Insights, Blogs & News
Going Fragrance-Free in the Workplace
A Fragrance-Free Zone is a smoke, fragrance and chemical free area, designed for those who report mild to serious reactions to these items. Adding a Fragrance-Free Zone can help many in our community work and frequent your establishment in comfort. At first glance, we may think there are enough people who struggle with these issues to justify the hassle of providing a Fragrance-Free Zone. However, for every 100 people in America, there is an average of 10 with asthma, 20 with an autoimmune disorder and/or 12.5 with MCS. Read Pamphlet, “Creating a Fragrance-Free Zone – A Friendlier Atmosphere for Those Living […]
Going Fragrance-Free at Home
Approximately 12.6% of the population lives with multiple chemical sensitivities -also known as Toxic Injury, Toxic Encephalopathy or Environmental Illness (Adams). In 1998 it was estimated that 26.3 million Americans live with asthma, in which up to 72% report their asthma is triggered by fragrances (ALA). “’Even if the general population isn’t likely to suffer acute effects from exposure to fragrances, there are long-term chronic health effects connected to these chemicals that we don’t fully understand yet,’ says [Carrie] Loewenherz,” an industrial hygienist for the New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (Lyman). Read and Order Pamphlet, “Why Go Fragrance Free? […]
A Gadget Guru’s Paradise
“A gadget guru’s paradise. Really?” A medical office? As soon as I was called back into the inner sanctum for my appointment, I knew something was different. This was merely the warm up act. I walked over to the scale. While not exactly a gadget, it was creatively updated. Ready to step up and onto the scale, I realized there was no need. The floor was cut to accommodate the base of the scale. It was set down in, flush with the floor. The ease of use was an unexpected treat for those of us dealing with mobility issues. Explained […]
Study Reports Fragrance Sensitivities in the U.S.
In 2009 a study was released to reveal the percentages of people reporting they experience adverse effects from scented products such as air fresheners and laundry products vented outside. . Researches, Stanley M. Caress and Anne C. Steinemann discovered that, “…30.5% of the general population reported scented products on others irritating, 19% reported adverse health effects from air fresheners, and 10.9% reported irritation by scented laundry products vented outside.” Of course they also found that the percentages were higher with those with asthma and chemical sensitivity (Prevalence of fragrance sensitivity). Read More Here! ARTICLE RESOURCE: Caress, SM, Steinemann, AC (2009) […]
Study Examines Asthma and Chemical Hypersensitivity
Researchers, Stanley M. Caress and Anne C. Steinemann released a study in 2009 to examine cases of asthma and sensitivity to chemicals in fragranced products. The study found that “Among asthmatics, 38% report irritation from scented products, 37.2% report health problems from air fresheners, and 13.6% report their asthma was caused by toxic exposure.” Toxicology and Industrial Health 2009; 25: 71–78 (Asthma and Chemical Hypersensitivity). Read More Here! ARTICLE RESOURCES: Caress, SM, Steinemann, AC (2009) Asthma and chemical hypersensitivity: prevalence, etiology, and age of onset. Toxicology and Industrial Health 2009; 25;71. Sage Publications. PDF on University of Washington Libraries Website.
Recommendations for Buildings and Transportation
Read about the U.S. Access Board, Barriers and Issues, Recommendations, Report on Environmental Quality and more. “The Access Board is an independent Federal agency devoted to accessibility for people with disabilities. Created in 1973 to ensure access to federally funded facilities, the Board is now a leading source of information on accessible design.” Read Full Article Here ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Asthma and chemical hypersensitivity: prevalence, etiology, and age on onset- Study by Anne C. Steinemann Creating a Fragrance-Free Zone – A Friendlier Atmosphere for Those Living with Environmental Illness Fragrance Tidbits Information Sheet Model for Fragrance Free Health Care Policy Prevalence […]