Two decades of data from California suggests that being exposed to fragrances at work can increase one’s chance of developing asthma or trigger a flare-up of pre-existing asthma. Fragrance exposure may occur with the use of air fresheners or when coworkers use fragrances for personal care. In late August, the California Department of Public Health’s Occupational Health Branch introduced a new web page which focuses on fragrances as part of its Work-Related Asthma Prevention Program: https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CCDPHP/DEODC/OHB/WRAPP/Pages/Fragrances.aspx

The web page, “Fragrances & Work-Related Asthma”, provides information on fragrance exposure and resources for creating work places with healthy indoor air quality.