Breathing Easier

People who have to accommodate others who become ill from odor nuisance often assume that they are imagining their illness. Research has indicated that this is not the case. These people detect some smells more rapidly and process the information more deeply in the brain.

The subconscious mind associates odor with experiences and uses odors as warning signals. Being able to detect and analyze odors rapidly and subconsciously is advantageous in stressful or painful circumstances, but not necessarily in the workplace. Such a mechanism may also lead to false alarms and exaggerated reactions to harmless odors.

Heavy scents can be a major distraction in the workplace. The chemicals in one employees’ cologne or lotion could be causing her coworkers to have headaches, nausea, or even difficulty breathing; adversely affecting asthma, allergies, and other chronic conditions. In 2007, one employee even sued her company to ban perfume!

What can you do to help clear the air in your workplace? Is your company taking steps to keep the air as breathable as possible at work?

For the best indoor air quality, educate your employees about fragrance allergies. Ask janitorial staff to use fragrance-free cleaners and make sure ventilation systems are clean and functioning properly. Indoor plants have also been shown to help eliminate indoor air pollution. These small steps can go a long way to improving air quality at work.

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