A No-Non-Scents Approach

Purpose

The purpose of this discussion paper is to explore options for the City of Ottawa to implement a scent-free environment in buildings.

Background

Increasingly people are becoming sensitized to chemicals emanated from fragrance and perfumes, including so-called deodorants and after shave-creams. For some people expose to perfumes poses a serious health risk to some 1.8million canadians¹. In our society, people are reluctant to tell co-workers or colleagues that their perfumes are making them sick.

Fragrances are generally complex chemical mixtures which are volatile by nature. Elements of those chemicals disperse in the air remain in the environment for long periods of time and often change as they come in contact with other substances. People can be adversely affected by exposure to scented products.

Situation

Everyone should have safe and healthy places in which to line and work. People should refrain from the use of scented products such as perfumes and aftershave while in buildings. While much progress has been made to improve air quality in buildings, it remains that with less fresh air circulation the impact of scents is increased. The use of scented products has an impact on indoor air quality.

Increasingly, people are more and more sensitive to chemicals in the environment and every day, the use of products is being restricted when health and safety risk are verified. Alerts such as these are becoming more and more routine while people demand more re-assurance regarding product safety. As more information becomes available, numerous stakeholders such as consumer groups, politicians, enforcement agencies and investors are challenging the industry.

Health Canada, in December 2004, published the new cosmetics regulations strengthening the protection of the health and safety of the Canadian public with regard to the use of cosmetic products. Health labels on outside packaging will come into force on November 16, 2006, at which time the regulations will become law. These labels will contain a list of all ingredients used.

Note 1: A 1998/1999 National Population Health Survey identifies 2.5 million people with asthma (www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/ccdpc-cpcmc/crd-mrc/asthma). The Institute of Medicine in a 1986 survey found that perfumes and/or colognes triggered an attack in 72% of asthmatics

Statistics

The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported 21.9 million adults were ever diagnosed with asthma or 10.6% of the adult population (2002). CDC reported 9.1 million children who were ever diagnosed with asthma or 12.5% of all children (2003).

Fragrances are respiratory irritants. People with asthma are likely to have problems when exposed to fragrances. A report by the Environmental Health Association of Nova Scotia mentioned that 72% of asthmatics develop respiratory symptoms when exposed to fragrances. Skim, MD. and Williams, MD. (1986) reported that 72% of asthmatics have respiratory symptoms upon exposure to perfume (“Affects of Odors in Asthma”, American Journal of Medicine, Vol. 80)

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in a 1998 report indicated that an estimated 5.72 million in the U.S. have skin allergies to fragrance. Fragrance is the number one cause of allergies to cosmetics and laundry products. Fragrances are respiratory irritants and have their greatest impact on people suffering from asthma. In Nova Scotia, the asthma rate in school children ranges between 11 and 20% (Citizens for a Safe learning Environment, 15 September 1998).

In 1989 the US National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health identified 884 of 2,983 fragrance chemicals as being toxic substances. The incidence of skin allergy to fragrance has increased with exposure. Skin allergy to fragrance is estimated at 1-2% of the population. There is a direct correlation between use of scented products and development of skin allergy to fragrance (Niels, Moller and Madsen, Danish Environment, Internet Edition 2, September 1996 “Perfume Causes Allergy”).

Municipalities and Organizations

The Halifax Regional Municipality has had a “No-Scent” encouragement program in effect for at least four years. It encourages people to consider that some others may suffer allergies or sensitivities to fragrance found in perfumes, creams, aftershave lotions, hair sprays and other personal grooming products. The policy simply requests people to be considerate of others who may have medical allergies or sensitivities to scented products. It encourages people to use the many scent-free or unscented products that are available on the market. It is not a by-law or any other form of legislation. It is not an enforceable issue, and there are no fines or penalties. The scent-free program is promoted in municipal corporate offices and the City’s public transportation system. The City did a tremendous job in communicating the scent-free program since people think that there is a by-law versus a no-scent encouragement program.

The Province of Nova Scotia has a similar program as the Halifax Regional Municipality. It has a policy in provincial hospitals and the Halifax Regional School Board.

The University of Calgary has a scent-free initiative. It has an education program and provides some basic suggestions about how to deal with a problem arising from the use of scented products. It provides guidelines for students, staff and faculty members.

The University of Toronto has a scent-reduced university environment. The University has an awareness program and is asking for voluntary cooperation towards a scent-reduced environment.

Dalhousie University in April 2002 launched a pilot project for employees of the Killam Library to promote scent-free environment. Following the success of the pilot project, the scent-free program has been extended across the campus (to be checked out).

The School District 8 of Saint John in New Brunswick when it advertises for employment it indicates that it provides a smoke and scent free environment.

The City of Hamilton has published a guideline regarding scented products in the workplace.

The Kingston General Hospital has adopted a scent-free policy effective 01 July 2005. People are asked to refrain from wearing any scented products and/or bringing high-fragrance flowers into the facility.

Les Terrasses de la Chaudière, in Hull has adopted a scent-free policy. The building main tenants are Environment Canada and Indian and Northern Affairs.

Veterans Affairs Canada promotes scent free buildings to improve air quality in its facilities.

The Lung Association offers a model for developing a scent-free policy for the workplace. It offers a questionnaire to do employee survey (http://www.lung.ca/cando/scents.htlm).

Benefits of a Scent-Free Program

A scent-free program can contribute to the wellness of people, reducing sick time and providing a healthy work environment that is free of fragrance chemicals. Poor indoor air quality can affect productivity in an office environment. Such a program will help reduce illness and discomfort suffered by people that are suffering from scent allergies or asthma.

A scent-free program should also be supported by a good indoor quality program. People need to feel a difference.

Possible Courses of Action

There are various options for the City to consider in the process of establishing a scent-free environment.

Ø Option I – Public awareness program – The program basis is education to make the public aware and to explain how to handle situations where a person if adversely affected by the scented products used by others. The program must also explain to the public that scented products are not appealing to all individuals in their broader living environment. The chemicals present in perfume, be it expensive or inexpensive, may cause serious health problems for others. The awareness program should provide information about alternative unscented products that are available. People have the right to breathe clean air and not to be exposed to chemical fragrances causing unnecessary health problems. The City should seek the participation of the private sector to enhance the scent-free program. A scent –free program will work best when it is supported by an education program and community support. This program is necessary since the public has access to City’s corporate buildings. The City should have a scent-free policy for meeting, conferences and workshops in all corporate buildings and OC Transpo buses. The policy could simply request people to be considerate of others who may have reactions or sensitivities to scented products, and urge people to use the many unscented products that are available in stores.

Ø Option II – Mandatory program in City’s corporate buildings – The first step, before having a mandatory scent-free program will be to make employees aware that scented products are considered a sensitive issue. A phased approach will be easier to implement over time starting with an awareness program for a certain period of time (Option I) before going with a mandatory program. The public transit system should also be declared scent-free zone although it will be very difficult to enforce it. OC Transpo should institute a system to receive complaints by bus-route and location that could lead to local corrective action. OC Transpo buses should have a scent-free sign pointing out the health consequences. When a person feels that being exposed to scented products would pose a health risk, the person should inform the driver or transit officials. This option should be considered as the next step after the successful implementation of Option I. This approach will allow time to increase people’s awareness level and build community support. It is suggested that a Committee should be created to oversee this project. Membership should include representatives of management, staff and unions.

Ø Option III – Mandatory program in city and public buildings – The City can have a program for its own buildings. To extend such a program throughout the City will require a by-law against fragrance just like smoking ban. A total ban is not very enforceable. The by-law by itself will not stop people from using scented products. The question is who is going to police the by-law. Strong reactions are expected from the fragrance industry and people that want to use scented products. The challenge is that scented products are not regulated. In addition, some people will wave the individual freedom banner. At this time, this approach is not recommended.

Recommendation

Option I is the first course of action to be followed by Option II. Its implementation will require the development of an education program to increase the awareness level of health risks when exposed to fragrance products. A policy should be prepared and distributed to City’s personnel, posted on the City’s website and posted at key locations in the City’s corporate buildings.