MUN says there's no sense in wearing scents

http://www.themuse.ca/view.php?aid=40922

Despite MUN's encouragement, those allergic to fragrances still at risk

By Kenny Sharpe

Thanks to the fear of allergies, peanut butter sandwiches and latex balloons are a high risk in public, but what about your favorite perfume or cologne? Could the spray cosmetic really cause someone to have a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction? The answer is yes.

A female student, who wishes to remain anonymous, stopped by the Muse office last week and indicated that she was sick of people not adhering to the University's scent-free policy, claiming that she had felt dizzy and almost passed out thanks to a fellow student's perfume.

MUN has no official, written scent-free policy, but since 2006 the University has greatly encouraged people not to wear scented products on campus. This is in keeping with a 2001 report initiated by the University's Wellness and Active Living Advisory Committee, which indicated that at the time that four per cent of MUN employees suffered from severe allergies to chemical compounds, like those found in various fragrances.

The policy is implemented through posters and awareness campaigns. The MUN Health Sciences does enforce a scent-free policy.

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