Scent Awareness

The Air We Share Poster 2023 ‌

Scents

We usually think of scents as the smells or odours from cosmetics such as perfume, shampoo, deodorant, body spray or from other products. However, the issue with scented products is not as much the smell as it is the chemicals that produce the smell. There are more than 4,000 chemicals that can be used in scented products and a typical fragrance can contain between 100 to 350 chemicals, some that can cause health concerns for people with allergies to those chemicals.

Many people are extremely sensitive to perfumes, colognes, aftershaves and other scented products. Please do not wear them while you are on Campus.

Products that traditionally contain scents and chemicals

Shampoo, conditioners, hairspray
Air fresheners and deodorizers
Industrial and household chemicals
Colognes and aftershaves
Fragrances and perfumes
Lotions and creams
Soaps
Deodorants
Cosmetics
Candles

Scent Awareness Links/Resources

The following websites offer more information on chemical sensitivities and scent-free initiatives. They are meant to give you an idea about the current information and discourse available on these topics. What is expressed in these pages does not necessarily reflect the University's views.

Canadian Centre for Occupational Health & Safety

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/hsprograms/scent_free.html

Lung Association

https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/air-quality/indoor-air-quality/scents

Perfume in the Workplace

http://canadasafetycouncil.org/workplace-safety/perfume-workplace

The NS Health Authority has produced a resource binder that explains fragrance free products and provides examples of fragrance free products that you can purchase for your own personal use.

To provide a balanced approach:

http://www.cmaj.ca/content/183/6/E315.full.pdf

If you have any questions or comments on the information above please email us.

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