Tuesday, October 06, 2015

Artificial scents have no place in hospitals

http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-10/cmaj-ash093015.php

Public Release: 5-Oct-2015
Artificial scents have no place in hospitals
Canadian Medical Association Journal

Artificial scents such as perfumes and after-shave have no place in our hospitals because they can aggravate asthma and other allergies, argues an editorial in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal)

About 30% of people report some sensitivity to artificial scents worn by others, and about 27% of those with asthma say that their condition is aggravated by exposure to such scents.

"This is particularly concerning in hospitals, where vulnerable patients with asthma or other upper airway or skin sensitivities are concentrated," write Drs. Ken Flegel, Senior Editor, CMAJ, and Dr. James Martin, Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Quebec. "These patients may be involuntarily exposed to artificial scents from staff, other patients and visitors, resulting in worsening of their clinical condition."

Many public places promote scent-free environments, including some hospitals. The authors argue for a uniform ban on artificial personal scents in Canadian hospitals.

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