Chemical sensitivity is recognised as a disability for the purposes of the Disability Discrimination Act. The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s Access to buildings and services: Guidelines and Information includes a section on chemical sensitivity.

 

For detailed recommendations see the Indoor Environmental Quality Final Report, which was a project of the National Institute of Building Sciences with funding support from the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board). These are available at http://ieq.nibs.org/index.php  or as a pdf file at http://ieq.nibs.org/ieq_project.pdf

 

For example:

"Use fragrance-free, low-VOC cleaning products. Do not use fragrance-emitting devices (FEDS), plug-ins, or sprays; urinal or toilet blocks; or other deodorizer/re-odorizer products. Reduce odors by increasing cleaning and ventilation and/or using baking soda or zeolite to absorb odors. Do not use products containing paradichlorobenzene ( 21) or naphthalene, which are common ingredients in FEDS.

 

Do not use cleaner/disinfectant combination products. Avoid or limit the use of products containing chlorine, ammonia, quaternary ammonium, phenol, isopropyl and other alcohols, formaldehyde, and other petroleum distillates. Do not use citrus- or pine-based products. Hydrogen peroxide-based products are the preferred disinfectants, but still should be used with caution and care. Use hot water for cleaning to reduce the need for soaps, detergents, and disinfectants.

 

Use disinfectants only in areas and at strengths (i.e., levels of disinfection) required by law. Check with local health department to obtain details of all legal requirements. Clean surfaces thoroughly before disinfecting. Leave disinfectants in place for the correct amount of time before wiping surfaces clean."

 http://ieq.nibs.org/om/ra_cleaning.php

 

 Further information on reducing the use of toxic chemicals and so making buildings and public spaces more accessible for people with chemical sensitivities can be found on the following websites. (Note that not all suggestions will be appropriate for everyone or even anyone with chemical sensitivities.)

 

Job Accommodation Network

http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/MCS.html

http://www.jan.wvu.edu/media/fragrance.html

 

 Job Access (Australian government site):

Multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome

 

 

Hospitals (Health Care Without Harm)

Risks to Asthma Posed by Indoor Health Care Environments: A Guide to Identifying and Reducing Problematic Exposures

 

http://www.noharm.org

 

Commercial buildings

An Office Building Occupant's Guide to Indoor Air Quality

 

IAQ Building Education and Assessment Model (I-BEAM)

 

Schools

Chemical Awareness in Schools

http://www.netspeed.com.au/rdi/cas/index.html

 

IAQ Tools for Schools Program

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schools/

 

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Schools

(US EPA)

http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm/index.htm

 

IAQ Design Tools for Schools

http://www.epa.gov/iaq/schooldesign/index.html