The Boise Natural Health Fragrance Free Policy

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The Boise Natural Health Fragrance Free Policy What is the policy? To protect the health of our chemically sensitive patients and staff, we ask that while visiting Boise Natural Health you do not wear any fragrance that is perceptible to others. What is fragrance?

The terms fragrance, scent, and perfume are synonymous; they are chemical compounds which have odor. Unfortunately, when you read the term cfragrance d on labels, there is no clear labeling of what chemicals are actually in the product. Thousands of chemicals can be included in a fragrance, but are not required to be listed on the label.

Why do we have the policy? As a health care facility, we care about our patients and want to provide a safe environment for everyone to enjoy. Approximately 15-30% of the general population is sensitive to some chemicals and 12% is sensitive to multiple chemicals 1 Even if fragrances don 9t seem to bother you, you may want to be concerned for yourself and your family.

. This percentage may be higher for the people who come into our clinic. By not wearing fragranced products into our clinic, you may help promote the health of the person sitting next to you in ... more. less.

the waiting room, or the person who visits our treatment room after you leave. If you are a fragrance wearer, you might want to consider that you are not a good judge of being able to detect fragrance; the longer you smell any one odor, the less your nose can detect it. Unfortunately, what is nice smelling to some people is toxic to others. Many fragrances are potential allergens. In fact, the American Contact Dermatitis Society voted fragrance the Allergen of the Year in 2007. Some fragrant compounds are carcinogenic at high doses and some are listed as hazardous waste by the EPA. Some perfume ingredients, such as phthalates which are used in a wide variety of synthetic personal care products and plastics, are highly suspected of causing reduced genital development in new born boys 2 . Alternatives to fragrance for you and your home: " Look up your personal care products at www.cosmeticsdatabase.com to see what science is behind the different ingredients. " Many stores in the Treasure Valley carry fragrance free detergents, soaps, and personal care products. Be sure to read ingredient labels carefully for hidden fragrance and perfumes (even if it states cfragrance free d or cscent free d). " Natural perfumes made from essential oils. We don 9t promote these to be worn while at Boise Natural Health, but they are a great alternative to synthetic perfume. We thank all our patients for their help in supporting our fragrance free policy. We love to see you, just not smell you! 1 Caress, S. and A. Steinemann A Review of a Two-Phase Population Study of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Environmental Health Perspectives 111( 12), September 2003 . 2 Boy Genital Development Environmental Health Perspectives Volume 113, (8) pp1056-1061. August 200 5 . Some symptoms of fragrance exposure: Skin rashes Shortness of breath Asthma attack Nausea Dizziness Brain fog Confusion Headache Itchy eyes/nose Runny nose Wheezing Coughing Eczema & dermatitis Sore throat Fainting Blood pressure changes Immune system damage Fragrance can be found in: Lotions Perfume Soap Shampoos Deodorants Laundry detergent Hair products Cologne Cleaning products Candles Some food Deodorizers Aftershave

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