According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Chemical Sensitivity needs to be considered when constructing or remodeling HUD housing developments. A couple months ago, conservative talk-show host Mark Steyn talked about how preposterous it would be if ADA required scent-free workplaces. While it seems a bit over-the-top, I work with thousands of Chem Sensitive individuals across the country and this concept would be a breath of fresh air...pardon the pun. Most perfumes and colognes contain dozens of chemicals that can negatively affect even non-sensitive individuals.
So, If it's OK to ban smoking in the workplace, why not perfume?
I've always championed the concept that green building is not necessarily healthy building. In my opinion, what good does it do to save the environment, if we are still poisoning the human occupants? But, would this type of regulation go too far?
I'm not picking sides on this one yet, so I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this subject.
Should Chem Sensitivity be covered under ADA?
Wednesday, 07/27/2011 | Posted by Andrew Pace
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Andrew Pace Here in Wisconsin, a ban on smoking in public places went into effect last year. While I am completely against the government meddling in the rights of business owners, I have to admit that it sure is nice to dine at a nice restaurant without smelling cigarette smoke from the bar. That said, I'm still not convinced that we should regulate these things. I would hope that people would be courteous and cut down on the perfume if a co-worker complained.
07/28/2011 -
Steven Russell I started to write a comment here and then I stepped back and really thought about this....could you imagine how this would be policed? What do you do to a violator? Really, I think this is taking this wayyyyyyyyyyyyy too far. I think we could do an awareness campaign so that people think about spraying on too much and how it affects those around them but other than that....lets leave this one alone. Our government has way too many other things they should focus on!
08/01/2011 -
Andrew Pace I agree Cynthia. I think the best policy would be to have the businesses address this as they see fit. In my store, for instance, we posted a small sign requesting that all customers refrain from excessive perfumes or colognes out of respect for our chemically sensitive clients. We also request that parents watch their children, but that's another blog
08/01/2011 -
Larry Jaques No new gov't regs, please, BUT, I hope and pray that -all- businesses put up the signs requesting that their customers refrain from using excessive scents. My mother's retirement residence in NorCal has a ban on scents, and dining with here there in the dining room is now pleasant. "Nice perfume, Maam. MUST you marinate in it?" "Waiter, could you replace my meal. Your marinated thumb left so much cologne on my plate that my food tastes like you smell."
08/10/2011