|
This was an act of
aggression against the teacher who was known to be made severely ill by chemicals used to make synthetic fragrances. The teacher was already living with chemical injury as a result of a formaldehyde accident -- she risked her health in an effort to protect her students' health and well-being.
Spraying perfume in the work area of the already chemically injured should be viewed not as a prank, but as an assault. Anaphylactic shock; respiratory diseases such as asthma, sinusitis, laryngitis, rhinitis; neurological reactions such as migraines, dizziness, brain fog, black-outs, siezures; fibromyalgia; gastrointestinal problems; "overactive" bladder (incontinence); skin reactions such as eczema, acne, rashes, intense burning and itching, hives; or premature death, are nothing to sneeze at.
Based on the blistering of paint as pictured above, I'd suggest using fragrances as paint strippers, but can't you just imagine they'd be restricted for use? I can just "see" that warning label now:
WARNING! USE ONLY IN WELL-VENTILATED AREA
WITH PROTECTIVE CLOTHING, GOOGLES AND FULLY-FUNCTIONING RESPIRATOR.
The following is real information about a single chemical discovered through product analysis. The chemical is: Cyclopenta(g) -2-benzopyran, 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexadro- 4,6,6,7,8-hexamethyl- (GALAXOLIDE 50) -- a synthetic musk compound, "fluidized with diethyl phthalate. (IFF)" Percent of fragrance portion of formula: 3.52; CAS #1222-05-5
Some of the info found on an MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet:
"Irritant ... TOXICOLOGICAL INFORMATION: Acute effects To the best of our knowledge, the chemical, physical, and toxicological properties have not been thoroughly investigated.
Causes skin irritation.
May be harmful if absorbed through the skin.
May cause eye irritation.
May be harmful if inhaled.
Material may be irritating to mucous membranes and upper respiratory tract.
May be harmful if swallowed.
Hazardous ingredients: Contains diethyl phthalate, chemical abstracts registry number 84-66-2. (Aldrich)
Listed: Toxic Substances Control Act. http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu/TSCA/A11/T5141.htm
and as CAS # 84-66-2 http://msds.pdc.cornell.edu/TSCA/A123/T61330.htm
Both CAS # above, listed: Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances.
By the way, using the information provided in the Analysis Summary of FDA Petition 99P-1340, you may wish to count up the number of chemicals about which too little toxicological information is known and then count up those appearing on the EPA's Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Inventory and the Registry of Toxic Effects of Chemical Substances (RTECS).
Sourece: Analysis Summary: Eternity eau de parfum by Calvin Klein; FDA Petition, Docket Number 99P-1340.
http://www.ehnca.org/www/FDApetition/analysis.htm
For complete information on the FDA Petition, including FDA contact info, please visit
http://www.ehnca.org/www/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm
-- barb
ASSAULT BY SCENT! OR: Keeping Smelly Students at Bay
Aired February 1, 1998 - 1:45 p.m. ET
CNN EARTH MATTERS; Anne McDermott explains.
Even from antagonists, we can gather information. In this case, a CNN interview. -- barb
http://www.forces.org/absurd/files/scent.htm
Education Intelligence Agency
January 19, 1998
Near the bottom of the page. -- barb
"Three thousand miles away, the Culver City Federation of Teachers (an AFT
affiliate) is supporting the installation of video cameras in a teacher¼s classroom.
The reason? They want to catch the students who have been assaulting her... by wearing
perfume. Judith Sanderson has a severe chemical intolerance that is aggravated by
fragrances. She alleged that students would deliberately spray her classroom with
perfumes to harass her. The surveillance cameras are actually a compromise. Sanderson
had demanded a security guard, a campus-wide ban on perfumes and colognes and
the emptying of a 100-locker security zone around her classroom. The union stands
behind Sanderson. 'If kids find out they can harass a teacher with impunity, they will,'
said local president David Mielke."
http://home.earthlink.net/~mantonucci/archives/19980119.htm
The Environmental Health Network of California Files Petition With the FDA
Cover Letter by Amy Marsh (then president)
Near the bottom of the page. -- barb
http://ehnca.org/www/FDApetition/fdacovlt.htm
JAN -- Job Accommodation Network
ADAM NEWSLETTER-Bureau of National Affairs
July 9, 1998, Vol. 7, No. 13
Vol. 7, No. 13 July 9, 1998
Scroll to bottom to read:
Teacher With Chemical Sensitivity
"A school district is not required to institute a fragrance-free policy to accommodate a
chemically sensitive high school teacher, nor is it required to station a security guard
near her classroom door or discontinue the use of student lockers surrounding her
classroom, a labor arbitrator decided (Culver City Unified School District and California
Federation of Teachers, Arb. Ronald Hoh, CSMCS Case No. 96-3-740, 11/25/97).
"Judith Sanderson, who has been diagnosed as 'chemically injured,' experiences nausea,
feverishness, and chest pain when exposed to personal fragrance products such as
perfume, hairspray, and scented body lotions. Severe exposure can result in a respiratory
infection.
"The Culver City School District made several accommodations for Sanderson, including
changing internal doors from wood to metal, not fumigating for termites, sealing
vents and other openings between her classroom and adjoining rooms, altering the
cleaning schedule and cleaning supplies used in her classroom, and purchasing an air
purifier for her classroom.
"Although the accommodations have helped Sanderson perform her job more efficiently,
she testified that her exposure to fragrance 'assaults' --conscious actions by students
in spraying cologne or perfume into her classroom, onto her door, or on other
students in her classes--had continued.
"Establishing a fragrance-free campus is not a reasonable remedy, arbitrator Ronald Hoh
decided, noting that neither the ADA nor the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 would
require such an action. A fragrance-free policy would be 'extremely difficult to enforce'
and could raise potential Fourth Amendment issues regarding unreasonable search
and seizure, he wrote.
"Hoh acknowledged the 'extensive frustration' caused by the 'fragrance assaults,' which
was 'due largely to difficulties in identifying suspects.' However, stationing a security
guard near Sanderson's classroom between class periods and during lunch would
impose an undue hardship on the district, he said, noting that the high school has only
three full-time security guards for the entire campus and its 1,900 students.
"But the installation of oscillating surveillance cameras in and outside Sanderson's
classroom would 'effectively deter students from engaging in the vast majority of such
'assaults,' ' Hoh decided, adding that the cost to the school district would be minimal.
"Sanderson's request for discontinued use of the student lockers surrounding her
classroom is unreasonable, Hoh ruled, given an existing shortage of lockers and high
replacement costs. However, "because the source of [Sanderson's] concern is the students
who occupy the lockers . . . I believe it is reasonable to allow [Sanderson] input on the
subject of which students may occupy those lockers,' Hoh said. He ordered the district
to allow Sanderson to compile a list of 'acceptable students,' who are 'aware of
and concerned about' her condition, to occupy those lockers."
http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/english/pubs/OtherPubs/fragrance.html
OR, via the Wayback Machine
http://web.archive.org/web/19990922081136/http://janweb.icdi.wvu.edu/english/pubs/OtherPubs/fragrance.html
SAFE SCHOOLS
by Irene Ruth Wilkenfeld; January 7, 1998
"Judy Sanderson, chemically sensitive Culver City high school biology teacher who has
taught at the school since 1970, and who has been the victim of 'fragrance assaults'
by some of her students on more than 90 occasions (since 1993), has won some
predecent-setting accommodations after a collective bargaining agreement was issued
by arbitrator, Ronald Hoh, signed on November 25, 1997 (California State Mediation
and Conciliation Service Case # 96-3-740). In a landmark decision by a state arbitrator
released in late November, student pranksters caught dousing the teacher or her
classroom with fragrance-based products will be punished as they would be for any
other physical assault on an instructor. ... "
http://members.aol.com/ECHOMCSCT/home4.html
Sick School Syndrome in the News
Irene Wilkenfeld's Safe Schools site
From: The Culver City Chronicle (CA) - December 17, 1997
http://www.head-gear.com/SafeSchools/news.html
Via the Wayback Machine:
http://web.archive.org/web/20010513095415/http://www.head-gear.com/SafeSchools/news.html
Some say a popular perfume is a health danger!!
WSFA Ch 12
http://www.wsfa.com/Global/story.asp?s=58076
Irene Ruth Wilkenfeld's Safe Schools
- MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY = AN ENVIRONMENTAL INJUSTICE
Environmental Medicine
"The following letter is eloquently written by Irene Wilkenfeld to the National
Environmental Justice Advisory Council (NEJAC). It addresses many of the issues which
confront those with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (a.k.a. MCS or Environmental Illness)."
http://breakoutwebsolutions.com/NEWAH3EM/Irenepg.htm
- SAFE SCHOOLS
by Irene Ruth Wilkenfeld; January 7, 1998
"Judy Sanderson, chemically sensitive Culver City high school biology teacher who has
taught at the school since 1970, and who has been the victim of 'fragrance assaults'
by some of her students on more than 90 occasions (since 1993), has won some
predecent-setting accommodations after a collective bargaining agreement was issued
by arbitrator, Ronald Hoh, signed on November 25, 1997 (California State Mediation
and Conciliation Service Case # 96-3-740). In a landmark decision by a state arbitrator
released in late November, student pranksters caught dousing the teacher or her
classroom with fragrance-based products will be punished as they would be for any
other physical assault on an instructor. ... "
http://members.aol.com/ECHOMCSCT/home4.html
Via the Wayback Machine:
http://web.archive.org/web/20000420170010/http://members.aol.com/ECHOMCSCT/home4.html
- Sick School Syndrome in the News
Irene Wilkenfeld's Safe Schools site
From: The Culver City Chronicle (CA) - December 17, 1997
http://www.head-gear.com/SafeSchools/news.html
Via the Wayback Machine:
http://web.archive.org/web/20010513095415/http://www.head-gear.com/SafeSchools/news.html
Woman wins over 'chemical terrorism'
The Ragged Edge
http://www.ragged-edge-mag.com/mar98/drnat03.htm#chem
And lest you think that students only attack teachers with perfume and fragrance products, think again. Fragrances are being used as weapons of assault on fellow students. See EHN's "Assaulted" at http://ehnca.org/www/ehnlinx/a.htm#Assaulted.
On the plus side of our invisible ledger, we have schools banning fragrances in an attempt to clear the air for all. For a list of proactive schools with links to their fragrance-free policies, visit, EHN's "Take Heart"! at http://ehnca.org/www/ehnhompg/takheart.htm#School. -- barb
|
