Professor urges us to take people with chemical sensibility into account

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http://networkedblogs.com/p26696776

Yesterday (Feb 2, 2010), in an independent student newspaper from the University

of New Hampshire, a professor of chemical engineering appealed to the community

to take " Canaries " into account regarding the use of chemicals and especially

scents. He spoke of those persons who suffer from Chemical Sensitivity and who

have to be seen – like those former canaries in mines – as indicators for toxic

chemicals.

Some American and Canadian Universities have a " Scent Free Policy " which means

that the use of perfumes and products containing scents is prohibited within

these Universities. All visitors have to meet this policy. It allows students

with allergy and chemical sensitivity to work and study.

Professor Ihab Farag, Chemical Engineering Department:

Many of us are familiar with canaries, the beautiful, colorful birds that tend

to sing most of the time. Canaries also saved many human lives in coalmines.

This is because canaries are much more sensitive to toxic gases than humans.

Miners would take canaries with them in the coalmine. If the canary stopped

singing and fell (or died), the miners knew to leave the coal mine quickly to

safety.MORE at link...