Social Media Event Designed to Increase Awareness of Potential Health Risks On Friday, August 13
by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
SeaYu® Enterprises, makers of Clean+Green® eco-friendly pet stain and odor removers, is declaring Friday, August 13th unlucky for chemical fragrance by founding the first ever Fragrance Free Day
Fragrance Free Day (#fragrancefreeday) is a social media event by which people are asked to tell the world via their social networks that they’ll go “fragrance free” for one day. This awareness campaign comes at a time when, according a recent report by ABC News, “Congress and the cosmetics industry are both calling for tighter regulation of the chemicals used in cosmetics and other personal care products due to concerns over possible carcinogens and other toxic ingredients.”
http://abcnews.go.com/Health/Wellness/toxic-cosmetics-draw-congressional-attention/story?id=11228491
As part of the event, the company will host a live Q&A on Twitter, featuring SeaYu’s CEO Quincy Yu, organic chemist Dr. Stephen Ziman and veterinarian holistic pet health expert Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM (http://www.drcarol.com/).
Anyone with questions on the safety of products they’re using for personal care can Tweet them with the hashtag #fragrancefreeday on Friday, August 13 from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST and have their question answered by one of the experts through SeaYu’s Twitter account (http://www.twitter.com/seayu).
“Fragrance Free Day gives concerned consumers a chance to help spread awareness of the dangers associated with fragrance/chemicals in personal care and household cleaning products by pledging to go “fragrance free” via their social networks,” said Quincy Yu, CEO of SeaYu Enterprises. “We encourage everyone to help the world breath easier by pledging not to use any fragranced products for one full day.”
According to the report by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics and Environmental Working Group, “Not So Sexy, the Health Risks of Secret Chemicals in Fragrances," they found 14 secret chemicals not listed on the labels that are associated with hormone disruption and allergic reactions, and many substances that have not been assessed for safety in personal care products. The study also notes that numerous other products used daily, such as shampoos, lotions, bath products, cleaning sprays, air fresheners and laundry and dishwashing detergents, also contain strongly scented, volatile ingredients that are hidden behind the word "fragrance." The Environmental Protection Association (EPA) has weighed in, too – they state that fragranced products – like air fresheners, fabric refreshers and traditional cleaning products -are one of the leading contributors to poor indoor air quality, which can lead to health issues.
“Animals have faster metabolisms and smaller lungs than humans, so not only are they processing harmful chemicals used in the home more quickly, they are also breathing them in at a faster rate,” said Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM “Because animals are closer to the ground, they are more often in direct contact with these harmful substances making Fragrance Free Day of special importance for pet owners everywhere.”
More information is available via Quincy Yu’s blog post about Fragrance Free Day (http://www.odorandstainremover.com/wordpress/?p=454) and also via the Fragrance Free Day event page on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=139865449376889&ref=ts).
Seeing from what there seems to be lurking in the chemical fragrances, particularly in the USA, to ban them entirely would be a very good idea.
Many chemicals that are used to create those fragrances, and not just in so-called air-fresheners. Air-fresheners my you know what! None of them freshen the air; they pollute it while masking any smells with powerful chemicals.
Many personal scents are not too healthy either, it would seem, and thus, maybe, we should also abandon the chemical perfume industry.
If you have to use anything then make sure it is natural; not because it says natural on the spray can, but because you know it is. Get potpourri to keep a room smelling nice, including the lavatory. Just use the right stuff. Incense sticks, so-called Joss sticks, too can be very effective.
© 2010
