Measures to put in place a fragrance or perfume-free policy in all health-care facilities in Québec

The Environmental Health Association of Québec has a petition hosted at the National Assembly of Québec asking the Government of Québec to take all the necessary measures to put in place a fragrance/scent/perfume-free policy and the use of least-toxic products in all health-care facilities in Québec.

The petition is at: https://www.assnat.qc.ca/en/exprimez-votre-opinion/petition/Petition-8231/index.html

Approximately one-third of Canadians experience symptoms when they are exposed to perfumes, fragrances and other scented products. This includes people suffering from asthma and other respiratory disorders, migraine, allergies and environmental sensitivities.

As noted in the November 3, 2015 editorial of the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ): “There are many practices that are acceptable outside hospitals — but not inside. One of these is the application of artificial scents to our bodies (…) There is little justification for continuing to tolerate artificial scents in our hospitals (…) Hospital environments free from artificial scents should become uniform policy, promoting the safety of patients, staff and visitors alike.”

As stated by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in their scent free policy: “Fragrance is not appropriate for a professional work environment, and the use of some products with fragrance may be detrimental to the health of workers with chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, and chronic headaches/migraines.”

Healthcare facilities should be a secure shelter for people who are ill; a go-to place without any second thought other than to be treated. The hospital environment should accommodate all patients regardless of their specific illness. Patients’ health and well-being should be the top priority. Scent-free health care is available in other provinces of Canada.

For more information please contact the Environmental Health Association of Québec.

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Contact :

Michel Gaudet, Executive Director

Dr. John Molot

( 514 332 4320

Email: office@aseq-ehaq.ca

www.aseq-ehaq.ca/fragrance