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Fragrances and asthma/allergies
I wanted to increase awareness about the dangers of fragrances to those of us with breathing difficulties, and those who are affected by fragrances that are all around us. In my own home, I use cleaning products without fragrances and run a HEPA filter with activated carbon that absorbs chemicals from the air so my home is a safe place to breathe. We built a home with building products that didn't have formaldehyde and without carpet because it triggers my asthma. Going out in public is a problem because I'll be bombarded with all kinds of chemicals. My lungs react quickly and I've started carrying a respirator so when I'm in the car and pass something that bothers me, I can get the respirator on to try to avoid problems. I did use the respirator at a play holding it over my face with a cloth over it so no one could see what it was and it worked, and I put it away after the lights came back on. There were people right near me with heavy fragrances that would have caused an asthma attack. As I understand this, it is the chemicals that help distribute the fragrances that are the big offenders... things like phalates. While traveling this weekend, I was happy to see a sign at a rest area that the soap in the washroom was fragrance free because of allergies to fragrances. That is a step in the right direction. It's my hope that people reading this might consider not wearing personal fragrances in public. Workers in health care often do this to help their patients. I hope that sometime in the future, there is some kind of regulation in the fragrance industry. Ingredients are not disclosed and those of us who are affected can have serious reactions. This is a medical problem. I thank those people who are fragrance free in support of those who are like me.
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I’m so glad I found this thread! I have a tremendous amount of trouble with reacting to chemical fragrances, and it makes social settings challenging. Has anyone found any ways of talking to groups of people to get them to refrain from wearing fragrances? I hate having to miss out on events, but I often have reactions to perfumes in groups.
@melissaazgirl - that's a tough one. I hate to put people out, but I am miserable allergy-wise being in a room with people with various fragrances. In a situation like a choir practice, all the worse, as I will gradually lose my voice.
I find in these types of situations it's best to speak to the person in charge of the event/group privately and see if they will make an announcement about fragrances. In today's climate, I'm finding more and more that they are happy to do so.
How have you handled talking to groups to get them to refrain from wearing fragrances?
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1 Reaction@melissaazgirl Hi Melissa, so sorry you’re dealing with this too. It’s not fun. I find it helpful explaining to people that these fragrances are toxic for everyone and you are hypersensitive to it. 1200 of these chemical chemicals have been banned in Europe and Asia and not banned in North America, including formaldehyde, which makes the smells last longer. Try to explain to them that scented candles, diffusers, fabric softeners, as well as perfumes keep you from joining the group and these chemicals can also have long lasting toxic effects on them as well. They do smell nice, but they’re just toxic chemicals. I have found many of my friends have cleaned these products out of their homes and lives as a result. Good luck to you.
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6 Reactions@lisalucier Thanks so much for your response. It encourages me to keep asking. I have had some negative experiences when I ask people to ask others in groups to refrain from wearing fragrances or to remove an air freshener in a building. Sometimes they basically say that I am just one person who has complained about it, so there is no need to remove the fragrance or ask people to refrain from wearing them. But, I am encouraged by your response, and it’s always worth asking! I’m also encouraged that I’m not alone in this struggle!
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