Professor of chemical engineering urges students to go fragrance-free

Posted on Feb 03, 2010 by Susie Collins in Blog, MCS, Susie Collins

Chemical engineering professor at the University of New Hampshire encourages students to “be considerate to human canaries and help them to enjoy life to the fullest.”

Ihab Farag, professor of chemical engineering at the University of New Hampshire and member of our Canary Report community, wrote a letter to the editor at his school’s student paper to raise awareness about chemical sensitivity. And they published it! I’m a huge supporter of letters to the editor. Bravo, Ihab!

Many of us are familiar with canaries, the beautiful, colorful birds that tend to sing most of the time. Canaries also saved many human lives in coalmines. This is because canaries are much more sensitive to toxic gases than humans. Miners would take canaries with them in the coalmine. If the canary stopped singing and fell (or died), the miners knew to leave the coal mine quickly to safety.

There are individuals who have developed a very strong sensitivity to many common chemicals. These people can be very negatively affected and irritated by fumes, chemical cleaners, disinfectants, cigarette/cigar smoke, engine exhaust, solvents, etc. These people are often called “Human Canaries” of the modern world, because of the chemical sensitivity similarity to that of Canaries. Human Canaries of the 21st century tend to be very strongly irritated by everyday chemicals like perfumes, hair products, shampoos, shower gels, after shave lotions, antiperspirants, deodorants, hand sanitizers, chap sticks, finger nail polish, etc. Human canaries look the same as other people, and when you see one you probably will not recognize he or she is a human canary until an offensive toxic chemical triggers his or her sensitivity.

Please be considerate to human canaries and help them to enjoy life to the fullest. One way you can help the human canary and at the same time lower your exposure to undesirable chemicals, is to go fragrance-free: avoiding perfumes, and fragranced personal care products.

Ihab Farag
Professor, Chemical Engineering Department

Link to Dr. Farag’s home page at the University of New Hampshire.

Canary photo credit

  • Share/Bookmark

If you enjoyed this post, please read these related stories:

  1. Poster for fragrance-free hospital care This poster was designed as a public service project for patients requiring in-hospital care at...
  2. New website launched on fragrance-free living New website warns of the dangers of toxic fragrance in personal care products and other...
  3. In the news: EPA, students’ health, and green salons Flock to these reports! USA Today reports the EPA gives Congress a heads-up on toxic...
  4. Dutch book on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity now published in English Els Valkenburg of the Netherlands reports that her book entitled Understanding Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Causes,...

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

16 Responses to “Professor of chemical engineering urges students to go fragrance-free”

  1. Sandra Pawula

    03. Feb, 2010

    This is a beautifully written letter. Thank you so much. I posted the link on my Facebook page and the letter on my spiritual community site. I feel the more people who can read this letter, the better!

    Many thanks, Sandra

    Reply to this comment

  2. Keith

    03. Feb, 2010

    That’s a great letter for the MCS archives!

    Reply to this comment

  3. Sandy

    04. Feb, 2010

    I like this. Its very simple and to the point. I have posted this on my blog on Sparkpeople.

    Reply to this comment

  4. Mary

    04. Feb, 2010

    Ditto, will post on my FB group.

    Reply to this comment

  5. CatherineWO

    04. Feb, 2010

    Thank you for writing this. It’s polite, simple and to the point.

    Reply to this comment

  6. jacki

    04. Feb, 2010

    THANK YOU for such a kind loving letter.
    I appreciate your words and wisdom..
    I will share this letter with everyone I know

    GOD BLESS
    love jj

    Reply to this comment

  7. Connie Rae

    04. Feb, 2010

    Again, Thank you , Professor, for speaking out on our behalf in such a kind and gentle way.
    Blessings, Connie Rae

    Reply to this comment

  8. Eko Noble

    05. Feb, 2010

    Just discovered that Portland State University implemented this policy. This is very good news and the word deserves to be spread.

    Eko

    Portland State University-Fragrance-Free Value Statement

    http://www.pdx.edu/hr/fragrance-free-value-statement

    Background

    The ingredients in many fragrances and scents are known to irritate the respiratory tract, nervous system, and eyes; lower immunity to disease; and trigger allergies and other severe health reactions. In the case of asthma and epilepsy, reactions triggered by exposure to scented products can be life-threatening.

    Value

    Portland State University supports sustaining healthy indoor air quality. In the interest of promoting the health and safety of the University’s students, faculty, staff, and visitors, the campus community is encouraged to maintain a fragrance-free environment. Please refrain from using scented personal care, laundry, and cleaning products. Thank you for your consideration of others in providing an environment in which every person on campus can feel safe and comfortable.

    What Can Supervisors Do To Respond to Employee Concerns About Fragrances?

    • For more information on the prevalence of allergies and asthma and the effects of these health conditions, please refer to the website for the Allergies and Asthma Foundation (http://www.aafa.org/).

    • A table tent message is available through Human Resources for display in departments to encourage voluntary compliance with this value. If you do not have the table tent, please contact the Human Resources Department at ext. 4926.
    • The PSU Professional Standards of Conduct policy outlines, among other things, a university goal to maintain a respectful environment for employees, students and faculty. This can be a helpful reference if concerns arise.

    • Most employee performance expectations outline expectations related to maintaining positive working relationships and can serve as another good reference point in discussions with staff.

    • If concerns persist about maintaining a fragrance-free environment at PSU, please contact either the Safety Officer or a Human Resources representative to discuss possible solutions and/or strategies to respond.

    Reply to this comment

  9. Dorothy Valone

    05. Feb, 2010

    I hope the world hears Professor Farag.

    Reply to this comment

  10. Susie Collins

    05. Feb, 2010

    Thank you, everyone, for all your kind comments in support of Ihab’s letter! He’s given permission for anyone to use his letter as a template to help spread Multiple Chemical Sensitivity awareness. Isn’t that nice of him? Very inspirational. Please share!

    Reply to this comment

  11. Sherry

    06. Feb, 2010

    Wonderful letter, but I would have added information as to what many “fragrance” products are comprised of. I find that when I explain this to those not “seemingly” affected – they understand and some avoid for themselves, these highly toxic products.

    Reply to this comment

  12. Ihab Farag

    06. Feb, 2010

    Thank you all for your kind words and comments. Thanks to Suzie for the link to this blog.
    Anyone can feel free to use the letter as is or add what they see fit.
    Have a nice day.
    Ihab

    Reply to this comment

  13. Jeanne

    13. Feb, 2010

    Susie,

    This is awesome!!

    Jeanne

    Reply to this comment

  14. Angelique

    21. Feb, 2010

    Wonderful letter!

    Reply to this comment

Leave a Reply