*A Safe Fragrance-Free
Environment*
The Health Issue
A significant number
of us suffer from heightened sensitivity to solvents and petroleum products
commonly found in perfumed and fragranced commercial products. Exposure to even
small amounts of these troublesome chemicals can cause debilitating symptoms,
since they can act as respiratory irritants, cardiac stimulants (skyrocketing
blood pressure and palpitations), and neurotoxins (causing blurred vision, loss
of equilibrium, and mental confusion). Unfortunately, these chemicals are used
in many of our daily care and personal hygiene products. Extreme chemical sensitivity
results from continued exposure to these products. Even small amounts of fragranced
or scented products used in our camp environment will compound to intolerable
levels for our most sensitive community members. Please work with us in creating
an environment that can be enjoyed fully by all members of our community.
Our Contribution
1) BACDS will supply all hand-washing
locations with fragrance-free soap.
2) All bathhouses will be stocked with
fragrance-free body wash, lotion, shampoo, and hair conditioner.
3) Mint-based insect repellent and
soy-based Bite Blocker will be available. Mendocino Woodlands will
be deploying Mosquito Magnets, which have proved effective in
keeping mosquitoes away.
Your Contribution
1) Please bring fragrance-free deodorant,
powder, body oil, and sun block.
2) Please do not bring perfume or aftershave
lotion, hair spray, dandruff shampoo or hand sanitizers.
3) Please launder your clothing in
unscented laundry detergent, avoiding fabric softener.
4) Please completely air out clothing
that has been dry-cleaned and avoid clothing that has been stored in mothballs.
If you can, wash sweaters, outdoor garments and dressy clothes, too. (These
may have picked up fragrance during previous wearings).
5) Please be aware that products containing
the insect repellents DEET or citronella can pose a significant
problem for chemically-sensitive people, especially in enclosed environments.
If you need to use Bite Blocker when spending time outdoors,
please shower and change into clean clothes before returning to enclosed camp
environments.
Suggestions
Fragrance-free products are readily available
from natural food and body care retailers and from well-stocked drugstores and
supermarkets.
• Deodorant: Tom's of Maine, Le
Stick, Jason, The Crystal, Liken, Almay, Mennen Unscented
• Hair Gel: Magick Botanicals,
KMS, AloeVera 80
• Fragrance-Free Shaving Cream:
Noxzema, Kiss My Face, English Leather
• Bar Soap: Pure & Natural
Unscented Glycerin Soap
• Laundry Soap: Arm & Hammer
Fragrance Free, All Free & Clear, Trader Joe SoapWorks
• Body Powder: baking soda and/or
cornstarch
• Lip Balm: beeswax-based varieties
• Sun Block: Nature's Gate
Thank you for your
active cooperation in making camp welcoming for all.
Victoria Williams, Camp Manager
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