How to be Scent-Free
Now that you understand that exposing people to scented products can cause mild-severe illness in shared spaces, here are some basics about going scent-free. Please share widely so that we can work together to create healthy and inclusive environments.
What are Scented Products?
Singly or in combination, scented or fragranced products cause adverse human affects. When the term "fragrance/parfum" is used on a label this is not a singular scent, but a chemical composition of many undisclosed chemicals. Many of these chemicals are known carcinogens, neurotoxins, and hormone disrupters. There is currently no regulation in the U.S. requiring full disclosure of the chemical composition. Seeing "unscented," "natural," "de-scented," or "fragrance-free" does not necessarily insure that a product does not contain chemical fragrance.
The good news is that the market has grown for personal and commercial products that do not cause adverse human affects. Look at the product labels on any of the products below. If the product does not specify all ingredients individually, you should discontinue use of that product in order to support scent-free spaces.
What Products Contain Chemical Scents?
Personal Products
- Aftershaves and Colognes
- Body Sprays and Perfumes
- Cosmetics
- Deodorants
- Diapers and Diaper Creams and Wipes
- Facial Tissues
- Hair Coloring and Styling Products
- Hand Sanitizers
- Laundry Detergents and Dryer Sheets
- Lotions, Creams, Oils, and Sunscreens
- Shampoo and Conditioners
- Soaps and Body Washes
Commercial Products
- Aerosol or plug-in scents
- Candles, incense, oil or reed diffusers, or potpourri
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Wipes
- Cleaning Powders and Sprays
- Hand Sanitizers
- Hand Soaps
- Odor maskers or deodorizers
- Industrial Products, such as furniture finishes, polishes, building materials, paints, adhesives, cleaners
- Inks and Plastics from Office Equipment
- Whiteboard Markers and Cleaning Sprays
- Window Cleaning Sprays or Wipes