Fragrance-Aware School Protocol or Administrative Guidelines
The academic success of a student can be directly linked to his or her health. For this reason, it is imperative that school districts ensure the wellbeing and safety of all its students to support a positive learning environment. To create a safer learning environment for students as well as a safer work environment for staff, school districts must protect the indoor and outdoor air quality of its campuses.
Strong scents and fragrances can contribute to poor indoor air quality that can be unhealthy to all students and school staff. There are many people who experience unpleasant physical effects from scented products and a growing number of people who suffer more severe reactions to these types of products and chemicals. This condition is known as multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) and involves individuals who have developed an acute sensitivity to various chemicals in the environment.
MCS causes individuals to experience a range of debilitating physical reactions, some even life-threatening, to chemicals used in a variety of scented materials, including fragrances and chemical products. Research shows that 75% of people with shortness of breath have experienced asthma attacks caused by perfumes.
When scented products have been suspected to adversely affecting a person's health, some or all the following symptoms are reported:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Malaise
- Loss of Appetite
- Upper respiratory symptoms
- Difficulty with concentration
- Numbness
- Shortness of breath
- Skin Irritation
Students with Asthma and Allergies, as well as those with other conditions, report that certain odors, even in the smallest amounts, can trigger respiratory difficulty. Some people may report mild irritation while others are incapacitated and/or must give up many routine activities in order to avoid exposure (such as going to public places).
All teachers, students, and staff members are asked not to bring deodorizers or other personal care products into the school unless they are identified as fragrance-free. In addition, cleaning products must be provided by the school and those with strong scents will only be used during off-peak school hours.
Students, parents, and staff will be notified if strong scented cleaning materials will be used on the campus. If a student or employee is affected by a specific scent, we ask that school staff eliminate the cause of the offensive odor.
Under this policy, the school district also requests that all students and staff refrain from wearing perfume, cologne, and other fragrances, and use unscented personal care products in order to promote a fragrance-free environment. This request is included in notices and on displayed signage throughout school buildings. Fragrance products can include hand sanitizers, cologne, perfume, scented lotions, hair products, candles, air fresheners, plug-ins, scent diffusers, just to name a few.