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| Employee Health & Wellness |
| Perfume, Pollen, Chemicals, and Bacteria. Does your office need an air quality makeover? |
The scent of Regina’s new perfume wafts through the air to coworkers. Jared, asthmatic, feels his chest tighten and quickly reaches for his inhaler. Julie’s nose itches. She stops to scratch. Ted launches into a sneezing fit.
Sensitivity to chemicals, including perfumes, affects as many as 30 percent of the public. About six percent report an impact on their quality of life. A study from the Louisiana State Medical Center concludes that exposure to perfume can cause rhinitis, sinusitis, migraine headaches, skin irritations, and multiple chemical sensitivity, as well as trigger one in five asthma attacks.
OSHA estimates that 1.34 million office buildings in the United States suffer from air quality problems. Workers inhaling colognes, scented lotions, plant pollen, airborne chemical contaminants, fungi, and bacteria due to poor ventilation or circulation often experience mild to acute health problems.
How can you improve air quality in your workplace?
- Install an air filtering system, or use small air filters for specific workrooms.
- Diplomatically suggest that workers limit use of scented body and cleaning products.
- Speak privately and sensitively to individuals who wear excessive perfume or fail to groom themselves. Ask for their assistance in solving the problem. Medical or cultural issues may be involved.
- Speak to the cleaning crew. Do they use unscented and, if possible, hypoallergenic cleansers? Do they clean and dust regularly? Are vacuums equipped with allergen filtration bags?
- Buy unscented tissues and toilet paper.
- Decorate workers’ areas with silk foliage. Suggest that workers leave plants at home.
- Be sensitive to the needs of victims who suffer severely. Ask them for reasonable suggestions.
A little air quality makeover now can alleviate serious health problems in the future.
Source: Janie Magruder “Smells Like Trouble; Perfumes High on List of Office Allergens” The Arizona Republic HR News shrm.org
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