Fragrance Free:

Some dance attendees suffer from heightened sensitivity to solvents and petroleum products including perfume and fragrance. These chemicals can act not only as respiratory irritants, but also as cardiac stimulants and neurotoxins. Exposure to products containing even small amounts of these chemicals can cause participants to become unwell. Because the dance halls are enclosed spaces, even small amounts of fragrance or scented or toxic products on a few people can add up quickly to intolerable amounts.

Please understand that this is not just a preference issue - it can be a serious health issue. Chemical sensitivity results from continued exposure to solvents and products in doses thought to be safe: this could happen to any one of us. Our fellow dancers with chemical sensitivities may not be able to attend unless we all work together to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals.

We ask that you please:

  • Do not wear perfume, cologne or aftershave
  • Avoid scented versions of products like shampoo, soap, make-up, conditioner, deodorant, chapstick, hair gel, or hand lotion.
  • Do not use hair spray or dandruff shampoo - even the unscented varieties can trigger reactions in chemically-sensitive people because they contain toxic products.
  • If possible use a fragrance-free laundry detergent for the clothes you bring to events and do not use fabric softener. Air out dry-cleaned clothes and clothes stored in mothballs thoroughly before bringing to events.

Credits

The wording of this page is taken from the Bay Area Country Dance Society pages.