CDC - Fragrances

Fragrance is now an indoor air pollutant, says CDC. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a federal agency, has made a fragrance free policy that applies to all their offices nationwide. The agency issued this policy "in order to protect and maintain safe indoor environmental quality," now establishing fragrance as an indoor air quality issue. The policy is quite detailed. Read the policy at http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/154089

Regarding Personal care products (e.g. colognes, perfumes, essential oils, scented skin and hair products) the policy says "they should not be applied at or near actual workstations, restrooms, or anywhere in CDC owned or leased buildings. In addition, CDC encourages employees to be as fragrance-free as possible when they arrive in the workplace. Fragrance is not appropriate for a professional work environment, and the use of some products with fragrance may be detrimental to the health of workers with chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, and chronic headaches/migraines. Employees should avoid scented detergents and fabric softeners on clothes worn to the office. Many fragrance-free personal care and laundry products are easily available and provide safer alternatives."

As an industry, we spend much of our time in other people's environments. More and more businesses are adopting a fragrance free policy. It elevates the level of professionalism we demonstrate if we respect these issues and adopt the same policy for our own business and employees.

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