Fragrances banned in some government offices and hospitals

Providing relief to allergy sufferers and chemically sensitive persons

Public buildings can accommodate allergy sufferers
and MCS sufferers with no-scent policies.

As chemical sensitivity and allergy rates soar, many public buildings have become a “no-scent” zone to accommodate those who may react to strong fragrances and perfumes.

In Tuttle, Oklahoma, city hall visitors wearing perfumes are asked to remain at the front of the building. City workers in Portland, Oregon, have been banned from using fragrance.

A medical center in Bremerton, Washington, also asks employees and visitors to skip scents and to choose less fragrant flowers, and a hospital in Windom, Minnesota has been fragrance-free since 1999.

What is in fragrances and perfumes?

Perfumes and fragrances, or aroma compounds, are chemical compounds that have a smell or odor.

Perfumes can also contain essential oils, solvents and fixatives. The precise formula of commercial perfumes and fragrances is often kept secret.

Evidence in peer-reviewed journals shows that some fragrances can cause asthmatic reactions in some individuals, especially those with severe or atopic asthma.

Many fragrance ingredients can also cause headaches, allergic skin reactions or nausea.

In a two-phase population study published in Environmental Health Perspectives, perfume was one of three main culprits of triggering attacks in people with chemical sensitivities, along with cleaning agents and pesticides.

Source: USA Today, other

Cleaning the air indoors with carbon + HEPA filters

While source control is one of the most effective ways to control irritants and indoor air pollutants, it’s not always possible to ensure that such a ban or policy is followed at all times.

Activated carbon: Best filter for
chemicals, odors and gases.

Fortunately, the right type of air cleaner can provide cleaner and healthier air around the clock and without adding any harmful byproducts to the ambient air.

Electrocorp has developed air cleaners for commercial and industrial applications that feature a powerful activated carbon and HEPA plus optional UV germicidal filtration combo to offer the best overall protection from common indoor air contaminants.

Among other uses, Electrocorp air cleaners can be found in

• Offices and office buildings
• Hospitals and healthcare settings
• Universities and schools

For more information, contact Electrocorp today: 1-866-667-0297.
  

Indoor air quality in malls and stores

Too many perfumes and scented
products can be irritating to shoppers.

Most stores and business owners want potential customers to spend as much time as possible in the mall, to increase the chance of them finding something they would want to buy.

But if there is a problem with the air quality, the shopping experience may have to be cut short.

In a recent incident at the Orlando Fashion Square mall, officials blamed too much perfume as a cause of irritating fumes that affected at least 20 people.

The victims were browsing at a Macy’s store when they started complaining of eye and throat irritation.

Police officers and firefighters and a hazmat team were dispatched to the scene to determine the source of the fumes.

All of the affected shoppers said they felt better once they were outside and away from the perfume scents.

The hazmat team checked for a variety of substances, but could not detect anything dangerous. The investigation was ongoing at the time of writing.

Source: Wesh

Air cleaners for malls, stores and businesses

With more and more people experiencing allergic-type reactions to strong scents and odors, business owners must be vigilant about the indoor air quality in their stores.

A mall’s built-in ventilation system may not be enough to dilute the pollutants found indoors, but a portable air cleaner with the right filters will provide cleaner and healthier air at all times.

Electrocorp has designed powerful air cleaners for commercial and industrial applications that feature a highly efficient activated carbon + HEPA filter combination to remove the widest range of pollutants from the ambient air.

The carbon removes airborne chemicals, gases, odors and fumes, while the HEPA helps control particulate matter. Optional UV germicidal filtration can also help neutralize biological contaminants such as bacteria, viruses and mold.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and more options.