Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is an overall reaction to chemicals breathed in, touched, or ingested. This covers a wide range of substances that we encounter every day. I want to talk about what we breathe and the physical reactions we get from the many scented products around us. I am changing the word chemical to synthetic because everything has a chemical makeup, even plants. For me, it is not the chemicals per se, it is the synthetic chemicals that irritate.

What is it like to be scent-sensitive?

Living in a heavily scented environment is very hard for people like me. We are bombarded with smells that to most people are just barely noticeable. Cologne, perfume, hairspray, and a huge one over the last few years; scented hand sanitizer, cause a physical reaction.

In an open-air space I do not have as strong a reaction but if I am in a closed-in space I feel it almost immediately. My eyes burn and start to tear up, my throat and airway feel like they are closing and I can’t get enough oxygen. It is not like an asthma attack. I do not gasp for air. It is more like I can’t breathe because the air is too heavy or thick to enter, and it burns. Then comes the headache. It starts at the temples and squeezes while traveling across my forehead and down through my eyes into my cheekbones.

It is very difficult being in a crowded store with people wearing so many different products. I can’t fault them for this. I used to wear perfume too. However, some people put on much more than they need. If this happens, and the “scent cloud” shows up in the same aisle as me over and over, I will leave the store. I have no choice. My mother used to say “If I can smell your perfume before you get here, it’s too much.”

Before entering the laundry aisle I will scan the shelves for what I need, hold my breath, and make a run for the detergent. I probably look like an idiot, but escaping with only burning eyes is considered a win in my book. We use only unscented and dye free detergent.

My daytime job is driving a school bus. In the morning, I am confined in a small space with, on average, 30 high school students who are freshly showered and sprayed. At the beginning of each school year, I explain that they cannot put anything scented on while on the bus. I have taped signs around the bus listing the kinds of products that are not acceptable. There have been times when they forget and profusely apologize. Then there have been times when some students have purposely felt the need to ignore this request. I have had to pull the bus over and open the door and window just to get oxygen and be able to see. There have been times I have had to hold my breath until a stop and then stick my head out the window like a dog, just to breathe fresh air.

Another problem product is the popular plug-in air fresheners that claim they are natural. Yes, they do have some constituents that are found in plant chemistry, but anything that is labeled “fragrance” is a protected formula by the company. They are lab created synthetic scents.

You can find a list of product ingredients here.

Report for Website Product Name:
Glade PlugIns – Apple Cinnamon Specification ID: 350000013392

Ingredients CAS Number Function

2-tert-Butylcyclohexyl acetate 88-41-5 Fragrances
Cinnamyl alcohol 104-54-1 Contains Fragrance Allergens Acetic acid, hexyl ester 42-92-7 Fragrances
Benzenepropanol 122-97-4 Fragrances
Propanedioic acid, 1,3-diethyl ester 105-53-3 Fragrances
Eugenol 97-53-0 Contains Fragrance Allergens
Gamma-undecalactone 104-67-6 Fragrances
Vanillin 121-33-5 Fragrances
Methyl alcohol 67-56-1 Fragrances
Cinnamal 104-55-2 Contains Fragrance Allergens
Coumarin 91-64-5 Contains Fragrance Allergens
Benzyl benzoate 120-51-4 Contains Fragrance Allergens
Benzenemethanol 100-51-6 Contains Fragrance Allergens

In the synthetically scented society that we live in, it is almost impossible to go anywhere without coming in contact with these substances. They are causing respiratory problems, headaches, and other health problems. In one study, it was found that both “synthetic and essential oils can cause harm, including interference with the neuroendocrine-immune axis” within sensitive groups. (Radis-Baptista G, 2023) This means they are interfering with the most important systems in our bodies. Yes even essential oils if used incorrectly or with people who are highly sensitive can cause distress or harm.

I decided to work around the scented items that fill store shelves by creating some of my own. I began making my own moisturizer, roll-on scents, and air fresheners. I am able to personalize the amount and the blend that works for me, and my scent sensitive husband. I use scents that we like and I also reap therapeutic benefits from inhaling the essential oils when I wear them.

Studying essential oils has given me a better understanding of how the body reacts and responds to plant oils. This is especially important when working with someone who has MCS. I understand and know that caution is needed. The same components of essential oils that are wonderfully beneficial, can cause both unwanted physical and emotional responses.

One step I have taken when creating new blends is to choose high quality essential oils. I only buy from companies that supply the component reports (GCMS) of the oils they sell. I want to know the percentage of each chemical component in the oil so that I can blend responsibly. I want to be able to contact the company directly if I have questions. Caution, though, is still needed.

The concept of Scented by Nature is to create personalized products for people. How exciting would that be to have your own signature blend, or blends? This is challenging when working through the internet, but I would love the opportunity to work one on one with you. Let’s put our heads together and formulate your unique Scented by Nature blend.

Reach out to me at Ann@scentedbynature.net

References

Rádis-Baptista G. Do Synthetic Fragrances in Personal Care and Household Products Impact Indoor Air Quality and Pose Health Risks? Journal of Xenobiotics. 2023; 13(1):121-131. https://doi.org/10.3390/jox13010010