o Yeso No

��. Indicate, if applicable, specific activities related to your work with which you can associate symptoms?

Computing/Usingforms/Photocopying/Printing/ Other(s):



�2. Can you tolerate the products you use for your work? o Yeso No IfNo,indicatethoseproductsthatyoucannottolerate.

�3. Can you associate problems with any specific activities in this building? o Yeso No IfYes,pleaseindicatetheactivity:

Renovations/Grasscutting/Pesticidespraying/Heatingseason/Coolingseason/ Other(s):

�4. What time of day are your symptoms the worst? Morning/Afternoon/Sameallday

What day of the week are your symptoms the worst? Monday/Mid-week/Friday/Sameallweek

What season of the year are your symptoms the worst? Spring/Summer/Fall/Winter/Sameallyear

�5. Additional information / Comments:



APPENDIX 2 – Environmental Hypersensitivity Workplace ChecklistWhenanEHproblemissuspected,areviewshouldbeconductedtodetermineifthereisafactorwithintheworkplacethatiscontributingtoreportedsymptoms.Someitemstoreviewandsituationstocheckfor,areasfollows:• Blockedairventsinwindowbays.Ventsshould

beclearofbooks,filesorplants;

• Furnitureorfilingcabinetstooclosetoheating/coolingunits,andblockingairflow;

• Thermostatsettings.ThermostatsshouldonlybeadjustedbyFacilitiesManagement.Oneunitmaycontrolthetemperatureinotherworkplaces;

• Airsupplyopeningsshouldbekeptclear–tapeshouldneverbeusedtoblockanopening.DraftsshouldbereportedtoFacilitiesManagementforaction;

• Ventilationsystems–ventilationsystemsshouldonlybeadjustedorredirectedbyFacilitiesManagement.Changescanaffecttheaircirculationthroughouttheentireofficearea;

• Spacelayoutchanges–layoutchangesmayrequirethemodificationoftheairdistribution

system–ensurethatFacilitiesManagementisawareofchangestospacelayout,inordertoensurethattheappropriatemodificationstoairdistributionaremade;

• Photocopiersandotherofficeequipmentmayrequireventing;

• Useofscentedproducts,suchasperfumes,aftershavelotionsandhairsprays;

• Scentedproductsusedbythebuildingmaintenancestaff,suchascleaningsolutionsandairfresheners,etc.;

• Officeproductswhichhaveodours,suchaspermanentmarkersandphotocopiercartridges;

• Excessivedustintheworkarea;

• Excessivecondensationonwindows;

• Sourcesofmouldandmildew,i.e.areasofwaterdamage,overwateredplants,poorlymaintainedhumidifiers,etc.



APPENDIX 3 – Building Information Report

GENERAL INFORMATIONBuildingname: Address:

Yearbuildingconstructed: Municipality:

Owner: Occupants:

Numberoftowers: Floorspertower:

Grossrentable/useablearea(m2):

Neighbouringindustriesorfactories:Construction/activitiesnearby:

Typeoftrees/plantsinthearea:

Otherinformation:

AssetManager–Name: Phone:

PropertyManager–Name: Phone:BuildingManager–Name: Phone:



SPECIAL PURPOSE AREAS Atrium? o No Y

Commercialestablishments? o No Y

Cafeteria? o No Y

Undergroundparkinggarage? o No Y #Spaces:

Enclosedloadingdock? o No Y

Printshop? o No Y

Laboratories? o No Y Type:

Photographicprocessing? o No Y Darkroom?o No Y

Storedchemicals

(cleaners/pesticides/refrigerants/other) o No Y

Library/recordsoffice? o No Y

Publicwaitingroom? o No Y

Locker/changeroom? o No Y Showers?o No Y Oftenused?o No Y

Otherspecialpurposeareas? o No Y Ifyes,specify:

MAIN COMPLAINTSLocation:

Timeanddate:

History/details:

BUILDING ACTIVITIESMajorrenovationdates:



Pesticidespraying o No Y Frequency:

Products:

Housekeepingactivities o No Y Frequency:

Products:

HVAC INFORMATIONLocationofairintakesandexhausts Roof/Floor:

Changeoverfrequency: Dates:

Dowindowsopen? o No Y

Mechanicallyventilated? o No Y No.ofsystems:

Economizercycle? o No Y Max%freshair:

HVACovernightshutdown? o No Y Operatinghours:

Controlsystemtype? Manual/Pneumatic/Electronic/DDC

Filtration? o No Y Pad/Pleated/Bag/Electrostatichumidification

Humidification? o No Y Spray/Central/Steam/Electronicsteam

Heatingsystem? o No Y Steamboiler/Waterboiler/Pipedin

Coolingsystem? o No Y Chiller/Refrigerant

Coolingtower? Aircooled_____Watercooled_____

Stand-aloneA/Cunits? o No Y Other:

CoilsinHVAC? o No Y Heating______Cooling_____

Documentationavailable? o No Y

Controlsystemdiagrams? o No Y Sequenceofoperations:

Mechanicaldrawings? o No Y

Balancingreport? o No Y Date:

Floorplans? o No Y Date:



OCCUPIED AREASAirdistributiononfloors? VAC/CV/Heatpump/WindowSupplyairdeliveredthrough? Perimeter/Ceiling(diffuser/slot/coffer)Ceilingpleniumreturn? o No YHeating/Cooling o No Y Perimeter o heatocool Interior o heatocoolClosedoffices%

Otherinformation:



Towards a Scent Reduced University EnvironmentSeptember 1995

STATEMENT ON THE USE OF SCENTED PRODUCTSDalhousie University and the organizations whichrepresent students, faculty and other employeessupport the efforts of the Dalhousie UniversityEnvironmental Health and Safety Committee tocreate a scent-free University. In consideration ofthedifficultiesthatexposuretotheseproductscausesensitive individuals, the University encouragesfaculty,staff,studentsandvisitorstoavoidtheuseofscentedpersonalcareproducts.

Towards A Scent Reduced University EnvironmentAdiscussionpaperpreparedbytheDalhousieUniversityEnvironmentalHealthandSafetyCommittee

BACKGROUND:The Dalhousie Environmental Health and SafetyCommitteerecognizestheneedtomaintainanindoorenvironmentthatsupportstheUniversitycommunityatwork,studyandatplay.AlongwithothermembersoftheUniversity,wehavewatchedwithdistress,theexperienceofstaffofsomeneighbouringinstitutions,particularlyhealthagencies.Andweareawareofthegrowing concern among members of the University

regardingenvironmentalsensitivities.TheCommitteefeels that the University needs to take steps nowto protect sensitive members of the University andpossiblytopreventothersfrombecomingsensitive.

Although many social and organizational factorsinfluencepeopleworkingorstudyinginourbuildings,itisthephysical,andparticularlythechemicalfactorsthatmanyseeashavingaparticularlynegativeeffectonhealth.

Cleardifferencesintoxicityexistbetweenchemicals.Itisalsoclearthatundersomeconditions,anychemicalcanharmindividualpeople.Boththeliteratureandtheexpertsagreethatthereisagooddealofuncertaintyabouttheintensityorpatternofexposurenecessarytoproducethisharm.Itseemsthathealthproblemsthatresultfrompoorindoorairqualityareoftentriggeredbyexposuresthatmostpeoplewouldhaveconsideredharmlessonlyafewyearsago.

Facedwith this situation, theEnvironmentalHealthandSafetyCommitteeconsidersthattheonlyprudentcourseofactionistokeepexposurestoallchemicalsataslowalevelaspractical.

Chemicals are a part of our world. It is clearlyimpractical to contemplate operating a modernuniversityentirelywithoutanychemicalexposure.

Example of an Employer Policy/AdvisoryStatement on the Use of Scented Products (Dalhousie University Environmental Health and Safety Committee)



Ontheotherhand,theCommitteefeelsthatwehavecome to accept, as inevitable, chemical exposuresthat we could actually avoid. The Committee hastargeted some harmful chemical components ofcleaning and personal care products that could beavoided.Avoidingtheseexposureswillrequireeffortsby both the University and individual staff, facultyandstudents.

Inconsideringthekindsofchemicalstowhichweareexposed in Dalhousie buildings, the Committee hasclassifiedchemicalsasfollows:• ChemicalsintroducedintoDalhousiebuildings

fromoutdoorsourcessuchassecond-handsmoke,engineexhausts,pollenandothers.

• Chemicalsreleasedbybuildingequipmentandactivities

- byfurnishingsandofficeequipment

- duringresearchandteachinginScience,Medicine,DentistryandHealthProfessions

- duringfoodpreparation

• Chemicalsreleasedbyoccupantsincluding:

- scentedpersonalcareproductsincludingafter-shavelotions,hairsprayanddeodorants.

- tobaccosmoke

• Chemicalsreleasedbymaintenanceandcustodialactivities

STRATEGIES:The strategies required to reduce exposure willundoubtedly differ from one class of chemicals toanother.TheCommitteefeelsthatreducingexposuretosomeoftheseclasseswouldberelativelystraight

forward. What would be required is the cooperationof the members of the University and little or noexpenditure.ItistheseexposuresthattheCommitteeregards as avoidable. In other cases, reducingexposuremaybemoredifficultormoreexpensive.Atleast for the present, the Committee regards theseexposures as unavoidable. The Committee proposestofocusinitiallyontheavoidableexposures.

In fact, Dalhousie has already made a good starton controlling some avoidable exposures. In 1988,the University introduced a smoking policy thatdramatically curtailed the exposure of members ofthe University to second-hand smoke. Experiencesince 1988 has confirmed that tobacco smokerepresented an avoidable chemical exposure.Althoughtherecontinuestobeoccasionalcomplaintsabout individual breeches of the policy, complianceisremarkablygood.Thiscooperativecompliancehasremainedhighevenaswehavegraduallyreducedthenumberofdesignatedsmokingareas.

Although we have quite successfully addressed thematter of exposure to tobacco smoke, exposure toperfumeshasemergedashealthproblemsformany.Exposuretoperfumescanmakethosesensitivetothesechemicals extremely unwell for example triggeringasthmatic reactionsandmigraineheadaches.Oftenthefragrances,eveninpersonalcareproducts,serveonlycosmeticpurposes.TheCommitteefindsithardtodefendtheseexposureswhentheymakeothersill.

Several neighbouring institutions, particularlythose whose business is health care, have alreadyresponded to those who are sensitive to perfumeswithpoliciesthatcurtailtheuseofscentedproducts.Also so have some Dalhousie units. The Committeefeelsthattherewouldbebroadsupportforextending



asimilarprogramacrossDalhousie.TheCommitteeexpectssupportnotonlyfromthosewhoaresensitivebutalsofromthemajoritywhodonotwanttoharmothermembersoftheUniversity.Therewillofcoursebeafewpeoplewhowillseethispolicyasanintrusionintotheirpersonallives.ButtheCommitteebelievesthatthehealthofpeopleshouldtakeprecedence.

Using unscented custodial products is clearly aqualitycontrol issue thatshouldbeeasilyassessedby management in terms of availability, cost andeffectiveness.Addressingthecontrolofotherclassesofchemicals,someofwhichmayalsobeharmfultosensitiveindividuals,needson-goingdiscussionandeducationwithindepartmentsacrosstheUniversity.

The Committee recommends that the Universitypromote a program that aims to provide an indoorenvironmentthatisasfreeandpracticalfromperfumesandscentsandtodosoinallofitsfacilities.

TheprogramwouldaddressboththeUniversity’suseof cleaning materials and the use of personal careproducts by faculty, staff, students and the publicusers of our facilities. We believe that Universitycommunityistrulysupportiveofthehealthofothers.Asaconsequence,wethinkthatpersuasion,educationandcooperationwillbringabouttheneededchangesinpersonalbehaviour.Inmostcases,weexpectsuchanapproachwillbemuchmoresuccessfulthanonebaseduponregulationandenforcement.

CONCLUSION:TheCommitteeasksforthesupportofDalhousiefaculty,staffandstudentsinthedevelopmentofaprogramthataimstokeepexposurestochemicalsinDalhousie

buildingsaslowaspossible.WiththesupportoftheDalhousieCommunity,theEnvironmentalHealthandSafety Committee proposes to launch a campaignto increase awareness of the scent problem and toencourageallmembersoftheUniversitytoavoidtheuseofscentedproducts.TheCommitteewillalsobeworkingwithPhysicalPlantandPlanningtoreplacescentedproductswithunscentedalternativeswherethey are available. The Committee believes thatleadershipbyDalhousieUniversityonthisissuewouldbe timely and would reflect positively on our publicimageinsupportingeffortsforhealthpromotion.SEPTEMBER1995

Some Unscented Personal Care ProductsInternet Scent Information Resources

Environmental Health NetworkAnextensivecollectionofinformationresourcesforthoseinterestedinscentsandmultiplechemicalsensitivity

Lassen TechnologiesResourcesfortheChemicallyInjured–Productalternativesandotherresources

Health and Environment Resources CenterLinksandpublications(includingarticlesfromScientificAmericanandEnvironmentalHealthPerspectives

Fragranced Products Information Network“AGrassrootefforttoeducateonthechemicalsandthehealtheffectsoffragrancedproducts”



May5,2004

HUMANRESOURCESANDSKILLSDEVELOPMENTBellevilleServiceCanadaCentreInsuranceDirectorateBayViewMall470DundasStreetEastBelleville,Ontario

Scent PolicyTO ALL STAFF

Thefollowingistheofficepolicyontheuseofscentedcolognes,perfumes,cosmeticandhygienicproducts,andotherscent-bearingitems.

Asweareallaware,peoplehavedifferent levelsof toleranceforscent-bearing items.Aprincipalsourceoftroublesomescentsintheworkplacecomesintheformofcolognes,perfumes,cosmeticandhygieneproductsandotheritemssuchasflowers.

Itistheresponsibilityofmanagementtoensurethateveryoneenjoysahealthyandsafeworkenvironment,sowherephysicalreactionsoccurthemattermustbetreatedwiththeutmostseriousness.Thisbeingsaid,personalfreedomisimportantandabalanceisnecessary.Inthisspiritthefollowingpolicyhasbeendesigned.

Effective immediately everyone is asked to minimize the use of perfumes, colognes, and strongly scentedcosmeticsandhygienicproducts.Inaddition,everyoneisalsoaskednottointroduceheavilyscentedflowersintotheirworkareas.Itisnormallythesetypesofscentsthatcausephysicalallergicreactions.

Wearenotlivinginascentfreeworldandtheremaybeoccasionswherenewproductsmightcauseareactiontooneofyourco-workers.Ifanindividualhasanallergicorphysicalreactiontoascent,youmaybeaskedbythatindividualormanagementtowashitofforotherwiseremovetheproblem.

Example of an Employer Policy/AdvisoryScent Policy – Human Resources and Skills Development (Belleville Service Canada Centre)



Alloccasionswillbedealtwithinaccordancewiththeindividualcircumstances.Wherethesafetyandhealthofanemployeeisinvolved,eachoccasionwillbetreatedasaseriousmatter.

Itisourresponsibilityasindividualsandmanagementtoworktowardsasafeandsupportiveworkingenvironmentforall.

Thankyouforyoursupport.

PSAC Awareness Kit on Scent Free Environments (2006)

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Transcript of PSAC Awareness Kit on Scent Free Environments (2006)