Dear Aunt Jobby: Colleague stinks so much she’s making me sick
julie | Jul 02, 2009 | Comments 9
Too much for the office? Perfume makes us sick
Dear Aunt Jobby
A colleague wears so much perfume that when we pick up her phone to answer it, it reeks. When she leaves a room, she leaves a trail behind her. I don’t mind the smell but some colleagues really hate it. One even claims it is making her sick, literally.
It is better that she smells perfumed and nice than unwashed and rank, but hey, she stinks in the nicest possible way.
What should I say? We work in a small office so it affects everyone. This is really getting up my nose.” — CMcM, Seattle, WA.
Thanks CMcM. Handling a poopy baby sounds easier than dealing diplomatically with smelly colleagues. I’ve referred your question to a stinky expert, no, joking, an expert on people with heightened sensitivity and allergies to the chemicals in perfume.
Susie Collins writes the TheCanaryReport.
“Several studies indicate that 15-30% of the general population report some sensitivity to chemicals, including fragrances, and 4-6% report that chemical intolerance has a major impact on their quality of life,” reports Susie’s site.
“This is an issue about the toxic chemicals in modern perfumes.”
Susie says, “I would just like to point out that the either/or option the questioner proposes of wearing perfume OR being unwashed and rank is false. People can wash with nontoxic soaps and be perfectly clean without using additional perfumes. There are many nontoxic deodorants on the market. Further, I’d like to clarify that this is not an issue of the smell of perfume, this is an issue about the toxic chemicals in modern perfumes and fragrances. That is what people are reacting to and that is what is impacting health, not just those of us who are exquisitely sensitive.”
A growing number of people claim that exposure to certain fragrances, including perfumes and scented products, adversely impacts their health.
They report symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, shortness of breath, difficulty with concentration, and allergy-like symptoms, as this article suggests.
Aunt Jobby’s advice: Pull your colleague aside and whisper in her ear that her perfume is wonderful, but she’s a walking bio-hazard. If that doesn’t work, give her a copy of the article suggested by Susie and ask if she could try doing without perfume for a few weeks. Maybe she could see it as her own personal Lent for the recession. If all else fails, you could all chip in to buy her some perfume suitable for people who are sensitive. I am sure Susie could help with some advice.
Filed Under: Featured • Managing Your Career • Working Moms Resources
About the Author: Julie Power is a writer and editor with experience in both the United States and Australia where she was born and worked on newspapers for many years. She is currently the editor in chief of The Internet Marketing Report and the Internet Marketing Report blog at www.eIMR.blogspot.com. She lives with her husband and twin boys (7 years old) in Bethesda, MD. She is one of the oldest mothers in her neighborhood but often the silliest. She works full time but from an office in her home, a big change to sweating it out in newspapers for many years.
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Has anyone mentioned this to a supervisor?
She’s probably just so accustomed to the smell that she doesn’t realize how strong it is (though it’s also a real possibility that she’s losing her sense of smell in general).
I’d just take her aside and tell her, “I just thought you should know that your perfume is nice but it’s REALLY strong.”
She’ll probably be happy to hear the truth from someone.
Meg from FruWiki´s last blog ..Special:Log/delete
That’s a tough one… but if you are offended, you just have to say something. The un-spoken feelings are there and won’t be ignored. I do agree that the point to make is about the synthetics. They persist in the environment, are known carcinogens and hormone disruptors. The average person bathes and annoints themselves with poisons regularly. I can hardly believe they would do this if they knew…
Thank you for covering this very important issue.
The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is a great place for workers to go for support on how to work with management and HR depts on creating a healthy work environment with good indoor air quality. JAN also has good info on creating alternative work spaces for sensitive individuals, with clarifications about workers rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act. http://tinyurl.com/d92evc
Thanks again for exploring this issue in a serious and respectful manner!
Susie Collins´s last blog ..A Chemical Reaction
I’m one of those who get sick for days from unbelievably small exposures to fragrances. I am forced to stay home except for brief forays for groceries, and I still ‘zapped’ on a regular basis.
I believe that people who wear heavy perfumes and can’t imagine life without them are actually addicted to them. Just ask them to stop and watch the angry, defensive reaction: very much like that of smokers and alcoholics when pressured to quit.
Thank you very much for posting this important article! Whether it’s in the workplace, in the waiting room to see the doctor, or in line at the grocery store… fragrances can cause significant symptoms for others in proximity to the person wearing the fragrance.
As Susie pointed out, it is not the smell that makes people sick after exposure to fragrances (as bothersome as the smell itself may be) but the toxic chemicals contained within the fragrances (endocrine disruptors, neurotoxins, etc.)
The fact that only some have significant reactions in the short-term to such products does not mean these products are safe for others. In fact, the long-term effects impact everyone.
Some people are just more sensitive than others and they react on the spot whereas others may think they’ve escaped unscathed – when in reality their health some been negatively impacted as well.
Having fainted in public places on many occasions after exposure to items my body simply couldn’t handle, I can’t thank you enough for posting this informative article!
Jeanne
Jeanne´s last blog ..Fun For Healing UPDATED
Julie, you ask about suitable perfumes. It is virtually impossible to find truly nontoxic perfumes. Even most essential oils are processed with petrochemicals. Buyer beware! Also, I might be old fashioned, but I would say that perfume isn’t really appropriate in a work or business environment. Save it for very special occasions, and even then, be sure you are using USDA Certified Organic products. Better yet, put a flower behind your ear like we do here in Hawaii and let nature be your fragrance!
Susie Collins´s last blog ..Nicholas Kristof on endocrine disruptors
Yeah, that’s a very sensitive issue, especially in workplace, but I generally agree with the advice. However, I do believe the person that pulls her to the side, should be someone she likes and respects. This way it’s seen as constructive criticism and not just mean!
Darvin @ Designer Mens Cologne´s last blog ..Discount Mens Cologne
I am going through the same situation at work, everyone is spraying perfumes and colognes for some reason.
Whey don’t they take the smokers and put them in one area, take all the non smokers and put them in another and the same with the perfume wearers and sprayers.
There are about 100 people in our office department. Many of them spray perfumes and it is starting to make me ill.
I have already talked to the friend beside me and asked her not to wear as much of the perfume she is wearing, LOL I think she just puts more on.
I had to get a fan to blow the fumes and vapors away from me or I will keep coughing all day and my sinues act up from the smell or the toxic chemicals I should say.
I don’t know if anyone in congress will do anything about it or not, but something has got to be done for workers in the work place regarding the toxic environment it is causing.