US CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION ESTABLISHES FRAGRANCE-FREE POLICY IN ALL ITS OFFICES
Christiane Tourtet B.A.
May 01, 2010
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) a Federal Agency under the Department of Health & Human Services, has issued a fragrance-free policy as part of its "Indoor Environmental Quality Policy", in all its offices nationwide. The CDC who has more than 15.000 employees, has issued this policy in order to protect and maintain safe indoor environmental quality, through guidance and procedures, and provides guidelines for reporting and investigating health complaints for all employees of CDC at all CDC areas. References to CDC also apply to the Agency for Toxic substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).
The goal of the policy is to promote and protect the health and well being of CDC personnel, contractors, visitors, to prevent work-related injury and illness, as well as harm and pollution of the environment, and to insure compliance with all applicable state, local, and federal regulations.
The policy contains extensive guidelines, which are quite significant for people suffering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), such as providing notices at least 5 working day in advance to the occupants, in case of renovation, demolition projects, and maintenance and operation activities conducted in Government-owned facilities as well as in leased facilities, and to schedule the work, if feasible, for non-duty hours, such as weekends, off hours, as in CDC own words " This will allow individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or people with chemical sensitivities that could be aggravated by construction activities, to make alternate arrangements to work away from the site".
It says in the CDC policy, that pest management for lawn and buildings
care, will emphasize non-chemical management strategies, that Integrated Pest Management practices must be used, and if pesticides are really needed, then only the least-toxic chemicals control would be used, and that the pest controls products used in and around a building must be documented and that the MSDS will be made available upon request for building occupants.
In regard to the housekeeping guidelines, the following is stated:
" CDC will insure that products used in the workplace, such as soaps, cleaning products, paints, etc, are safe and odor-free or emit low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the fullest extent feasible. Only green
cleaning products shall be specified and used within CDC facilities and leased spaces unless otherwise approved by the Office of Health of safety."
It is also mentioned in the CDC Policy, to vacuum frequently and thoroughly using vacuums with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and that if carpets must be cleaned, that steam or least toxic, non-petroleum based, fragrance-free all-purpose cleaner or carpet cleaner, will be used.
In regard to Buildings Occupants, the CDC has a fragrance-free policy and a list of non-permissible products as stated by CDC:
"Scented or fragranced products are prohibited at all times in all interior space owned, rented, or leased by CDC this includes the use of :
Incense, candles, or reed diffusers.
Fragrance-emitting devices of any kind
Wall-mounted deviceds, similar to fragrance-emitting devices, thatoperate 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
Personal care products (e.g. colognes, perfumes, essential oils, scented skin and hair products) should not be applied at or near actual workstations, restrooms, or anywhere in CDC owned or leased buildings.
In addition, CDC encourages employees to be as fragrance-free as possible when they arrive in the workplace. 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. Employees should avoid scented detergents and fabric softeners on clothes worn to the office. Many fragrance-free personal care and laundry products are easily available and provide safer alternatives."
Additionally CDC has a tobacco-free Requirements:
"In accordance with the CDC Tobacco-Free Campus Policy (CDC-GA-2005-17) the use of tobacco products ( including cigarettes, cigar, pipes, smokeless tobacco or other tobacco products) is prohibited at all times".
This CDC "Indoor Environmental Quality Policy" is remarkable, and should be used as a valuable model for other local, state, federal, governmental agencies, companies, businesses, universities, schools, hospitals, clinics, doctor´s offices and public places, nationwide.You can view the entire CDC policy at:
www.mcs-america.org/2009-CDC-IndoorEnvironmentalQualityPolicy
In our tremendously polluted world, creating non-toxic work places is necessary to help maintain health and well being, to reduce the amount of sick leave taken by people suffering from chemical sensitivities, respiratory problems, asthma and other related disorders, as well as to prevent health problems triggered by toxic chemicals, such as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).
References:
CDC, Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Health and Safety.
MCSA News.
&169; 2010 Christiane Tourtet .
The goal of the policy is to promote and protect the health and well being of CDC personnel, contractors, visitors, to prevent work-related injury and illness, as well as harm and pollution of the environment, and to insure compliance with all applicable state, local, and federal regulations.
The policy contains extensive guidelines, which are quite significant for people suffering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), such as providing notices at least 5 working day in advance to the occupants, in case of renovation, demolition projects, and maintenance and operation activities conducted in Government-owned facilities as well as in leased facilities, and to schedule the work, if feasible, for non-duty hours, such as weekends, off hours, as in CDC own words " This will allow individuals with pre-existing medical conditions or people with chemical sensitivities that could be aggravated by construction activities, to make alternate arrangements to work away from the site".
It says in the CDC policy, that pest management for lawn and buildings
care, will emphasize non-chemical management strategies, that Integrated Pest Management practices must be used, and if pesticides are really needed, then only the least-toxic chemicals control would be used, and that the pest controls products used in and around a building must be documented and that the MSDS will be made available upon request for building occupants.
In regard to the housekeeping guidelines, the following is stated:
" CDC will insure that products used in the workplace, such as soaps, cleaning products, paints, etc, are safe and odor-free or emit low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the fullest extent feasible. Only green
cleaning products shall be specified and used within CDC facilities and leased spaces unless otherwise approved by the Office of Health of safety."
It is also mentioned in the CDC Policy, to vacuum frequently and thoroughly using vacuums with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, and that if carpets must be cleaned, that steam or least toxic, non-petroleum based, fragrance-free all-purpose cleaner or carpet cleaner, will be used.
In regard to Buildings Occupants, the CDC has a fragrance-free policy and a list of non-permissible products as stated by CDC:
"Scented or fragranced products are prohibited at all times in all interior space owned, rented, or leased by CDC this includes the use of :
Incense, candles, or reed diffusers.
Fragrance-emitting devices of any kind
Wall-mounted deviceds, similar to fragrance-emitting devices, thatoperate 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
Personal care products (e.g. colognes, perfumes, essential oils, scented skin and hair products) should not be applied at or near actual workstations, restrooms, or anywhere in CDC owned or leased buildings.
In addition, CDC encourages employees to be as fragrance-free as possible when they arrive in the workplace. 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. Employees should avoid scented detergents and fabric softeners on clothes worn to the office. Many fragrance-free personal care and laundry products are easily available and provide safer alternatives."
Additionally CDC has a tobacco-free Requirements:
"In accordance with the CDC Tobacco-Free Campus Policy (CDC-GA-2005-17) the use of tobacco products ( including cigarettes, cigar, pipes, smokeless tobacco or other tobacco products) is prohibited at all times".
This CDC "Indoor Environmental Quality Policy" is remarkable, and should be used as a valuable model for other local, state, federal, governmental agencies, companies, businesses, universities, schools, hospitals, clinics, doctor´s offices and public places, nationwide.You can view the entire CDC policy at:
www.mcs-america.org/2009-CDC-IndoorEnvironmentalQualityPolicy
In our tremendously polluted world, creating non-toxic work places is necessary to help maintain health and well being, to reduce the amount of sick leave taken by people suffering from chemical sensitivities, respiratory problems, asthma and other related disorders, as well as to prevent health problems triggered by toxic chemicals, such as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).
References:
CDC, Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Health and Safety.
MCSA News.
&169; 2010 Christiane Tourtet .