Many populations including those with chemical sensitivities/intolerances, asthma, allergies, migraines, autism, ADHD and breathing and lung disorders, among others, are sick or disabled by exposure to toxic/allergic substances and products. In order to be accessible for these individuals, emergency services and disaster relief must promote healthy indoor environmental quality (IEQ) by removing or minimizing environmental barriers to the extent possible. As a first step, the FEMA workplace as well as supplies and services provided for emergency preparedness and disaster relief including medical and healthcare supplies, personal care, laundry, and cleaning and maintenance products must be fragrance-free. Scent-free policies and practices in the public and private sector are enhancing the public health and improving access for people disabled by chemical exposures. A number of federal agencies have promulgated fragrance-free policies. The U.S. Access Board adopted a fragrance-free meeting policy in 2000. The CDC adopted a comprehensive fragrance-free policy in June 2009. The CDC policy restricts employee use of fragrances and fragranced products and prohibits the use of scented cleaning and maintenance products. FEMA should follow the lead of the CDC by promulgating a fragrance-free policy for its workplace and for emergency services and disaster relief.
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Getting Real IIPromising Practices in Inclusive Emergency Management for the Whole Community |