Chemical hypersensitivity, or seeing odors as a threat

You are browsing the Radio-Canada website

Skip to main contentGo to footerHelp with navigation

Start of main content

Start of content

Hélène Mercier, the burglar journalist: Limit the use of perfumes

6 minute duration6 min

Odors and perfumes can cause stress and other symptoms for some people according to the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ)PHOTO : getty images/istockphoto / AndreyPopov

Is it necessary to frame by regulations the presence of odors in public places? Recently, the City of Gatineau and the Outaouais region asked themselves the question. Our journalist-burglar, Hélène Mercier, talks regarding multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome, a disorder that affects 0.5 to 3% of the population, according to the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ).

She explains that people with this syndrome can experience periods of acute stress because they see odors as a threat. One of the solutions would be to adopt the use of fragrance-free household products.

Hélène Mercier points out that the City of Gatineau is not the first municipal administration in Canada to ask questions regarding fragrances in its public places.