Water | Resources
EWG’s New Healthy Home Guides
Environmental Working Group has released a set of Healthy Home Guides. It’s the first time they have addressed exposure to chemicals in the home as a whole.
Rather than being comprehensive, these guides offer simple advice on avoiding less than a dozen chemicals of concern (lead, asbestos, flame retardants, VOCs, PFCs, antimicrobials, and radon).
Product-specific guides give only tips on what chemicals to avoid and what to look for, but no guidance on how to actually find these products.
Still, it’s a good educational effort to show there IS a problem with chemical exposures in the home and will make many more aware they should be looking for toxic-free products.
Portland Apron Company
A variety of useful aprons for adults and children, in designs you won’t find everywhere. Included are the basic standards plus a loose pinafore with pockets, a japanese smock, and an artist tunic with or without long sleeves. Organic hemp or linen that is sustainably grown, produced, and dyed. All pieces are handmade to order.
Avishi Organics
“Therapeutic skin care for mamas and babies” made from 100% pure USDA certified organic ingredients. “The goal – healing skincare treatments that are honestly labeled and USDA certified organic, just right for pregnant mamas and babies. We started from scratch, with 100% natural ingredients known for their therapeutic and restorative properties…Our intention was to satisfy a need in the market for truly natural, effective products that would resolve issues all too common for mamas-to-be and babies.
Ojai Wild
A collection of natural fragrances made from native California botanicals, resins, woods and roots. “Alongside organic botanicals and roots from our farm in the Ojai Valley, our hand-gathered materials are ethically sourced from trees, shrubs and fields grown on established estates and ranches all around California. These raw materials are then extracted and poured into glass containers. Each cologne is composed of the raw botanical extract married with a harmonious blend of essential oils and absolutes—some of which are aged up to 35 years…Rather than mask your scent, unleash it. Ojai Wild colognes pair with your own individual scent, allowing you to explore the most pure, most authentic version of your own essence.
Thorn and Bloom
“An artisanal perfumery handcrafting luxury botanical fragrances using the finest natural aromatics…Our fragrances are comprised of 100% botanical aromatics, such as Essential Oils, Absolutes, CO2 Extracts and Tinctures in a base of triple-filtered USDA Organic Grape Alcohol. We do not use synthetic aroma chemicals, preservatives or GMOs. Each small batch is lovingly blended by hand in Charlestown, MA.” Certified by Natural Perfumers Guild.
Ring Botanicals
Small-batch artisinal perfumes and essential oils carefully crafted from organic and wildcrafted plants. “Our purpose has always been to bring about beauty and healing through the creation of perfumes that smell like the ecosystems they come from. We extract over 100 of our own essences ranging from herbs such as rosemary and lavender, to rarer essences like our house specialty, Black Poplar, or the heartwood of ancient fir trees. With each harvest we draw from the land we return more than we take; by farming sustainably, planting trees, sharing seeds, and educating other herbalists and distillers about ethical wildcrafting of native plants, we restore our good connection with the healing plants. Our natural perfumes are 100% sythetic-free and boast ingredients from artisinal distiller friends the world round. True to name, our work encircles and protects many small trees and millions of beneficial pollinators and bees who sip on the nectar of our crops. These voices of the trees, and roots, and flowers that you will hear in our offerings have much to tell you about how to reclaim your own spirit, as well as protect that of the land. Certified by Natural Perfumers Guild.
Anya’s Garden Perfumes
100% natural perfumes made with rare and exotic essences. “My lifelong passion for fragrant plants and natural aromatics is showcased in my natural perfumes. I grow many unique tropical plants and extract their fragrance for my perfumes. Guaranteed made only from essential oils, absolutes, tinctures and organic undenatured alcohol.” She also offers perfume making kits and botanicals so you can make your own personal fragrances. Certified by Natural Perfumers Guild.
Vermont Wooden Block Company
A system of unique interlocking building blocks that fit together to create endless possibilities. Standard blocks combine with small End Blocks to create turns and openings, such as doors and window. Wide, Flat Top Blocks are used for capping off buildings, or stools to sit on. “These natural toys are made from regionally sourced White Pine wood and are supplied unfinished.
Florescent
A line of handcrafted fragrance made with 100% pure botanical ingredients. “Having rarely experienced the gentle depth and complexity of true botanicals in conventional perfumes, Susannah became infatuated with these vibrant ingredients and dedicated herself to the art of scent blending with botanicals. Each fragrance is composed of elegant and wild aromas that come from distillations and extractions of real flowers, herbs, woods, balsams, resins, seeds and more. These pure organic and wild-crafted essences elevate the scent experience. Florescent fragrances are free of the synthetics, chemical additives, and fixatives typically found in perfume.
Co-workers with Fragrance
Question from Sus D
Hi Debra,
I work with people who have worked with me when I contracted fragrance allergies, they refuse to stop using their fragranced lotions and work in my office before I get there.
We have a policy addressing this but isn’t enforced even by HR department.
I work in a health care facility and it has gotten bad over the last five years. we have customers that have fragrance allergies also.
Why do the leaders let this happen with these employees who don’t seem to care about anyone but themselves. the leaders are aware, I know of one family that has wrote letters addressing the issue.
I was told I didn’t have the right to ask people to not use their product and the only manager that has tried to help feels like his hands are tied due to no one else caring to enforce the policy.
is their any organization to contact. already contacted JAN. Any advice. the manager wants to get me and the one that works in the office before me to met and have a discussion. I say it won’t help cuz she already knows and has know since the beginning but will not stop.
Debra’s Answer
Readers, anyone have a similar experience? Any advice?
Here is a page from The Chemical Sensitivity Foundation with many links regarding fragrance-free policies
I understand you have a policy and need help getting it enforced.
Here are some other resources that might help with enforcement. Some of them address refusal to comply. You might contact any of these organizations for help with your situation.
SAVVY WOMAN’S ALLIANCE: Five Friendly Fragrance-Free Signs
New ADA Guidelines for Fragrance Sensitivity Explained | Labor Law
Accommodation and Compliance Series: Employees with Fragrance ..
