All teachers should read this report

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Home : 2005 : January : 11

All teachers should read this report
By Cheryl

I read an article online that I'd like to share the gist of. It was written by
a Canadian author; however, it focuses upon studies and health concerns and
policies in numerous countries. I will focus upon the
U. S. in quoting the
author:
1. "Frangrance is increasingly cited as a trigger in health conditions such as
asthma, allergies, and migraine headaches."
2. "With this increased usage and exposure, there are increased anecdotal and
clinical accounts of fragranced products causing, triggering, and exacerbating
health conditions. Further concerns relate to the bioaccumulation

of fragrance
chemicals in human tissue and the long-term impact. In addition, there are
environmental concerns as fragranced products add to both air and water
pollution."

3. People may tend to think that the products are "safe" to use because they are
on the shelf; however: "There have been no standards established by the FDA as
to what constitutes substantiating safety."

4. What about data on safety and health? "Most available health and safety data
on fragrances chemicals focus on skin effects." Helpful, but hardly comprehensive!

5. "The skin is an entry point for materials into the body. Once entry has been
gained, there is potential for systemic effects."

6. And what about all of the children in the school? Read on: "A study of bronchial asthma among children in Moscow found that children living near perfume factories had a higher incidence of asthma." And: "Perfume was found to
be an environmental factor associated with the development of asthma in children
in the United Arab Emirates."

7. And what of those who wonder why I'm making "a big deal out of nothing?" I am
also thinking of those who say they "can't smell it" even while I am gagging: "Those who use scented products on a regular basis may not be able to detect their own fragrance shortly after applying it. They may apply increasing
amounts or reapply frequently so that they can smell the fragrance. In many instances, they are totally oblivious that their fragrance is often overwhelming and intrusive to others."

8. And now, can you think of any reasons why we should continue the practice of using such products in our schools?: "Virtually every health organization and agency concerned with respiratory health lists fragrances as a trigger for asthma." And: "Coumarin is widely used in fragrances. There was some evidence of it being a carcinogen..." Also: "Most fragrance chemicals have not been evaluated to determine if they are carcinogens." (So, some day we may have lung
cancer as a result of people trying to "pretty" up the schools?) Studies in mice showed: "...decreases in airflow velocity and abnormalities of behavior measured by the functional observational battery score."

To those who use sprays and plug-ins in the school: Use them freely in your homes, but please keep them out of our workplace. Thank you.

This nineteen-page report can be found at http://www.fpinva.org/FragranceReview.

Thank you for your kind words, PJM. I have made an appointment with an allergist/pulmonary specialist for late January. I am hoping that this will result in some changes. By the way, I have worked in other schools in the past, and this is the first time I had had problems in 15 years of teaching. I am now "living" in perfume/spray "heaven."