Gripes

WOW! I am so glad to find this site!
My problem is basically at work (Dr.’s office!) my office is directly across from the employee bathroom and “air freshener” is used daily, multiple times! I constantly have my fan running, open my one window (regardless of temperature - I would rather freeze or sweat than suffocate) I have tried posting
different notes directly on the cans i.e.”causes headaches, burning nostrils and naseau please use sparingly, turn on exhaust fan and shut door - thanks” But all the other employees think I am wierd or something. They may make effort for a few days then go back to their old ways. One day I returned from lunch and could smell “it” as soon as I walked in the front door, even though my office is in the back. Unfortuanate for me, I had a mini-breakdown, noisily flipped on the exhaust fan, slammed the bathroom door and then my office door and just screamed I’m #@$#@ SUFFOCATING!!! This is not the professional manner that I wish to demonstrate but I don’t know how to get them to realize how much I am suffering.
I can’t move my office because the other rooms don’t have windows and I feel like I crave fresh air constantly.
Any suggestions (besides quitting this job?) Until I saw this website, I felt so alone ! Thanks for being here ! I’ll be back soon!

Well, if it’s a can of “air freshener”, I might see to it that it keeps disappearing. Tee Hee.

I had a similar problem with one of those that spews “air freshener” every so often. One day it seemed like every time I went in there it sprayed me. I was livid. Eventually, I was able to convince them to keep the machine off in one of the restrooms. But I also endured many of the you-must-be-crazy looks.

Is management any help?

Welcome to the blog. Feel free to leave comments or gripes.

I have actually tossed cans in the trash before but someone retrieved them!
Management, unfortunately, is one of the worst offenders. It is a small office (the Dr. and 4 employees, including me).
They did switch to phalates free Febreze Air Effects after I posted a copy of a 9/19/07 article about a study done by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) showing that products with phalates may affect hormone and reproductive development and cause birth defects. They also discontinued using the citrus spray which the study showed contains terpenes, that react with ozone to produce formeldehyde (linked to cancers of the upper airway). The NRDC also found that in addition to formeldahyde, some air fresheners contain benzene, known to cause leukemia in humans!
I guess I should be thankful that my concerns weren’t completely ignored. But it all smells bad to me!
I’ve always felt that constant exposure to these products can’t be good for me. After reading about the NRDC study, I became really concerned for my health. It has caused quite a bit of anxiety for me. Thanks for letting me share my story!