Thursday, July 30, 2009

Not alone in perfume sensitivities...

The timing of this article seems somehow bolstering to my sense of being a normal human and not some some sort of a leper because I have troubles with fragrances. A coworker brought it to my attention this morning:

If it works, the article can be reached when you Click here. Should the link not work, here is a copy/paste version of the printer page:

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34 hospitalized after co-worker sprays perfume

Investigators don't know what type was sprayed

The Associated Press
updated 7:17 p.m. MT, Wed., July 29, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas - At first, fire officials suspected that carbon monoxide or some other toxic fumes had sickened almost 150 people at a Texas bank call center.

It turned out that perfume was to blame.

MedStar ambulance spokeswoman Lara Kohl says 34 people were taken to hospitals, 12 by ambulance, after reporting dizziness and shortness of breath Wednesday at a Bank of America call center in Fort Worth. Medics treated 110 at the scene.

Fort Worth fire Lt. Kent Worley says the incident started with two people complaining about dizziness after a co-worker sprayed perfume. Others reported being sick when an announcement was made that anyone with similar symptoms should exit the building.

Investigators do not know what type of perfume was sprayed.

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3 comments:

Craig and Heather said...

I just learned today in my "harrasment" training at work that sensitivity to fragrances or perfumes is possibly a protected status under the new provisions of the Americans With Disabilities Act. You might want to look into this. Don't know if it is true or not, . . .

Craig

Herding Grasshoppers said...

And post the article at work ;-)

Julie

Mrs. Squirrel said...

Yes, indeed. Research is in progress about the ADA information. Right now, the question is the definition of what they consider to be a disability. Some require "actively affects you 24-hours/day for more than a year". Migraines are rather transient so it falls in a fuzzy gray area.

There is still hope though!

Also, I have printed and taped the article to the back of my computer monitor where it can be seen. I can put it up in my own work area as a 'decoration', but it has that "harassment" tag threatening if it is posted publicly.

However, that too may change depending on the air-testing results. Time will tell.

Thanks for the input!
Have a great weekend!
:)