Often loved ones have difficulty with going fragrance-free for someone who lives with mild to serious reactions to chemicals in fragranced products. As you can imagine, this can lead to isolation and feelings of being abandoned for people like myself who miss out on holidays, get-togethers and simple visits.
This is a video I did with my friend, Karyn Buxman when I had to have surgery out of town and needed a place to stay. I wanted to get a candid view of what a friend or family may feel, fear or think when I ask them to go fragrance-free so that we may visit.
I hope that loved ones will see how simple this is and how valuable it is to make a difference in the life of their friend or family member. The Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign is using this video to create more awareness for the millions living with Environmental Illness (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Chemical Injury, Toxic Encephalopathy).
Research done in 2004, 2005 and 2009 by Stanley M.Caress and Anne C. Steinemann “… found that nearly 38% of Americans report adverse effects when exposed to some kind of fragranced product” (Steinemann). With approximately 310 million people in America in 2010, that is almost 117 million Americans who report adverse effects to normal, everyday products.
In fact, a 2010 study investigated 25 common fragranced consumer products such as air fresheners, personal care products, laundry detergent and fabric softeners. They found 133 volatile organic compounds (VOCS) were emitted from these 25 products. Of those 133 VOCs, 24 are “…classified as toxic or hazardous under U.S. federal laws“ (2010 Study, Steinemann).
For more information on the Choose Friendships Over Fragrances project, visit the Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign.
RESOURCES
(2010 Study, Steineman) Steinemann, Anne C., MacGregor, Ian C., Gordon, Sydney M., Gallagher, Lisa G., Davis, Amy L., Ribeiro, Daniel S., Wallace, Lance A. (2010). Fragranced consumer products: Chemicals emitted, ingredients unlisted. University of Washington, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Evans School of Public Affairs, WA. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. Elsevier. xxx (2010) xxx-xxx. EIR-056-86; No of Pages 6.
(Steinemann) Steinemann, Anne C. Exposure Assessment – FAQ. Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Public Affairs. Washington University.
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