Perfumes and Fragrances Make Me Sick at Work but Management Isn't Responding -- What Can I Do?

Hi "Buttercup",

Mardy has given you some great information to get started.  Yes, it is totally true that VOCs (any chemical that is given off as a gas, such as plasticizers, construction materials,  cleansers, and many perfumes) have an impact.  

My husband has been working with these issues for over 30 years. He was part of a research team that coined the phrase: sick building syndrome (SBS).  God forbid I bring one of those 'Plugins' into the house!  VOCs actually affect everyone's health, but those who are sensitive are especially susceptable.  

Here is another website that will be helpful; from the EPA: 

Indoor Air Pollution: An Introduction for Health Professionals

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/hpguide.html#faq3 [9]

Sadly, it is quite difficult to legally declare Sick Building Syndrome, but there may be some things you can do for yourself.  

The frequently asked questions part of this webpage may help, and I will copy them here: 

What is "multiple chemical sensitivity" or "total allergy"?

The diagnostic label of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) -- also referred to as "chemical hypersensitivity" or "environmental illness" -- is being applied increasingly, although definition of the phenomenon is elusive and its pathogenesis as a distinct entity is not confirmed. Multiple chemical sensitivity has become more widely known and increasingly controversial as more patients receive the label⁶³.

Persons with the diagnostic label of multiple chemical sensitivity are said to suffer multi-system illness as a result of contact with, or proximity to, a spectrum of substances, including airborne agents. These may include both recognized pollutants discussed earlier (such as tobacco smoke, formaldehyde, et al.) and other pollutants ordinarily considered innocuous. Some who espouse the concept of MCS believe that it may explain such chronic conditions as some forms of arthritis and colitis, in addition to generally recognized types of hypersensitivity reactions.

Some practitioners believe that the condition has a purely psychological basis. One study⁶³ reported a 65 percent incidence of current or past clinical depression, anxiety disorders, or somatoform disorders in subjects with this diagnosis compared with 28 percent in controls. Others, however, counter that the disorder itself may cause such problems⁶⁴, since those affected are no longer able to lead a normal life, or that these conditions stem from effects on the nervous system⁶⁵.

The current consensus is that in cases of claimed or suspected MCS, complaints should not be dismissed as psychogenic, and a thorough workup is essential. Primary care givers should determine that the individual does not have an underlying physiological problem and should consider the value of consultation with allergists and other specialists.

 

Who are "clinical ecologists"?

"Clinical ecology", while not a recognized conventional medical specialty, has drawn the attention of health care professionals as well as laypersons. The organization of clinical ecologists-physicians who treat individuals believed to be suffering from "total allergy" or "multiple chemical sensitivity" -- was founded as the Society for Clinical Ecology and is now known as the American Academy of Environmental Medicine. Its ranks have attracted allergists and physicians from other traditional medical specialties⁶⁶.

What are ionizers and other ozone generating air cleaners?

Ion generators act by charging the particles in a room so that they are attracted to walls, floors, tabletops, draperies, occupants, etc. Abrasion can result in these particles being resuspended into the air. In some cases these devices contain a collector to attract the charged particles back to the unit. While ion generators may remove small particles (e.g., those in tobacco smoke) from the indoor air, they do not remove gases or odors, and may be relatively ineffective in removing large particles such as pollen and house dust allergens. Although some have suggested that these devices provide a benefit by rectifying a hypothesized ion imbalance, no controlled studies have confirmed this effect.

Ozone, a lung irritant, is produced indirectly by ion generators and some other electronic air cleaners and directly by ozone generators. While indirect ozone production is of concern, there is even greater concern with the direct, and purposeful introduction of a lung irritant into indoor air. There is no difference, despite some marketers' claims, between ozone in smog outdoors and ozone produced by these devices. Under certain use conditions ion generators and other ozone generating air cleaners (see www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html [10]) can produce levels of this lung irritant significantly above levels thought harmful to human health. A small percentage of air cleaners that claim a health benefit may be regulated by FDA as a medical device. The Food and Drug Administration has set a limit of 0.05 parts per million of ozone for medical devices. Although ozone can be used in reducing odors and pollutants in unoccupied spaces (such as removing smoke odors from homes involved in fires) the levels needed to achieve this are above those generally thought to be safe for humans.

Can other air cleaners help?

Ion generators and ozone generators (see www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html [10]) are types of air cleaners; others include mechanical filter air cleaners, electronic air cleaners (e.g., electrostatic precipitators), and hybrid air cleaners utilizing two or more techniques. Generally speaking, existing air cleaners are not appropriate single solutions to indoor air quality problems, but can be useful as an adjunct to effective source control and adequate ventilation. Air cleaning alone cannot adequately remove all pollutants typically found in indoor air.

The value of any air cleaner depends upon a number of factors, including its basic efficiency, proper selection for the type of pollutant to be removed, proper installation in relation to the space, and faithful maintenance. Drawbacks, varying with type, may include inadequate pollutant removal, re-dispersement of pollutants, deceptive masking rather than removal, generation of ozone, and unacceptable noise levels.

[At the time of this publication,] the EPA and CPSC had not taken a position either for or against the use of these devices in the home⁶⁷. For more information on ozone generators, read the fact sheet: Ozone Generators That Are Sold As Air Cleaners (see www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html [10]). The purpose of this document (which is only available via this web site) is to provide accurate information regarding the use of ozone-generating devices in indoor occupied spaces. This information is based on the most credible scientific evidence currently available.

They address other questions such as carpets ( which make me quite sick and not only emit VOCs themselves, but aslo act as a "sink" for chemical and biological pollutants including pesticides, dust mites, and fungi.)  and plants to clean the air ( not as successful as one might like) 

There is also a listing of agencies meant to address these issues at the bottom of their page. The first, and maybe most useful, is below:

For assistance and guidance in dealing with known or suspected adverse effects of indoor air pollution, contact EPA regional offices, state and local departments of health and environmental quality [11], and your local American Lung Association [12]  [13] (            1-800-LUNG-USA      ).

More practical aspects in a simpler format can be found in a book called The Healthy Home, by Dr. Myron Wentz and Dave Wentz.  I have written a review of this book HERE [14] on Lumigrate.   Much of the basic research that this book is based on is from my husband's research.   This book gives simple steps for reducing the toxic exposure in our homes, and is quite easy to follow. 

I hope all this information helps.  I would love to connect with you individually, also.  If you wish, you can take a look at my personal blog site at www.robinthomas.biz [15]. or you can email me at robin@robinthomas.biz [16]

Best!

Robin 

Chemical products and body care products are an important topic to discuss, so I'm glad you raised the question. 

We definitely try to minimize all the chemicals we can for our own safety, as well as the patients'. 

I'll talk to you when we get the chance about other issues, related to things along these lines that can also be in the workplace. So look for more from me on this, I'm doing a fast response before I'm off through Christmas.  Happy holidays to all reading at this time!

The gastro-intestinal 'terrain' is critical for health as it is important for the body-wide detoxification process.  We have found that using Immuno Dophilus and Immuno FOS to re-establish the gastro-intestinal “terrain” helps our patients by reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, and allowing for body-wide detoxification.

The liver is physically attached to the GI tract. Simply put, the liver is primarily the body’s “washing machine”. Ideally, it is supposed to convert toxins into water-soluble waste that is then dumped into a healthy GI tract. Some of those toxins are removed by the kidney into the urine and exit the body that way, but we will talk about that elsewhere.

Anyone that is bothered by inhaling fragrances like perfumes or 'scents', solvents (ie. nail polish removers or the polish itself, cleaning materials, or other “chemicals”), or has deep tissue pain (usually muscular) most likely has a “backed up” or overloaded liver. This can vary from triggering a headache to feeling that you don't want to be where you are breathing something your body's telling you it is reacting to. Sometimes this is secondary to a poor GI tract that is letting toxin go straight to the liver and sometimes the liver is just overwhelmed, OR both.

Again, “fixing” the GI tract is fundamentally very important, AND giving the liver the nutrients it needs to metabolically accomplish it's mission and then dump all that trash into a healthy GI tract for removal is important as well. This description is somewhat oversimplified, but fundamentally correct and this is a VERY common issue for people.

Another over-simplification is that liver primarily performs "Phase I" and "Phase II" detoxification. Phase I generally goes pretty well. Phase II, on the other hand, is often where things get “stuck” and toxins begin to back up into the tissues.

OptiCleanse immediately begins to correct these problems. A simple regimen of Immuno Dophilus (2 capsules at bedtime), Immuno FOS (1 teaspoonful daily at any time) , and OptiCleanse (1 teaspoonful daily in the morning) can be the solution for chronic headaches, body aches, and whole host of other health problems.

It is important to note that sometime when this regimen is started, bad things in the GI tract are killed off, toxins start to head for the exit door, and the person may have a “die off/detox” reaction that has been termed a “Herxheimer’s reaction". In other words, you could feel worse than better for a few days. If this happens, just stop everything, make sure that the bowels and urine are moving things out, let the body catch up, and when you feel better just start again. It’s not likely to happen again, but if it does just do the same thing again.

I hope this information has been helpful to you reading at Lumigrate, please follow the link below to our website where we have the products for viewing or purchase if you wish to do so and other educational materials we add, some of which also gets over here at Lumigrate.   

For more detail here on this topic for those who are studying this about the synergistic effect of taking FOS and probiotic, I'll ad this as well: 

People often ask me “If I could only do one thing that would make the greatest, most positive impact on my health (like modulate inflammation, boost immunity, naturally decrease body toxins, fighting cancer, and all other diseases … etc) what would it be?” The answer is simple:  Pay attention to, and take really good care of, your gastro-intestinal tract.

How? A very important first step is taking the best probiotic you can find and feed those probiotics their preferred food, which is FOS. I have used many over the years that were supposed to be the very best. The one I have found that we offer at ITC Pharmacy as we found it gets the best results is Immuno Dophilus. When you feed Immuno Dophilus with highly purified Immuno FOS, they grow huge in strength and number very quickly. This effectively helps restore your “natural inner body guard”, which helps modulate inflammation, helps boost immunity, supports detoxification, and continually pushes your whole body onward and upward toward wellness.

~Allan Jolly, R. Ph

Disclaimer: Any health related information we provide is for educational purposes only. None of the information provided by our pharmacists is to be construed as medical advice. Before applying any therapy or use of herbs, you may want to seek advice from your personal health care professional.

 

Mardy's note: For another piece at Lumigrate on another thing high on the list that applies to MANY people utilizing Lumigrate, as many have have acid indigestion, there is another topic from Allan about why apple cider vinegar actually makes the system more alkaline and gets to solving the reason for getting heartburn. We suggest you look into side effects of taking 'acid blocking' medications. The link:  www.lumigrate.com/forum/acid-indigestion-apple-cider-vinegar-and-water-mixture-aids-digestion-how-versus-acid-blockers [30]  

 

You'll see in detail what my consultation time with people since working with Buttercup again has lead me to focus upon if you follow to this topic I created today in order to have something 'from me' about endocrine disruptors, and why I am tackling this so heavily in the last month.  

Important note, Buttercup contacted me just hours before the trigger was pulled at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut and I'd felt that her concern was SO significant that I was working on our response at Lumigrate while seeing in my Facebook feed that 5, 20, more people were dead from something. So that day seems to have just had a confluence on this topic of the health of the brain and gut, which leads into behavioral and mental wellness/illness discussions and information.  

And simply put, the added stress of that big incident just before the Holidays when people in the US are generally ultra stressed anyway, has lead to more people examining 'what is going on' and realizing the importance of putting TIME and ENERGY (as well as $/insurance resources) to figuring out what is causing their level of wellness/illness and what they want to do about it (or not).  Here is the link to what I wrote today (January 12, 2013) as a new topic thread to build upon as endocrine dysruptors/hormone system is related but a whole separate topic for study.  I find, as you'll read at the link, that it comes attached to talking about foods and drinks and what we put in our mouths versus what we breathe in, and takes us to looking at what the mother had in or going into her body. (Not to indict, so to speak, but to find the causes in order to antidote and correct where possible potentially; as Dr Spurlock's motto/signoff says "there is no one to 'blame', here is only 'take action'.)

www.lumigrate.com/forum/hormone-systems-being-disrupted-chemicals-birth-after-affects-brainbody-profoundly [35]

 Question from Mardy: I've been using this link over and over again with great success and today I encountered someone who was in a similar situation to "Buttercup" in some regards (in terms of it's environmental illness involved), but the exact symptom of Buttercup with the perfume was not something this person 'related to'. In this person's case, the question is about being around a coating as you'd apply to a floor or walls, etc. when remodeling a home or office. Any suggestions, Dr Spurlock? Thank you in advance! 

Lots of household cleaning tips at this link, so I thought it was time I find this topic and add to it and 'freshen it up' or 'dust it off' . Many I'd seen before and a few I've tried, and others were new to me... ... www.homedit.com/31-cleaning-tips-sparkling-home/ [41]

At the link, below, taking you to another place on Lumigrate, you'll see this, for starters on a very in-depth thread which is my attempt to take YOU through the process as it unfolded when I 'learned to test', avoid and remediate any exposures I (or O'Rio the mercury-sensitive dog with canine symptoms life-long similar to mine): (A photo I got of him mid-yawn)....

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Meditation: Evidence Based Psychiatric Treatment, on Mercola.com
By Kelly Brogan, MD

Do you want to powerfully influence your gene expression for the best? Do you want to train your nervous system to maintain a default state of relaxation? Do you want an evidence-based treatment for insomnia, depression, anxiety, and even fibromyalgia? Look no further than meditation.

The featured article on Mercola.com today, February 20th, 2014, entitled Taming the Monkey Mind—How Meditation Affects Your Health and Wellbeing was written by yours truly. A video is included, so please read and watch my exploration of this powerful personal health tool.

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Doctor Kessler's comment when sharing it was this (a very good overview): 
 

To be strong/well, and not be anxious or depressed, you have to avoid the negative, disturbing vibration of any disturbing focus, like a mercury molecule, if you are mercury-sensitive (or aluminum if that's your sensitivity, and so on....), or a dental focus or a scar irritating "the order of your system" .  

If you have a 'bad day', you have to find out where this weakening of your system comes from, and how to take it away or to clean yourself and to be undisturbed again.

Everyone around here (Facebook) thinks: "What information (medications, pain relievers, anti-inflammatories, food supplements) can or do I have to add to help?" The problem is that your order is sometimes so disturbed that your body doesn’t know what to do with the information, and you add so much different information that your body doesn’t know how and where to start organizing it.

Your innermost "material energy" layer, arising from the electrons being passed in metabolism, is disturbed and so weak and the chakras are not connected, and even spin the wrong way! It is not giving you a protective shield nor supplying you with the energy needed for your psychological status.

In other words, "your glass is always half empty instead half full" .... 'your skin is thin' ...... you have to power through to get something accomplished, and this burns you out even more, and then you get anxious maybe, or depressed, or perhaps overly aggressive or afraid, for example."

To which I'd commented about it being a good overview, and the next comment was: 

Super Aufklärung!! danke dir!

 

Now, onto other things he's provided, on Facebook and which I've selected to weave together here in a way I hope is good for most learners wishing to understand this 'tool' for figuring out 'what the heck is going on'!

MCS: Not Multiple Chemical Sensitivies - In My Model it is Multiple Chemical elementS !!

www.lumigrate.com/forum/claus-peter-kessler-md-facebook-learn-test-order-system-disrupted-his-mantra [43]