People may react to office pollution with a variety of symptoms, including an increase in colds and sinus congestion, fatigue, headaches, confusion, rashes, watery or irritated eyes, depression and even seizures. These symptoms may be temporary and acute, or they may become chronic and debilitating. But for those who suffer from a medical condition known as asthma, exposure to common chemicals can prove fatal. Asthma is a literal struggle for breath. A wide variety of triggers are known to cause inflammation and swelling of the bronchial tubes, often within seconds of exposure.
Every asthma attack has the potential to suffocate.
And in this country, the death rate from asthma is climbing. Perfume is a well-known asthmatic trigger. Those who suffer from asthma or experience other symptoms of chemical sensitivity cannot afford to underestimate the dangers of perfume exposure. And yet daily exposure is virtually a given for any working adult. Often, the only option for many of these otherwise able-bodied workers is to give up their jobs and other activities in order to avoid all possible opportunities for exposure.