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Addressing the Needs of People with Chemical & Electrical
Sensitivities and Fragrance-Free Policiesin Emergency Preparedness
New Jersey Group for Access and Integration Needs in Emergencies and Disasters (GAINED)
January 25, 2012
Mary Lamielle, Executive DirectorNational Center for Environmental Health Strategies, Inc.
1100 Rural AvenueVoorhees, New Jersey 08043
(856)429-5358; cell (856)816-8820marylamielle@ncehs.org
www.ncehs.org
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Overview Unique health problems faced by people with chemical and
electrical sensitivities or intolerances Emergency preparedness and accommodations for people
with CS/ES Equipment, devices, and supplies Evacuation and shelter
Assisting people with CS/ES in an emergency situation
Eliminating or reducing access barriers for people with CS/ES
Improving services for people with CS/ES
Fragrance-free policies as a first step toward access for people with allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivities, migraines, autism, and others impacted by indoor pollution
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People with CS react to low level everyday chemical exposures
Reactions are triggered by various substances and products such as:
pesticides, perfumes, air fresheners, deodorizers, disinfectants, tobacco smoke, auto and diesel exhaust, remodeling activities, and cleaning and personal care products;
many individuals also react to foods, medications, and natural substances
Individual tolerances may vary
16% of the population “unusually sensitive” to chemicals
Up to 6% of the population chronically ill and disabled with CS
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People with ES react to electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from electrical devices and frequencies
Reactions are triggered by: electrical appliances and devices, microwaves, transformers, high tension wires, cell phones, cell towers, Wi-Fi, fluorescent lights, Smart Meters, etc.
Individual tolerances may vary
3% of Californians report ES
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Importance of Healthy Indoor Air Quality
90% of Americans spend 90% of the day indoors (home, school, office, vehicle)
Increased indoor air pollution sourcesDecreased fresh air intakeNew or reformulated substances and products
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Synthetic organic chemical productionUnited States, 1945 - 1985
Source: U.S. Intern. Trade Commission
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U.S. pesticide production,All types, 1927-1988
Source: EPA Market Estimates, 1986, 1988; Pimentel & Andow, 1984; Metcalf, 1980.
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ResourcesChemical Sensitivity: A Report to the New Jersey State
Department of Health, December 1989
Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes, Nicholas A. Ashford and Claudia S. Miller http://www.chemicalexposures.org
QUICK ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE AND SENSITIVITY INVENTORY (QEEESI) http://drclaudiamiller.com/qeesitest/
The Indoor Environmental Quality Project Report, National Institute of Building Sciences, 2006.http://www.access-board.gov/research/ieq
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In the event of a chemical or environmental incident, people disabled by chemical sensitivities will be sicker faster from much lower levels of exposure, and more debilitated than the average person.
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Emergency Preparedness for People with Chemical and Electrical
Sensitivities Not all emergencies or disasters require evacuation.
The nature of the emergency or disaster and the nature of the disability may define the course of action.
For the CS/ES person, the “safest” place may be his or her own home.
The CS/ES person should also have an emergency or disaster plan in the event of an evacuation. This should include: Emergency equipment and supplies; Location of the “safest” evacuation site; and Location of an CS/ES-accessible shelter.
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Emergency Equipment and Supplies for those Disabled with CS
Mask (cotton, charcoal, or surgical) and/or respirator
Oxygen mask (ceramic, stainless steel, or well-aired plastic) and tubing (tygon, stainless steel, or well-aired plastic)
Tolerated water in [glass] container; foods that require no cooking
Tolerated soap, baking soda, and detergent
Aluminum foil to seal items not well-tolerated or to use as a barrier
Towel, sheet, blanket, sleeping bag, or similar equipment that is tolerated by the individual
Portable air and/or water filter as necessary
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First Aid Kit
Well-aired tissues, paper towels, and/or washcloth
Cotton bandages, gauze, and paper tape
Hydrogen peroxide, zephiran chloride, or tolerated disinfectant
Tolerated over-the-counter and prescription medications, supplements, and homeopathic remedies as necessary
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If the CS Person Can or Must Be Evacuated
The “safest” place for the CS person may be outdoors: the beach; upwind from fires, refineries and traffic;
or a remote area Some shelters may be inaccessible for those with CS
Sealed buildings with inadequate ventilation New or recently remodeled buildings Trailers or tents Buildings with significant pollutants such as a fire
station Shelters with chemical toilets Shelters with fumes or exhaust from generators,
propane, or gas stoves and heaters, or other fuel sources
Shelters with indoor pollution from tobacco smoke, fragrances and fragranced products, pesticides, new furnishings, toxic cleaning agents, etc.
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Recommend that shelters have a “cleaner air room,” an accessible
room for people with chemical and electrical sensitivities, free
of chemical and electrical pollutants, with a handicap
accessible, non-chemical toilet
For more information, check out:“The Indoor Air Quality Project Report,” National Institute of Building Sciences, 2006.http://www.access-board.gov/research/ieq/rooms
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Cleaner Air Room & Paths of Travel
No smoking Fragrance-Free Pesticide-Free (Indoors and Outdoors) Least Toxic/Risk Cleaning Products No Recent Construction or Remodeling Including
Carpet Installation Cell phones turned off Ability to turn off or unplug computers and other
electrical equipment by occupant or staff Ability to turn off fluorescent lighting by occupant
or staff Ability to adjust temperature and air flow by
occupant or staff, or the availability of operable window(s)
http://www.access-board.gov/research/ieq/rooms/si_conditions.cfm?p=1
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How to Best Assist People with CS/ES in an Emergency Situation
or Evacuation Familiarize yourself with common exposures that
trigger reactions.
Listen to and respect what the CS/ES person says about what exposures are or will make them sick and help minimize or avoid those exposures.
Trust the CS/ES person to know how to meet his or her needs.
Do not use tobacco, scented or potent personal care products, pesticides, or similar items.
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How to Best Assist…cont.
Provide the CS person with assistance from non-smoking personnel and staff who are free of perfume, cologne, aftershave, and scented personal care products.
Ask the CS/ES person if he or she needs to be moved to a less-toxic area or outdoors.
Do not use latex gloves, disinfectants, or similar products without asking.
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How to Best Assist…cont.
Be aware that some CS individuals may temporarily lose the ability to think clearly or speak during a reaction. They should have immediate access to cleaner air, masks, or oxygen.
If the CS person is wearing a mask or respirator, speak directly to the individual not to a third party.
If the ES person is unconscious or unable to communicate, move the individual to an area with reduced electromagnetic fields. [This can be determined with a handheld Gauss meter.]
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Eliminate Chemical and Electrical Barriers in Emergency Preparedness
Prohibit smoking in and within at least 100 feet of a shelter.
Prohibit idling of vehicles within 100 feet of a shelter.
Require emergency personnel, staff, and shelter to be fragrance-free.
Stock unscented/least toxic cleaning and personal care products.
Require least toxic/low impact pest control practices indoors, on the grounds, and in the ambient air in the vicinity of a shelter.
http://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/pcp/bpc/ipm/low_impact.pdf
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Eliminate Chemical and Electrical Barriers… cont.
Shut off fluorescent lights, if possible.
Turn off cell phones and other wireless technology.
Ask if the person needs to be moved or served away from electrical equipment and electromagnetic fields such as computers, microwaves, electrical appliances, transformers, electrical and high tension wires, cell phones, PDA’s, Wi-Fi, Smart Meters, etc.
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Improving Services for People with Chemical and Electrical
Sensitivities
Educate yourself and your agency or organization about the needs of people with CS/ES.
Identify and work with the CS/ES in your community to determine how to best meet their needs.
Provide notification to people with CS of any toxic event so that they can take precautions or evacuate as necessary.
Establish a registry as a means to provide advance notification.
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Improving Services…cont. Keep the needs of those with CS/ES in mind as
emergency preparedness plans are developed.
Work to ensure emergency services and shelters are accessible for people with CS/ES.
Be prepared to respond to any emergency affecting the CS even if the balance of the population is not significantly affected.
Provide for the safe evacuation, if necessary, for those who cannot use public transportation.
Provide outreach to CS/ES people who are unable to get to or be accommodated in a shelter.
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Improving Services…cont. Use least toxic/allergenic cleaning and
maintenance products and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices with least toxic/low impact products if necessary.
Adopt and promote best practices policies that restrict the use of fragrances and the purchase and use of fragranced and scented products in emergency services.
FEMA Blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) for medical supplies require products be latex and fragrance-free (Source: Getting Real I, September 2010)
See attached:FEMA Proposal: Promote Best Practices that Restrict the Use of Fragrances and the Purchase and/or Use of Fragranced and Scented Products, National Center for Environmental Health Strategies, January 11, 2011
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Fragrances & Fragranced Products
Scents and scented products are significant contributors to poor air quality; they generate substantial levels of indoor pollutants:
VOCs (volatile organic compounds) Particles Secondary pollutants in the presence of ozone
Scents and scented products make indoor environments as well as emergency services and disaster relief inaccessible for people disabled by chemical sensitivities, asthma, migraines…
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Prevalence of Fragrance Sensitivityin the American Population
30% of the American population reported irritation from scented products on others
19% reported adverse health effects from air fresheners
10.9% reported irritation by scented laundry products vented outside
Higher percentage of adverse effects reportedamong those with chemical sensitivities and asthma
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Scents & Scented Products: The Basics
2600 plus natural and synthetic chemicals A single fragrance can have several
hundred chemicals Not regulated Exempted from labeling requirements;
disclosure of ingredients not required; formulations confidential; Trade Secret FDA: personal care products except soaps
CPSC: laundry, cleaning, air fresheners
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Research on Commonly Used Scented Products
25 commonly used scented products emit an average 17 chemicals each ¼ of emissions toxic or hazardous under at
least one federal law More than 1/3 emissions classified as potential
carcinogens Only one of all the chemicals was listed on
label or Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Products marketed as “green” or “organic”
or “natural” emitted just as many toxic chemicals
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Scent-free Policies & Practices
Enhance public health Improve disability access Protective and inclusive Common sense strategy Increasingly commonplace in the
public and private sector
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Federal Fragrance-Free Policies
CDC Indoor Environmental Quality Policy, June 2009
Fragrance-Free Policy “Scented or fragranced products are prohibited
at all times in all interior space owned, rented, or leased by CDC.” (p. 9)
“Fragrance is not appropriate for a professional work environment, and the use of some products with fragrance may be detrimental to the health of workers with chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, and chronic headaches/migraines.” (p. 9)
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CDC Non-Permissible Products
Incense, candles, or reed diffusers Fragrance-emitting devices of any kind Wall-mounted devices, similar to
fragrance-emitting devices, that operate automatically or by pushing a button to dispense deodorizers or disinfectants
Potpourri Plug-in or spray air fresheners Urinal or toilet blocks Other fragranced deodorizer/re-odorizer
products
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NCEHS Fragrance-Free Proposals:
White House Disability Policy Office
GSA
FEMAFEMA proposal additionally includes a fragrance-free policy for personal care products and cleaning and maintenance supplies for emergency management and disaster relief
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U.S. Access Board1999 Holds training for Board and staff on fragrances
2000 Adopts Fragrance-Free Policy for Board Meetings http://www.access-board.gov/about/meetings.htm
2000 Creates committee to examine CS/ES
2003;2007 Contracts with National Institute of Building Sciences to study indoor environmental quality (IEQ) and CS/ES
2006 Issues “Indoor Environmental Quality Project Report” http://www.access-board.gov/research/ieq
2010 Opens permanent meeting space designated fragrance-
free: all participants refrain from perfume and cologne; unscented personal care products; scent-free cleaning and maintenance (July 2010)
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Federal Fragrance-Free Policies
U. S. Census Bureau, March 2009 Issued fragrance-free policy and implementing language to protect employees and accommodate disabled workers
Department of Health and Human Services, October 10, 2010Restricts application of fragranced products at work; exempts fitness centers and day-care centers List of non-permissible fragranced cleaning and maintenance products identical to CDC Fragrance-Free Policy
FEMA Blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) for medical supplies require products to be latex and fragrance-free (Source: Getting Real I, September 2010)
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Federal Fragrance-Free Policies
EEOC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ADA Amendments Act of 2008,
September 23, 2009
(A) Example 1: An individual withasthma who is substantially limited inrespiratory functions and breathingcompared to most people, as indicatedby the effects experienced whenexposed to substances such as cleaningproducts, perfumes, and cigarettesmoke, is an individual with a disability.(Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 183, p. 48442)
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Model Fragrance-Free Policy
This is a Fragrance-Free Workplace
We Share the Air Please refrain from wearing (using) perfume,
cologne, aftershave, or other fragranced, scented, or odorous personal care or laundry products including shampoo, hairspray, hair care product, hand lotion, laundry detergent and dryer sheets for the health and comfort of employees and visitors.
Thank you for your cooperation.
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Mary Lamielle, Executive DirectorNational Center for Environmental Health
Strategies, Inc.1100 Rural Avenue
Voorhees, New Jersey 08043(856)429-5358; cell (856)816-8820
marylamielle@ncehs.orgwww.ncehs.org
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