Our 30th Anniversary - Kelowna in 2006 - in a Scent-Free environment
Our venues for our 30th AGM and Conference are intended to be scent-free to respect our members who are allergic or sensitized to scented products.
Here is some information on how YOU can contribute to and maintains a scent free environment.
Today more than one person in four suffers from some sort of respiratory disease. Many of these people have allergic triggers to their disease. Medical evidence clearly shows that scented products are harmful to the health of sensitive individuals.
Our association is dedicated to providing a healthy environment for our members and staff. Together we can achieve this goal by requesting that all members attending our conference, AGM and post conference classes are fragrance- and scent-free.
This policy reflects the direction that society is moving and communicates the value the association places on our members comfort and health.
The first step to take is not to wear perfume, cologne, or aftershave when going out in public. Your consideration of those around you will be greatly appreciated.
Perfumes, colognes, lotions, soaps, shampoos, hair care products, shaving cream and after shave lotions, deodorants, laundry detergents, fabric softeners, cleaning products, air fresheners and many more products are scented with a combination of chemicals. More than 3,000 chemicals are used in the manufacture of fragrances and of these 80 to 90% are synthetic chemicals and may have toxic effects on the body. A single fragrance may contain 10 chemicals, or as many as several hundred. Many of these ingredients are carcinogenic and some may cause kidney and liver damage. These fragrances are formulated to be strong and long lasting and to linger in the air for hours after the wearer of the perfume has left the room. The numbers of those with sensitivities are growing.
These fragrances hang in the air of a room or area like a misty fog. The molecules floating in the air settle onto furniture, carpets, also your clothing, hair, and your skin. It is also absorbed into your system through the eyes and also the lungs with respiration. When these chemicals are breathed in, they also travel through the olfactory nerves to the centre of the brain where many of the chemical components act as neuro-toxins and can have a disturbing and inflammatory action on the nervous system causing circulatory and electrical activity changes in the brain. They can either have an over-stimulating or sedative effect on the system depending on the chemicals used. The functions of the Autonomic Nervous System may be deranged as well.
Many people are becoming sensitive to these chemical fragrances. Chemical sensitivity is not like an allergy and is very difficult to treat. Avoidance of exposure is often the only answer. These symptoms experienced by many are:
- Fatigue / weakness
- mood disturbances
- depression /anxiety /irritability
- dizziness or faintness
- disorientation
- Nausea / vomiting
- short term memory problems/forgetfulness
- Rashes
- inability to concentrate
- Watery eyes / blurred vision
- anxiety
- Muscle weakness / twitching
- incoherence
- Muscle & joint pain
- in-coordination
- Headaches / migraine
- restlessness
- Swollen lymph glands
- brain fog
- Sinus pain
- irregular or rapid heart beat
- Increase in blood pressure
- asthma is aggravated or asthma attacks are initiated
As you can see, the effects are wide-sweeping and can be very debilitating to the person with sensitivities. The symptoms experienced will depend on the components of the fragrances. Some individuals will experience only 2 or 3, where others who are more sensitive will experience many. To those who do not find themselves sensitive, there is an accumulative effect of the chemical in their body and like cigarettes; one does not know what the long term effects of these chemicals will be.
Feedback from people attending scent-free functions is inspiring. Even those who do not consider themselves to be sensitive enjoyed their experience much more and were able to focus and stay clear headed during the event. They even went on to say they felt better the next day!
Therefore for the good of everyone�s health we want to have this AGM scent free and we thank you for contributing to a healthy environment for all of us.
More information on this subject can be found on these websites, - just a few of many.
www.ourlittleplace.com
http://immune.best.vwh.net
www.chebucto.ns.ca.com
www.fpinva.org/Newsletter/Fragrance%20BrochureFPIN.doc
(an excellent brochure to give to your clients and other interested persons on the toxins in fragrances � a safe download)
www.chebucto.na.ca/Education
www.lesstoxicguide.ca
(An excellent informative website on toxins in scents and safe alternatives.)
www.environmentalhealth.ca
http://members.aol.com/enviroknow
www.uclagary.ca/scentfree/
www.lung.ca/cando/content/consumer_scent.pdf
(lists scent free products)
There are many scent-free and chemically safe products available and we will be happy to provide lists for your convenience, or you can use those listed in the above websites. Some grocery stores carry them as well as many health food stores.
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