Why Fragrance Free?

Credit for the original text goes with thanks to the Bay Area CDS and nofragrance.org.

A significant number of dancers suffer from heightened sensitivity to solvents and petroleum products including perfume and fragrance. These chemicals can act not only as respiratory irritants, but also as cardiac stimulants (skyrocketing blood pressure, palpitations) and neurotoxins (symptoms include tremors, mental confusion, equilibrium loss, blurred vision). Exposure to products containing even small amounts of these chemicals can cause these symptoms.

Please understand that this is not a preference issue — it is a health issue. Chemical sensitivity results from continued exposure to solvents and products in doses thought to be safe. This could happen to any one of us.

Because the dance hall is an enclosed space, even small amounts of fragrance or scented or toxic products on a few people can add up quickly to intolerable amounts. Our fellow dancers with chemical sensitivities can attend this dance event only if we all work together to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals in the immediate environment.

We ask that you please:

• Do not wear perfume, cologne or aftershave.
• Do not use hair spray or dandruff shampoo — even the unscented varieties contain toxic products and can trigger reactions in chemically sensitive people.
• If possible use a fragrance-free laundry detergent (eg, All Free & Clear) for the clothes you wear and do not use fabric softener. Thoroughly air out dry-cleaned clothes and clothes that have been stored in mothballs.
• Do wear a fragrance-free deodorant! See the list below for suggestions.

Please consider using other fragrance-free personal products. Here's a short sampling:

• Deodorant: Tom's of Maine Unscented, The Crystal, Le Stick, Liken, Almay Fragrance-Free, Mennen Unscented
• Shampoo & Conditioner: Pure Essentials, Jason, and other brands make fragrance-free varieties
• Hair Gel: KMS, Aloe Vera 80.
• Shaving Cream: Noxcema Fragrance-Free, Kiss My Face, English Leather Fragrance-Free
• Lip Balm: Look for beeswax-based (non-petroleum), unscented varieties (eg, Burt's Bees).
• Body Powder: Use baking soda and/or cornstarch.

We all need to pay attention to this important area because we are all ultimately susceptible to our increasingly toxic modern environment. For more information visit www.nofragrance.org — and thank you!