Those artificially scented products are killing us Dorothy Dobbie I


bought a face mask today. No, I am not planning to rob a bank. All I am doing is desperately trying to go into my garden without choking. This year, every


tree seems to be blasting out pollen at the same time. I am not the only one suffering tree fever this spring


and it will all be over in a week or so, but normally, I can deal with it. However, this assault comes at the end of a recent trip to a chemical-laden hotel room and I think that has left my defenses pretty spent. Why do hotels use scented products to clean room? Why do they offer us chemically-scented soaps and shampoos? Why do they wash their linen in more chemi- cally product? They clearly know that some of us cannot tolerate these products, because most offer “eco” rooms (a big joke, really because those chemicals are noxiously persistent – their ads even brag about this). I check in, having asked for a scent-free room. Nearly every time, I have to trot back down to the front desk and ask to be moved since I can smell the product – and taste it – as soon as I open the door. They generally move me, but although the scent is minimized, after a few days of exposure, my tolerance is broken down and I wheeze the night away. Last fall, I went to Brandon having been complete-


ly reassured by the hotel that they did not use scented products. Lo and behold, however, the scent was strong enough to, as my husband used to say, “knock a buz- zard off a sewer wagon” (or words to that effect). This was a real problem because every hotel room in town was booked. I ended up sleeping in the second bed of an acquaintance. What had happened to my reassurances that the room wasn’t scented? “They just started using this new product yesterday,” I was told. Yeah, right! They don’t believe that the stuff really does bother us and they “test” you by giving you an ordinary room. Nor is it just the sleazy or “bargain” hotels (like the Alt) that indulge in this practice now. Recently I stayed at the Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. My room was scent- free but the halls stank. I mentioned it to attendant at the front desk who told me I wasn’t the first to complain. I haven’t smelled product there since. These scents are ubiquitous, thanks to their presence in laundry products. You can deal with it in an open space, but I sneezed my head off on the plane home as my lungs filled up with phlegm. Every second person smelled like


There is a growing awareness that the artificial fragrances used in many products are actually hazardous to people’s health.


what my mother used to call “loose women”, including the men.


Many of these products are carcinogenic, but that


doesn’t seem to have impressed regulators, even though studies proving this go back 10 years or more. A 2008 study by the University of Washington found that, even back then, 26 popular air fresheners and laundry prod- ucts contained 58 different volatile organic compounds above a concentration of 300 micrograms per cubic me- ter, seven of which were labelled as toxic and hazardous under U.S. law. In a more recent article published in 2019, artificial scents were singled out as the most harmful chemicals in products. The website, Natural Living Family, which publishes medically reviewed material, had this to say: “Artificial fragrances are usually to blame in cases of chemical sensitivity, allergic reactions, and rashes. Pul- monologists almost universally recommend removing


on lighter more breath- able shoes. So here are a few things to consider when choosing summer footwear: Just like in winter, one


pair of shoes isn’t going to be the only pair you will need. Think of some of


the summer experi-


ences you probably want to enjoy:


• Being by the pool. • Hiking, being by the


lake, walking on pebbles or uneven terrain. • Looking good at the patio, having


Dr. Gillian Aldous Foot Notes


pretty feet. • A big social: wedding, outdoor celebration….this may be a whole day event.


However, for all of us duties that are more mundane come to mind:


T


“Which sandals should I chose?” N


ow that summer is here every- one wants to get out of their heavy winter footwear and put


• Work! Offices, stores, industrial, ag- ricultural spaces. • Regular household chores. • Groceries (Please note: I am very fond of saying that some stores seem to be a long way from the parking lot!). • Our Yard work. I


really would advise that all these different type of activities will need a range of summer foot- wear.


I do know that style is important:


Christian Louboutin:


“A shoe is not only a de- sign, but it’s part of your


body language, the way you walk. The way you’re going to move is quite dictated by your shoes.” For more comfortable summer feet,


remember basic foot hygiene: Wash feet daily. If your feet are healthy, a mild soap will be fine. Dry thoroughly.


the artificial fragrance from commercial products unless specifically sold as perfuming agents, as our lungs are constantly inundated with harmful, unnecessary fumes. Many are known carcinogens and endocrine disrupters.” As for me, I have a friend whose home I can’t visit because, when I do, I have to change and wash all my clothing and have a shampoo and shower before I can sleep. If I have worn a coat, I have to hang it outside for several days to let the odour disperse. My neighbour also uses dryer products whose scent comes blasting out of her vents, forcing me to leave the garden when she is dong her wash. These chemical scents should be banned. They do not


do a thing to enhance the effectiveness of the product. They are simply a marketing ploy to attract unsuspecting women. Meanwhile, they are making life unbearable for a whole lot of people.


I hate to think of the harm they are doing to babies.


For both genders, cream on the feet


is useful (it helps keep the skin healthy). Remember a good quality cream (not a body lotion), and not in between the digits.


Change socks daily. There are number of different fabrics in socks available, some allow the feet to ‘breathe’ more easily (the fabrics try to wick the heat away from the foot). If you can wear a different pair of shoes every day. Our feet will sweat more in the summer heat and while we are ac- tive. The shoe will feel better if we allow it to air dry for some time. Remember, consider what activity you


are going to do, and chose the summer shoe for this. Two different quotes to think of: “The weak warrior wearing sandals over- comes the brave with a thorn in his feet.” – Nigerian proverb. “Flip


flops….make your toes feel like


they’re on vacation.” – Art.com: inspira- tional message on poster.


The style of the sandal is important.


An Intermediate Care Facility for Seniors 495 Stradbrook Ave. • Winnipeg


Torvaldson Care Center


Please call for more information or to arrange a tour Jocelyn Torvaldson 452-4044 (weekdays) www.thorcare.ca E-mail: thorcare@shaw.ca


Over 50 years of caring fo Senios! 8 www.lifestyles55.net


Torvaldson Care Center is a government licensed, family run Intermediate Care facility providing care to seniors since 1959. We offer a moderately sized, non- institutional environment with professional services to meet the needs of those in the later stages of life.


‘Intermediate’ Personal Care is provided to those who require more assistance than in Supportive Housing or Assisted Living residences. Intermediate care provides ‘lighter’ care and support to residents as compared to the heavier care in a Personal Care Home. Thorvald- son Care Center is the only Intermediate Care facility in Manitoba.


Nowadays, there


are many different


styles to choose from: athletic, hiking styles; traditional styles (with backs to the heel, or a strap, or no back); flip flop and sporty flip flop styles. All of these types of sandal have a place, but please remember your activity level. If you are going to be walking for some time, then you may find that wear- ing a very basic flip flop style sandal can cause discomfort. In basic flip flops the foot is not well supported and will move around a lot. This causes friction, and it is the skin that suffers with this. For some people the skin on the foot will become dry, callused, and sometimes blister. Footwear plays an important role in our gait, or how we walk. Unsupport- ive sandals can lead us to get lower leg problems such as shin splints, or heel pain.


Please be stylish and enjoy the summer but always have a good light-weight pair of runners tucked away somewhere. Gillian Aldous (Podiatrist) will be avail- able for consults later in Thursday evenings.


What does Intermediate Personal Care offer? • 24 hour care / supervision by Health Care Aides • Registered Nurse on-site (weekdays) • Medications, inhalers, eyedrops are administered • Monitored blood sugar / blood pressure • Bloodwork, EKG, Xray services • Medical appts / transportation arranged • Assist with bathing (complete assist), dressing, hygiene • Assist with catheters / oxygen • Private, bedsitting room with bathroom • Two nurse call buttons in each suite • Three home-cooked meals per day plus snacks • Housekeeping (daily), Laundry (personal and linens) • Accredited Activity Director & Recreation Programs


June 2019


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