Beth Tzedec is a Fragrance Free facility. Not everyone understands what this is all about. We are fortunate to have Dot Whitehouse sharing her experience on this subject matter. She spoke with Communications Manager Michael Goodbaum about the importance of maintaining a Fragrance Free Facility and to clarify some key points. For part one of this interview, CLICK HERE

What are some products that people might forget contain fragrances?

In the past couple of years, the congregants at Beth Tzedec have really tried their best not to wear colognes, perfumes and aftershaves with fragrance. But there is a whole other world of fragrances that people might not realize.

Fragrances are often listed at the end of the ingredients on product packaging and might be listed as parfume, so it may be difficult to read the small font used for fragrances. Because a product may have a fragrance that one is used to, such as in hand creams, they may be unaware that they are wearing fragrance.

What kind of effect does this have?

Often people don’t realize how ill a fragrance can make another person. For example, people are now accustomed to the potential very serious and dangerous and life-altering consequences of nut allergies, but are less conscious that fragrances can trigger the same kind of reactions. When people are made aware of the real dangers that fragrances can trigger, they tend to be really kind and thoughtful and do whatever they can to make sure that they are not part of creating a problematic and serious situation for someone else.

Some of the consequences could be mild, like a headache, but that headache can become a migraine that is not at all mild. It can be itchiness on the skin or internally, in the throat. The throat can actually close in a severe anaphylactic reaction. If you are someone who uses asthma medications for example, you may need to use that medication or take antihistamines.