M 4.5 Indoor Air Quality

Personally, I feel a fragrance-free policy can only be implemented when it involves products which are for public use. For example, unscented hand-washing soaps in bathrooms, scent-free cleaning products, unscented paper towels, etc etc. Placing a ban on personal products such as deodorants and colognes seems to be very unethical. These products are indeed problematic for asthma and COPD sufferers, but there is, in my opinion, not enough evidence to support a notion for an all-out ban on personal hygiene products at these sites. However, as a parent or health professional trying to raise awareness on the issue- it would be appropriate to address the administration at these institutions. They are the ones who can raise awareness and implement “scent-free” spaces. They could make sure buildings are properly ventilated and use scent free products. I would request that the policy removes all products with harmful fragrances directly purchased using institutional funds. In order to combat the personal product issue, I would ask if there could be signs placed around the institution that read “scent-free zone”. You can get one of these signs from the American Lung Association or the institution could create its own. Educational flyers around the institution about the harmful chemicals in fragrances would raise awareness so that people think twice about what they are using. This approach reduces the health effects associated with fragrances without causing an ethical dilemma.