HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-003-10~pIl REPORT
COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Meeting: GENERAL PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION
Date: April 19, 2010
Report#: CSD-003-10
FRAGRANCE
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Resolution#: GPA-'a~7"/U
File#:
E RECREATION FACILITIES
By-law#: N/A
It is respectfully recommended that the General Purpose and Administration Committee
recommend to Council the following:
1. THAT Report CSD-003-10 be received for information.
Submitted by:
JPC/SM/EM/wg
P. Caruana
Community
by:
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Franklin Wu,
Chief Administrative Officer
CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
40 TEMPERANCE STREET, BOW MANVILLE, ONTARIO L1C 3A6 T (905)623-3379 F (905)623-0830
REPORT NO.: CSD-003-10
PAGE 2
1.0 BACKGROUND
1.1 On January 24, 2010, the Community Services Department received a written
request from Ms. Bonnie Randell, a Courtice resident and a member of the
Courtice Fitness Facility, to designate the changerooms of the Courtice Fitness
Facility "fragrance/scent free".
1.2 Ms. Randell's concern stemmed from the use of perfumed or scented personal
products being applied liberally by the patrons of the Courtice Fitness Facility in
the confines of the fitness changeroom. Ms. Randell suffers from severe
allergies to such products and has experienced health problems that she
attributes to being exposed to scented products in the changing areas of the
Courtice Fitness Facility.
1.3 Upon receiving Ms. Randell's request, staff completed some basic research on
the issue of scent/fragrance free areas.
1.4 Research has indicated that environmental/chemical sensitivities are a group of
poorly understood medical conditions that cause people to react adversely to
environmental triggers. For individuals who suffer from chemical sensitivities,
scented products adversely affect the individual's health. While symptoms vary,
the following are examples of symptoms that have been reported:
• headaches
• dizziness, lightheadedness
• nausea
• fatigue
• upper respiratory symptoms
• shortness of breath
• skin irritation
Allergic and asthmatic patients, as well as those with other conditions, report that
certain odours, even in the smallest amounts, can trigger an attack. The severity
of these symptoms can vary. Some people report mild irritation while others are.
incapacitated and/or must give up many'normal' activities in order to avoid
exposure (such as going to public places).
1.5 Staff also surveyed local municipal and private fitness facilities and found that
several municipal fitness facilities currently encourage ascent-free environment,
but did not have a formal policy in place. Local private fitness facilities that were
contacted do not currently encourage ascent-free environment.
2.0 COMMENTS
2.1 While staff has not received significant customer feedback on the use of scented
products in municipal facilities, staff believe it would be prudent to raise
awareness of this issue with members and general facility users. While
REPORT NO.: CSD-003-10
PAGE 3
designating facilities as scent free and prohibiting the use of such products would
be extremely difficult to enforce, an awareness program would encourage the
use of scent free products and would strive to increase the general knowledge of
this issue for people who are unaware of the impact these products can have on
someone who suffers from a chemical sensitivity.
2.2 The Community Services Department will be adopting a voluntary compliance -
scent free status and undertaking an education campaign within the facility to
encourage the use of scent free products. While the specific request referenced
the changerooms of the fitness centre, staff believes in this case a universal
approach is best as it is possible that future situations could occur in pool
changerooms, arena dressing rooms as well as within the general facility.
2.3 To educate the public, we will provide notice requesting the co-operation of
facility users as of May 1, 2010 through various methods such as:
• In-house signage
• Facility and program newsletters
• Membership renewal notices
• Program and facility receipts
• Email
• LED facility signs
2.4 Community Services strives to provide facilities that are welcoming and
accessible for all. By encouraging and promoting a scent free environment this
will assist individuals with chemical sensitivities to continue to participate at
community recreation facilities.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 -Facility Signage
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