Synthetic Fragrances

An EnviroHealth mold inspection in New Jersey-NJ revealed two pockets of Aspergillus and Stachybotrys black mold growth in an apartment. While the Stachybotrys appeared to be confined to a wall area under a window air-conditioner, Aspergillus spores had cross-contaminated the whole apartment. That is, spores spread out from the source of contamination to other rooms.

Recommendations were made for mold removal and remediation of the apartment. Several weeks passed, during which time a New Jersey mold remediation firm conducted mold removal at the apartment.

I used a microscope as part of my post-remediation testing protocol to check the areas that previously had had mold growth. Both were now clean. Spore trap air tests reveal very low levels of mold. The New Jersey apartment was "cleared" for the family to move back and get on with their lives.

A month or two later, I had further conversation with my client, a physician. Since I last saw her for the mold inspection, she had been diagnosed with MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) and was learning to live with the condition. She emphatically remarked about the restrictions on her lifestyle, "This is a pain in the butt!" She spoke of how she was reacting to colognes and fragrances worn by some of her patients, as well as to strong disinfectants used in the medical office.

We spoke about exploring alternatives to the chemical disinfectants and about making her office fragrance-free, not only for her sake but for the sake of all the patients. She reported getting light-handed when near a patient wearing fragrance.

A sign requesting that patients not wear fragrances is now posted at the reception desk. New patients are told when making an appointment to please refrain from wearing fragrances. She is doing better at home, too, since the mold was cleaned up.

Many people with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) typically have difficulties when exposed to other people's fragrances, including fragrances found in laundry products.

The take-home lesson is that people who react to gases and chemicals given off by mold often react to other chemicals as well. In addition to synthetic fragrances, these other chemicals could include personal care products, room air fresheners, plug-in air fresheners, conventional cleaning products, and off gassing from paint, new carpeting, or new furniture.

For further information on synthetic fragrances, please visit the website of the Fragrance Products Information Network of Virginia, www.fpinva.org. I interviewed Betty Bridges, RN, on my radio program and found her to be a fascinating guest. She was so reactive to a chemical used in the hospital that she had to leave her career. This website and her work as an advocate for better air quality are her gifts to us. There's plenty to learn at her website.

The lesson here is to make your home as mold-free and scent-free as possible. A hypoallergenic home is a healthier home.

The full EnviroHealth inspection addresses issues besides mold, such as other indoor air quality concerns, water quality issues, and measurement and reduction of electromagnetic fields, in short, anything that could adversely affect the health of the residents.

For information or to set an appointment, call May at 1-888-735-9649, or write her at

may@createyourhealthyhome.com.

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