No-scent Policy

So that everyone can be comfortable, please do not wear cologne, perfume, or other scented products.

genderBLUR instituted this policy because people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (also called Environmental Illness) experience serious and debilitating physical and neurological symptoms when exposed to the chemicals used in most scented products.

These same chemicals also can also cause problems for people with asthma, allergies, and other immune problems such as cancer and HIV. Often, the health damage from these chemicals causes an individual to react to other intensely volatile substances, such as essential oils, tobacco smoke, and 'natural' fragrances.

The last several decades have seen a huge increase in the number of harmful chemicals added to household and personal care products because no government agency regulates the ingredients. Many of these chemicals are banned in industrial settings because of their known effect. 95% of chemicals used in fragrances are synthetic derivatives known to be capable of causing cancer, birth defects, central nervous system disorders, and allergic reactions.

Symptoms of chemical exposure include dizziness, nausea, slurred speech, drowsiness, irritation to the mouth, throat, skin, eyes, and lungs, headache, convulsions, fatigue, confusion, and liver and kidney damage. As you can imagine, these symptoms constitute serious barriers for people with chemical sensitivities when it comes to participating in work, life, and of course genderBLUR.

Promoting scent-free environments is very much like adding ramps and curb-cuts for wheelchair access in terms of the profound difference in accessibility it can produce.

If you are not accustomed to going "scent-free," it is important to think carefully about all the products you use in your day. Scented products can include shampoo, soap, hair gel, hair spray, perfume/scented oils, skin lotion, shaving cream, makeup etc. See the list of alternatives below.

If you smoke, please use the designated smoking area located in the parking lot, away from the entrance. If possible, keep your cigarette downwind from your body while you are smoking. Please keep in mind that chemically sensitive people will also get sick from the smoke clinging to your clothing and hair.

Your cooperation is greatly appreciated by everyone involved in genderBLUR!

Product Suggestions:

SOAP:
Tom's of Maine unscented, Kiss My Face Pure Olive Oil, Neutrogena unscented, Dr. Bronner's Aloe Vera Baby Mild, Simple, Body Shop unscented shower gel.

LAUNDRY DETERGENT:
Arm & Hammer Free, Tide Free, Wisk Free, Planet, 7th Generation fragrance-free, Granny's, or any other fragrance-free brand.

SHAMPOO AND CONDITONER:
Pure essentials fragrance-free, Magick Botanicals Botanicals fragrance-free, Simple, Granny's.

DEODORANT:
Almay fragrance-free, Tom's of Maine's fragrance-free, Simple, Jason Natural unscented, Kiss My Face fragrance-free, or any other fragrance-free variety.

HAIR GEL:
Magick Botanicals, make your own with unflavored gelatin, or simply use a little aloe vera gel.

HAIR SPRAY:
Magick Botanicals, Almay

MAKEUP:
Almay (in drugstores), Clinique (in department store cosmetic sections and online).

SHAVING CREAM:
Ray Ban hypoallergenic, Kiss My Face fragrance-free, Simple. Or simply use aloe vera gel.

THANK YOU!