Group Exercise: A Fragrance Free School

Particulate matter contributes to 800,000 premature deaths globally. Mortality has been shown to have been linked to cardiovascular disease shortly after particulate matter exposure (Anderson, Thundiyil, & Stolbach, 2012). In addition to cardiovascular disease, particulate matter exposure exacerbates respiratory illness and increases morbidity and mortality due to pulmonary inflammation that leads to anatomical and physiologic pulmonary changes and decrease lung function. Indoor air quality can often be more toxic and damaging than outdoor air because buildings are more energy efficient and air tight. Toxins in an indoor air environment get trapped can become more highly concentrated than if they were outside.

Children are at an increased risk for toxic exposure (Suwanwaiphatthana, Ruangdej, Turner-Hanson, 2010). They breathe more, eat more, and drink more than adults per body weight and they have a faster respiratory rate which can bring in more toxin. Additionally, their growing bodies put them at risk for toxic effects because cells that are rapidly dividing are at an increased risk for cancers. Young children are at an even more risk because their lungs are still developing until 8 years old and exposure to toxic chemicals could injure their pulmonary tissues causing lasting effects.


Fragrances have been shown to be toxic among mice. In a study conducted by Anderson and Anderson (1998) demonstrated that mice had neurotoxic effects when they were were exposed to air fresheners. The researchers wrote that...
"The emissions of these fragrance products caused various combinations of sensory irritation, pulmonary irritation, decreases in expiratory airflow velocity, as well as alterations of the functional observational battery indicative of neurotoxicity. Neurotoxicity was more severe after mice were repeatedly exposed to the fragrance products."

 Public health nurses, school nurses and pediatric nurses have an opportunity to decrease the toxic exposure of fragrances in the school environment (Barnes et al., 2010). These nurses are patient and child advocates can collaborate with the local public health department to work with the school district to improve the health of their students. Parents and teacher learn how a fragrance-free school and environment can positively improve the health of the children.

 What do you guys think?

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