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Blog: Perfume/Toxics and Your Rights  



Boundary issues come up a lot with toxics. Is it OK if another wears a perfume that you are so sensitive to that you have to quit your job because they won’t stop wearing it? Where are the boundaries of air?  Is it OK if a neighbor’s pesticide use drifts over to your house and gives you headaches or worse? What if you are pregnant?

The most tragic case I know of that relates to this subject brings the question into stark focus. One of the most beautiful human beings alive was Cindy Duehring. She became severely chemically sensitive after being poisoned by flea bombs, and went on to be so sensitive that she couldn’t go outside of her home, the entire house was covered in aluminum foil to block out all fumes, and she had the most heavy duty whole house air filter available.

In a quest to help others and herself, she was an avid researcher into the causes of multiple chemical sensitivity, and her newsletter ultimately drew enough attention that she was awarded the Alternative Nobel Peace Prize. She found much grace in her work, and it was her salvation in a very isolated life.

A neighbor of Cindy’s wanted to spray pesticides on his lawn and Cindy’s husband and another neighbor begged him not to. He said he had the right to do what he wanted, claimed Cindy was a psychiatric case, and he went ahead and sprayed his lawn. Cindy was dead within a few days.

Her death has always grieved me, both for the world’s loss of her, and for the man who most likely poisoned her, as he has his own conscience to live with. (Note that I do not I have proof that his pesticides killed her.)

I believe that the issue of toxics boundaries is one of human rights, and that the right answer is that the boundary would protect the person who is sensitive.

 
What do you think?

Posted: Tuesday January 10, 2006, 11:14 am
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Falcon S. (139) 		Tuesday January 10, 2006, 11:21 am
again not that this really helps, but soem intersting info..
One bottle of perfume on the average contains at least 10 suspected toxins.

Perhaps if people knew more about what they are wearing/using we would not have so many 'boundary issues'

LadyandCodys Sanctuary (278) 		Tuesday January 10, 2006, 3:16 pm
I understand completely what you mean in regards to the perfume problems or any body product that contains perfumes. However, while I agree that there are people who are sensitive to perfumes due to breathing problems and such, I think there are alot more people who appear to be senittive to it due to the strong scent that it gives off and even though perfumes may or may not contain toxins that are not good for ones body, I think it is more likely that more and more people are sensitive to the smell of perfumes because most women and men do not know how to apply them properly...I, being asthmatic, I have a horrible time going down the soap isle's at supermarkets and perfume isle's in department stores and such because of the great concentration that these perfumes put off when all clumped together, yet I do and have no problem with using alot of the perfumed type soaps on the market and being around people who do know how to apply their perfume correctly...I find that most people will buy perfume and just automatically spray it on their neck or wrist and other pulse type points rather then spraying some in the air and then just stepping under the mist that is falling down (which give's a much lighter and less offensive and less nasal irritating scent)... This way they don't smell like they took a bath in the stuff and it is less offensive and less irritating to the more sensitive nose...

LadyandCodys Sanctuary (278) 		Tuesday January 10, 2006, 3:16 pm
I understand completely what you mean in regards to the perfume problems or any body product that contains perfumes. However, while I agree that there are people who are sensitive to perfumes due to breathing problems and such, I think there are alot more people who appear to be senittive to it due to the strong scent that it gives off and even though perfumes may or may not contain toxins that are not good for ones body, I think it is more likely that more and more people are sensitive to the smell of perfumes because most women and men do not know how to apply them properly...I, being asthmatic, I have a horrible time going down the soap isle's at supermarkets and perfume isle's in department stores and such because of the great concentration that these perfumes put off when all clumped together, yet I do and have no problem with using alot of the perfumed type soaps on the market and being around people who do know how to apply their perfume correctly...I find that most people will buy perfume and just automatically spray it on their neck or wrist and other pulse type points rather then spraying some in the air and then just stepping under the mist that is falling down (which give's a much lighter and less offensive and less nasal irritating scent)... This way they don't smell like they took a bath in the stuff and it is less offensive and less irritating to the more sensitive nose...

Jennifer R. (5) 		Wednesday January 11, 2006, 7:43 am
Wow, I too am sensitive to a lot of environmental things, as well as certain perfumes, etc. This was very interesting & of course sad to know that this happened. I understand the neighbor's point of view and in most cases I would say the majority of society would have reacted in the same way to his neighbor's request, sadly. I hope this will shine some light for people who have no idea how chemicals, perfumes & the environment are actually poisioning some people. I also have asthma so a lot of these environmental toxins etc. affect me in a very bad way besides, skin irritation. Many perfumed items I cannot be around (plug ins, carpet freshner, etc. to name a few). I totally can sympathize with individuals who are sensitive, especially ones that are hypersenstive. I think society is very ignorant to these facts & we need some type of system to educate people about this growing issue. Mystic Moon also has a good point, I can wear certain perfumes also,even with being an asthmatic, but some people do not know how to apply perfumes, etc. and that can be problematic.

Cheryl B. (140) 		Wednesday January 11, 2006, 12:03 pm
I am deeply saddened by Cindy's death. I believe the neighbour's lawn meant more to him than causing distress to another human being. I also believe the choice he made resulted in her death.

I am a person who had to transfer to a different office from a job I enjoyed, because of a woman who had the same mind-set as Cindy's neighbour. She insisted that it was her right to wear perfume, even after being told that it caused me headaches, sore throat and eyes, nausea, inability to take deep breaths and more. Perhaps hormonal changes caused me to suddenly be so sensitive, as I used to like to wear perfume when I was younger. I cannot use any scented products now, or I will break out in a rash. There must be many people suffering from this because unscented deodorants are just about always sold out! When I circulated a notice about my problems in the new office, a number of men came to me and said, "Thanks" because some of them suffered from similar reactions but didn't know how to mention it to the ladies in the office.

Thank God this problem has now been studied enough to prompt many doctors and workplaces to request that clients/patients not wear perfume.

I believe that many children who are diagnosed with having asthma and other respiratory problems, are actually allergic to perfume and other scented products. Take away those toxins and the child might be able to breathe.

Thanks Annie, for another great writing.
Cheryl


Past Member (0) 		Wednesday January 11, 2006, 4:05 pm
I know toxic issues can become very complicated. What kind of society have we become that we do not even care that we could cause someone's death? What happened to plain old common decency and giving a damn?
Thank God we live in the Busch in Northern Ontario we don't spray anything up here. At least no one I know. We just let nature take it's course, the more wild the better.
I send my sympathies to you in the loss of your friend.

Linda T. (5) 		Wednesday January 11, 2006, 7:43 pm
If anyone told me they were asthmatic,or seriously ill like the lady mentioned above,I would discontinue spraying toxic lawn or insect products on that side of the house that neighbor lives,and try to purchase natural products.Why are those natural products so expensive though? I've seen personally how a family member suffered from asthma which led into bronchitis,it is excruciating.

Patricia Finley (7) 		Thursday January 12, 2006, 10:06 am
i have worked the last 2 years a s a cashier,there is only one perfume,that realy gets me to sneezing and wheezing,and unfortunatly the lady comes in every day,there is nothing i can do about it,but my boss does come and relieve me about the time she comes in,thank heavens for a good and caring boss.i realy cant think how we could assert our selves,with personal smells,if any one ever comes up with asolution let me know,i hate taking alergy tablets. patty finley

Elise Hutley (0) 		Thursday January 12, 2006, 2:42 pm
It was really interesting to read your ssubmission and everybodies comments. Sensitivity to products has reached an alltime high because of the toxins contained in EVERYTHING!!! Companies are not required to list absolutely everything, and even if they were, do you think they would.. I can no longer use ANY household cleaning products as they make me cry, cough, sneeze, and really really affect my asthma. Until I found Melaleuca (products based on the oil from the Australian Melaleuca Gum tree thingy) I was paying someone else to clean my house. I found that they are expensive short term, but work out far cheaper in the long run. If anyone, wants anymore information you can visit, www.melaleuca.com

Olena K. (17) 		Friday January 13, 2006, 4:48 pm
Your example about Cindy gives me pause to count my blessings that my sensitivities aren't that severe. However, I AM sensitive to a LOT of things (chemicals, drugs, foods, pollens, etc.) and have to be very careful and mindful of what I consume, use and am around. My last place of employment was beginning to be a serious health problem for me. Fortunately for me, my position was eliminated before the problem escalated, leaving me unemployed, but healthier because I didn't have to come in to work in a sick building where some coworkers were using 'air cleaner' sprays (causing me to have to nebulize), among other things. Also, there were some men and women who insisted on marinating themselves in aftershaves, colognes, perfumes and heavily scented hygenic products before coming to work.

LadyGayle B. (482) 		Saturday January 14, 2006, 7:43 am
Annie, Thank you for this blog. I am having to move from a neighborhood that would rather have people use chemicals and toxins rather than plant natural habitats - LAWN is now a 4 letter word in my vocabulary. Oh, you can see the metro Atlanta water resevoir from here! Everytime it rains, I watch the toxins wash into the storm drains that empty directly into that water. How are we "mine canaries" expected to live in this environmental toxic soup?

Mary J. (0) 		Saturday January 14, 2006, 7:57 pm
Hi Annie,
I am Multiple Chemical, Perfume & Food Sensitive - I've read your story. It's an unforgiving world out there at times. I almost cried when I heard that person had died, and I felt I could have throttled that neighbour!(even if his pesticides didn't do it - HE STILL DIDN'T LISTEN!! If only people would listen!! That is one of the toughest things with people like us. Most people (including medical) think we are making it up! I'd want to tell them,
"Walk a mile in our mocassins and have the condition that we have!" - and see how they like it?! And see if we are making it up, then!! It makes me so mad at times - you just want to scream!! Mary, New Zealand

Mary Kloss (0) 		Monday January 23, 2006, 7:03 pm
I two have MCS. I'm fortunate that the other tenants in my apt. building try to be considerate, but I still am ill tbe majority of the time. I can't work because of this condition and so haven't been able to find a house that I can afford to rent, which would at least allow me to better control what comes into the house.
I believe it will take many years, as it did with cigarettes, before the majority of people understand that these chemicals, including perfumes and after shaves, that are used on a daily basis are causing many of the conditions that people are suffering from.
I have read that in Halifax, Nova Scotia if someone comes to work or school with fragrance they must go home and shower before returning rather then the person with MCS having to leave, and so maybe someday there is hope for the USA having more people that will be considerate.

Tanya R. (118) 		Sunday January 29, 2006, 10:14 am
I like a cologne called "Sand and Sable". I wore it to work one day and my co-worker began sneezing bad. I went into the bathroom and disgreetly tried to wash it off. I never wore it to work again.
I also treated my house for termites last spring. The product "Premise" does not have any odor. My house is very close to my neighbor's, and they have a dog. Although I treated with a foamer through small holes through the wall above the baseboard, I told my neighbors in advance.
(we have that "zero property line thing".)
I'm sure my nextdoor neighbors would do the same for me.
I feel we have a responsibility to protect those around us from harm that we might cause.

Judith Ann G. (120) 		Friday February 3, 2006, 5:29 pm
So sad really! My son can not handle certain room scents people use, nor can he be around those wearing heavy perfume, he can not breathe and has to leave the building. So I do understand what Cindy was going through! Thank you for sharing!
Raven

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