Green Living Tips 04.26.10
Is Perfume the New Second Hand Smoke?
 You may have heard about Susan McBride, the civil servant in Detroit who recently won a $100,000 settlement with the City of Detroit because they failed to accommodate her allergy to perfume and other scented products. McBride claimed a co-worker's excessive use of perfume and air fresheners made her sick and made it difficult for her to breathe, and after her superiors did nothing to accommodate the complaint, she sued the city and won.
The blogosphere is in a tizzy over this story, pretty much saying something stinks about McBride: why couldn't she just switch offices or work from home? Some also see it as a stunning example of government waste and as just one more reason why the City of Detroit is spiraling to the brink of bankruptcy. The reality is this: excessive use of fragrance is the new second-hand smoke.
This could’ve ended in a more civilized way. According to New York magazine, a survey revealed that 74% of women have an allergic reaction to fragrance at least once in their lifetime. The volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) emitted by fragrance products can contribute to poor indoor air quality and are associated with a variety of adverse health effects. Instead of banning fragrance altogether, the lesson we can learn from this lawsuit is simple; we need to learn the proper do’s and don’ts when it comes to using scented products. Just as much as you wouldn’t blow cigarette smoke into someone’s face if you’re a smoker, you shouldn’t douse yourself with excessive fragrance.
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