On the "Lonely Edge of a Revolution"
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| CMU students Melissa Lesser and Reece Retzlaff: Breathing free. |
Melissa Lesser doesn't look like she has a disability. But watch what happens if she walks past someone wearing a strong perfume or deodorant, or goes into a freshly cleaned washroom.
"I can't breathe," says Lesser, 20, a third-year Biblical and Theological Studies student. "I get dizzy, lose muscle control and I faint."
It's scariest if it happens when she is on a staircase, as happened last fall. "That's my biggest fear-falling down the stairs and hitting my head," she says.
Reece Retzlaff, 23, is studying theology and music at CMU. She also has trouble with scents of various kinds. Her reactions can range from nausea and severe headaches to loss of some muscle control-if the attack is bad enough, she may need help walking. "We have an invisible disability," she says.
The two CMU students have a scent allergy, otherwise known as environmental illness or Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Although much is not known about MCS, it seems to be an acquired illness characterized by severe reaction to scents and smells that are easily tolerated by most people. Common triggers include volatile organic compounds found in paints, cleaning products, perfumes and fragranced personal care products.
Reactions range from difficulty breathing and watery eyes, through to more serious reactions such as rashes, headaches, nausea, muscle and joint pain or asthma-like attacks. The only reliable way to prevent the dangerous reactions is for sufferers to avoid scents that can cause an attack.
That would seem pretty much impossible, considering the wide range of scented products sold today. But CMU is trying to do what it can for students like Lesser and Retzlaff; the school has committed itself to try to be a scent-free university-making it one of only a few universities in Canada, and the only university in Winnipeg, that is trying to do so.
"We want to accommodate students who experience such severe reactions to scents and chemicals," says CMU Student Life Director Marilyn Peters Kliewer. "Our goal is to try to make CMU as scentfree as possible."
What that means is encouraging students to refrain from using scented products. Each year they are given a list of items to avoid such as perfumes and colognes, strong deodorants like Old Spice and Lady Speed Stick, body sprays, certain shampoos, hair gels and other strong smelling products.
But this doesn't mean that CMU has replaced the scent of fragrance with the opposite-bad smells. Students are also given a list of unscented or lightly-scented products that won't cause problems for people like Reece and Melissa. Some of the items are available for sale in the CMU bookstore.
Student response has been very positive, says Peters Kliewer. "Once they realize how severe this can be for people with scent allergies, they are very protective of them," she says.
As well, the university has changed to unscented or low odour cleaning products, things like the soap in the bathroom dispensers and for washing floors. Maintenance staff also purchase low odour paints and adhesives for tile and carpet. "It costs a bit more, but it's worth it for the comfort and safety of students," says Randy Neufeld, Director of Facilities.
When cleaning staff have to use products that have stronger odours, they let Lesser and Retzlaff know when and where they will be used. "If they are going to paint or do any construction work, they let us know in advance so we can avoid the area or leave for a few hours," says Retzlaff.
Of course, CMU isn't just for students; each day visitors, many of whom don't know about the university's scent-free policy. That's why every door leading into the university has a sign that says: "In recognition of individuals who struggle with asthma, allergies and environmental and chemical sensitivities, please refrain from wearing fragrances and scented products on campus. CMU is striving to be a scent-free environment."
The key word, says Peters Kliewer, is "striving." "We know that it is almost impossible to prevent the use of all scented products on campus," she says. "But we will do our best to reach that goal."
Retzlaff and Lesser appreciate the effort. "It's really great that there are so many people here who take this seriously, and who try to help," says Retzlaff.
Even so, their lives can still be difficult. Not all visitors to CMU know about the policy, so they never go anywhere without their special carbon filter masks-the ones that make them look a little bit like Darth Vader from the movie Star Wars. Leaving campus is also a challenge; department stores are hard to visit since the perfume section is usually near the main entrance. And even if stores do sell unscented products, where do they put them? "In the smelly aisle," says Retzlaff, adding that "I have to send someone else into the store to buy unscented products for me."
"We live in a scented world," says Lesser. "I can't go to the opera or the ballet, since people tend to fancy up to go to those places. This has really had a negative impact on my social life."
Spiritually, it has taken its toll on her, too. "It took until recently to come to terms with who I am," she says, noting that the problem has existed since her early teens. "You have to deal with the things that God gives you, but I know that I wouldn't be me if I didn't have it. For better or worse, this is who I am."
She credits her husband, Terry, with helping her cope. "He makes sure that I don't give up and that I get my rest," she says. She also appreciates the support of students and staff at CMU. "If it wasn't for the people here who love and care for me, I wouldn't make it."
In addition to a few universities and schools, some hospitals in Canada are trying to be scent-free, and a few churches in Canada are asking members not to wear scented products when coming to worship services. As well, the cities of Ottawa and Toronto are promoting scent-free guidelines.
"We are on the lonely edge of a social revolution," says Retzlaff, noting that it will take a long time before Canadians give up scented products. "The perfume industry is huge, but it wasn't so long ago that people could smoke wherever they wanted, too. Maybe one day wearing fragrances will be seen the same way."