Comment Log Display

I support changes to regulations which could reduce the overall
public exposure to fragrances. The elimination of the exemption
should occur as soon as possible for our health and our
environment, I do not support extending the deadline to 2031.

Whether VOCs come from fragrance chemicals or from any other
sources, they affect our outdoor air pollution and our health. CARB
should be treating all industries equitably when it comes to
reducing VOC emissions. Research has shown that there is a
considerable proportion of the population that have reported
adverse reactions to fragranced products. In a national survey,
over 34% of respondents in the U.S. reported health problems, such
as migraine headaches and respiratory difficulties, in response to
exposure to fragranced products. In addition, skin allergies to
fragrance are well documented in the scientific literature. Between
2-11% of the general population experience skin allergies to
fragrance.  Also, 60% of autistic people have been found to be
sensitive to fragrance, therefore not regulating these VOCs could
be construed as discrimination against this vulnerable group.

I am very chemically sensitive and I have an autistic son who is
also chemically sensitive.  We live on 20 acres down the end of a
private road, in order to get away from the chemicals that society
uses.  Unfortunately, I have a new neighbor who uses fragranced
laundry products and I am not sure what else, and my driveway is on
an easement on their property.  I can no longer use my driveway for
recreation; walking, biking, or skiing, because of the toxic
chemicals emanating from my neighbors house.  Even when I go way
down the hill on my property and walk on the fire road, I can
sometimes smell their chemicals.  My neighbors are not sensitive
and I'm sure they don't realize that they are polluting the air not
only on my property, but also in our forest which is home to deer,
turkey, fox and bear, plus the occasional cougar and not to mention
all the birds and squirrels, etc.  This has to go back to the
manufacturer so that they are constrained in the amount of these
VOCs that are in their products.  It is important to protect
vulnerable disabled groups as well as our wildlife.

My children have been home during the pandemic, but they are
supposed to return to high school as soon as it is safe.  And I
have no idea how this will go, because of our society's addiction
to fragrance.  My children's education may suffer because of this,
if they become ill in school or if we are forced to have them
continue their education at home because of the use of fragrances
at the school.  Regulation of fragranced products is the first step
to educating people regarding the dangers posed by these toxic
VOCs, and eliminating access problems for disabled people as
required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Thank you for your consideration of these comments.

Sincerely,
Deborah Wardly, MD