I have created a website to educate people about the urgent need for fragrance-free living: www.ThinkBeforeYouStink.com. I have struggled with severe Chemical Sensitivities (also known as MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) for several years and my life has become very small because of it. I have had to leave my job, move in with family, and strictly minimize contact with friends and society. Many people are even worse off than I am and have been forced into complete social isolation and even homelessness by this disease. My goal with this website is to educate people about how serious of a condition this is, how prevalent it is, and yet how everyone has the ability to make positive changes in their life that would help those struggling with this condition. There are so many small changes you can make in your product choices that would make a huge difference to our world.
This post was submitted by Carrie Johnston.
There are aisles in some stores that I rush by, if I even enter them. I have no scent-related medical condition, it’s just that the smell of all the chemicals and artificial scents is overwhelmingly strong and annoying. The detergent aisle in most grocery stores is like that. It’s unnecessary, ridiculous, and even toxic - look at the labels. There’s nothing natural about those alarmingly strong smells, they’re all man-made chemicals.
Smells don’t have to be that way. Smells can be natural.
If you have a garden you know that nature produces wonderful smells not requiring test tubes and petrochemicals. Rosemary plants, peaches, mint leaves, jasmine flowers and hundreds of other plants, trees, and fruits smell nice on their own. Oils and essences can be extracted from these natural sources and scents produced that are not offensive or toxic. Natural oils and perfumes aren’t just beautiful, they can be a health and wellness aid for most people if used responsibly. Responsible use is key! There is no need to drown yourself (and everyone around you) in a scent, no matter how good you may think it is.
I feel for the author Carrie; toxic chemicals seem omnipresent in our world. A world without toxic chemicals should be a goal for all of us for many reasons. A world entirely without scent though would mean the elimination of most plant and animal life as we know it. A scentless world then I will leave as a goal solely for sufferers of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.
Comment by Rob — August 12, 2011 @ 11:44 pm
I don’t have MCS, but I do get headaches and sometimes acne breakouts from strong fragrances or a combination of too many. Baking soda, vinegar and essential oils have become my friend for that reason. If I need to freshen up a room, I sprinkle baking soda around and vacuum it up after 15 minutes. I also make a replacement for Febreeze by mixing hot water with baking soda and adding a few drops of an essential oil. It actually removes any odor rather than covering it up. I’m starting to make all my own homemade soaps and cleaner because fragrances are so harmful. Not only that, but I’m now spending much less money to keep my home clean and allergy free!
Comment by Michelle — August 24, 2011 @ 3:29 pm
I’ve forwarded it on Carrie. Thanks!
Comment by Roxy Murray — November 17, 2012 @ 6:12 pm