1There can be up to 500 chemicals in one perfume. In most modern fragrances, up to 95 percent of these chemicals are petroleum-based.
Many of the chemicals used in fragrances are known respiratory and skin irritants. Some of the chemicals used in fragrances have been linked with long-term health problems, such as cancer, birth defects and nervous system disorders, when used in larger amounts.
What Can You Do?
If you want to improve the air quality in your workplace and reduce health problems related to scents, consider initiating a scent-free policy. Here are some tips to get you started:
- It is important to educate all staff and management about why such a policy would be beneficial. If your workplace is unionized, speak to your union too.
- Work with your Occupational Health and Safety Department to develop the policy or guidelines.
- Develop and post a clearly worded scent-free policy. Keep it simple yet specific.
- If you have clients or patients, notify them of the policy prior to appointments and ask them to not wear scented products.
- Make it easy – provide information on alternative scent-free products.
- Develop a communications mechanism, such as notices in payroll envelopes and articles in the company newsletter.
- Consider making other improvements to the indoor air quality in your workplace, whenever possible. For example, make sure there is proper ventilation – open windows (when appropriate); use alternatives to scented office products, such as scent-free markers; and avoid pesticides and harsh, strongly scented cleaning products.
What to Avoid:
- Perfume
- Cologne
- Scented aftershave
- Scented hairspray, hair gels and other styling products
- Scented creams and lotions
- Scented sunscreen and self-tanning products
- Scented antiperspirant and deodorant
- https://www.womenscollegehospital.ca/care-programs/environmental-health-clinic/healthy-environment/ ↩︎
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