Town Hall accessibility project underway.

As April began, the ash trees were gone, the photocopier had been moved into the hallway . . . and that was just the beginning! Over the next few months there will be a lot happening in the Town Hall as construction crews make the building accessible to people with disabilities. This is bound to create some inconveniences for both visitors and staff.  Please bear with us during this time.

This project is being funded through a grant awarded last year from the Department of Housing and Community Development. 

What is Fragrance Free, anyway?
FAQ About Fragrances
Ziporah Hildebrandt, Chair, ADA Committee

Q: What is the big deal?

A: There are two big problems with fragrances. The first—that fragrances contain highly toxic chemicals—affects everyone. The second problem affects only people who are chemically sensitive, or have related health problems such as chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, asthma, and immune dysfunction. The neurotoxic, carcinogenic, endocrine-disrupting and other toxic chemicals contained in fragrances can make anyone sick in large enough quantities.

People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) will virtually always get sick from even slight traces of these chemicals.

We all have something called a blood-brain barrier that is designed to keep toxins that are in our bloodstream out of our brains. This tissue is damaged in people with MCS. Toxins that others can tolerate in small quantities are quite dangerous to people with MCS because they go right into their brain tissues, where they affect multiple body systems. In addition, fragrances usually have other chemicals in them that make their smell go farther and stick to things longer. These chemicals are also toxic to sensitive people. They can cause extremely upsetting symptoms as well as irreparable damage.

Q: How about natural fragrances? Are they ok?

A: No. People with asthma, allergies and MCS can react badly to natural substances as well as to synthetic ones. Most synthetic chemicals were originally copied from nature. Our cells contain receptors for thousands of different chemicals, and do not distinguish the slight differences between natural and synthetic chemicals. Once someone becomes sensitive to a type of chemical, that person may react to many similar chemicals, regardless of their origin.

In addition, products labeled as "natural" usually contain synthetic ingredients along with natural ones. And, as anyone with allergies knows, natural things do make certain people sick.

Q: What is the difference between “unscented” and “fragrance free”?

A: A product that is labeled “unscented” often contains masking fragrances. These are chemicals added to the product to neutralize the odor of the other ingredients. These chemicals are fragrances, though they may not have a detectable smell. “Fragrance free” means that no fragrance ingredients have been added to the product. The product may still have the smell of the ingredients themselves. Sensitive people find that “fragrance free” is the safer choice.

Q: Are essential oils fragrances?

A: Yes. They are added to products to make them smell nice or to add healing properties. Essential oils are concentrated natural chemicals extracted from plants. Sensitive people can react to them. Plus, they are routinely cut with synthetic chemicals, and there is usually no way to know this from reading the label. If you are wearing essential oils, or using a product containing essential oils, you are not “fragrance free.”

Q: How can I tell if I’m “fragrance free”?

A: Check the labels on all of your personal care products, from the laundry room to the bathroom and shower to the bedroom. Look for “fragrance free” products to replace your scented ones. The only way to be absolutely sure is not to apply any personal care products, launder your clothing with unscented products, and avoid being around smoke and other people’s fragrances.

Q: I wear fragranced products but no one ever complains, so I'm ok, right?

A: Wrong. There are many reasons why someone who is affected by your fragrance is silent. There is a strong taboo in our society against talking about how we smell. Many people avoid confrontation and making a fuss about their own needs in public. Your fragrance may have already affected someone so much that she or he has trouble speaking, thinking, taking action or even remaining awake and conscious. Many people with MCS simply stay home most of the time.

Q: Are fragrances the only problem?

A: No. Other smells and chemicals are big problems for many with MCS. The residue on hair, skin and clothing from smoke, petroleum products, cleaning products, pesticides, dry cleaning, fax/printer/copier toner, and other substances can also make people sick.

Q: What if I am already contaminated with terrible smells but I have to go somewhere that is Fragrance Free?

A: If you can, shower beforehand using baking soda instead of soap and shampoo. Baking soda effectively removes many odors. Change into clothing that has not been dry cleaned or laundered with scented products, especially fabric softeners, and has not been around smoke or fragrances. Rinse contaminated clothes with baking soda. Dry without additives. Wear a hat to contain residual odors from hair products. Wear an uncontaminated shirt over your other clothing. Depending on the event, these measures may be sufficient. Ask others present if your clothing, hair, etc. is a problem. Leave if you cause discomfort to others, or sense that your presence may be a problem. Remember: “An ounce of prevention!” Planning ahead to be free of scents is the easiest and best solution.

Q: Why do we have to bother with being fragrance free?

A: Fragrance free is a civil rights issue. The federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guarantees disabled persons access to all public services and programs. This includes public meetings, events, and services such as education and library programs. Your cooperation with Shutesbury's fragrance free policy is the most practical and least expensive way to provide access at this time. Suggestions, questions or comments about accessibility in Shutesbury are welcome. Please contact Town Administrator David Ames, Shutesbury's ADA Coordinator at 259-1214, townadmin@shutesbury.org, or Ziporah Hildebrandt, Chair, ADA Committee at 259-1874, zhildebrandt@hampshire.edu.

Help keep Monday morning fragrance free at the library

Ziporah Hildebrandt, Chair, ADA Committee

Recent visitors to the Spear Library on Monday mornings have seen a new sign announcing Fragrance Free Hours.

This sign lists products that are strictly barred from the library from 10:30-noon, so that patrons disabled with severe Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) can enter the building. These community members can be seriously affected with severe pain, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, respiratory distress and other symptoms from just one whiff of many chemicals—even "natural" products.

            The ADA Committee requests that the community offer maximum support from patrons who use the library at this time. Strict adherence to the requirements of the Fragrance Free Hours are necessary for the health and safety of disabled residents of Shutesbury, and their right to access library services.

If Fragrance Free Hours do not receive the voluntary cooperation of every patron, other measures (translation: expensive accommodations) will be necessary to ensure that disabled people have access to library services. Fragrance Free Hours have been carefully thought out and developed for over a year. They are the least expensive, most workable, and best way to create access to library services for people disabled with MCS. This solution requires your help to work.

            During Fragrance Free Hours, no one should enter the building wearing any type of fragrance, or carrying the residue of smoke, laundry products, hair styling products, personal care products, and other chemicals (even natural products) on their person. People who have some sensitivities must not assume that products that don't bother them are therefore safe for those disabled with MCS. They are not.

            The library's new air filter is running continuously during this time. The laser printer is not run, and other activities that pollute the air are not engaged in during this time. Anyone entering the building who is not in compliance will be asked to leave. Please see the article on page 1 in Our Town about the meaning of "fragrance free."

            We hope that those members of the community who have been afraid or unable to come to the library will now do so. We thank everyone for their understanding and willingness to accommodate disabled members of the community in this way. We apologize for any inconvenience, and hope that Fragrance Free Hours will soon become a routine part of Shutesbury life.

            Suggestions, questions or comments about Fragrance Free Hours are welcome. Please contact Town Administrator David Ames, Shutesbury's ADA Coordinator, 259-1214, townadmin@shutesbury.org, or Ziporah Hildebrandt, Chairperson, ADA Committee, 259-1874, zhildebrandt@hampshire.edu.