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I can’t express the joy I’m feeling right now at having come across your blog. My friend sent me a link to the NYTimes May 1 2008 article “Sickened by the Office (Really)”
I’ve been suffering from MCS for a little over 4 years now. As you know, it’s been a battle not only physically but emotionally as well. Part of the struggle is “combating” people who just don’t get it.

I’d love to be part of the conversation!
Thanks!

Welcome, Skittle! I’m truly glad you found the blog. Feel free to comment. This blog is all about sharing experiences.

I work in the Disability Services for Students Office at a college in Buffalo, NY and a faculty member down the hall wears an excessive amount of patchouli oil (2 different kinds). I am very allergic and I get temporal artery headaches, my throat swells up, etc. I went to the Administration over a year ago and I was told in writing that I was not allowed to approach this person about her smell nor was I allowed to mention the horrible smell to students in our office. During exam week May 2008, four students were nauseous and had headaches due to her patchouli oil perfume. Since I am not allowed to approach this person, my boss has asked this person several times to give me the name of the products she is wearing. It has been a year now, and I still do not know what she is wearing. I have gone to an ear, nose and throat doctor, seen an allergist, and a neurologist and still cannot give them the name of the products she is wearing. An air purification unit was installed inside our office in May 2007 but this does nothing to address the issue of the smell outside our office. On June 12, 2008, I left a phone message for Ann Curry Thompson to contact me. I have contacted lawyers in the Buffalo region, but no one wants to deal with fragrance issues.

I work for a large plant. They have known about me having asthma since I was hired. I have been as a fact today I am on a unpaid leave of absence. according to what I have found in our booklets planners ect they do not show that they are allowed to do this to me unless I have asked for an unpaid leave of absence or I am being deciplined. They have had me on paid leave of absence since august 2008 at thier request, they say as of Januarary 2009 they were willing to implement a limited policy for strong scents and odors, I had agreed that would be a accomadation, They had be removed from the line and sent to HR while I was working to discuss my asthma to a cologne filled room, needless to say I have to sign some papers they say that leaves me solely responsible for all scents in the workplace and worn as personal hygiene by others there, I refuse to give up my benefits and privledges, as we all have there so in retiliation I am on unpaid leave of absence, This is a world wide Company, I have been lucky thus far and not made any mistakes, since they forseen me as a person with a disibility they have to abide by the laws. If I were to sign these papers it would remove my rights to say as an employee with my concerns, why thye have to be this way I will never figure out, the policy would help me as common sense would say, I have went to the drs, specialists, yes I have had very severe adverse reactions to smell goods worn by others. I have been told I am not allowed to discuss or ask another of thier smellgoods so How am I to know what they were wearing as they keep asking which odors bother me, I have to leave immediately when bothered and sometimes I have severe asthma attacks anyways, most were in meeting rooms.It is on record how severe I do become. anyways take care all, I have alot to do to abide by policies and procedures at work even though I am not paid, also if I don’t sign those papers by August 28, 2009 I will be terminated.Prayers for all of us with issues will be said.

Thank you for responding. Since I last wrote, the person wearing the essential oil has left our building so I have had only a few headaches. The only problem I am dealing with is becaue of the year I was bothered continuously by the smell, it aggravated my scleroderma (which I had for 20 years-but only a mild version). Now I must go through testing in a month to see if the stress, etc., caused my scleroderma to go into the next stage (which wouldn’t be good for me). If it’s true, what goes around, comes around…she will eventually get her payback. she’s still wearing her strong perfune – invading everyone’s air space. I’ll keep you in my prayers also.

I have pressed charges with the EEOC, have a mediation hearing on June 25, will let evry know what takes place