» Law

Dutch yearn for tobacco aroma after smoking ban

airsense — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 03:08:50 +0000

In response to a nationwide smoking ban in the Netherlands, Dutch cafes are seeking ways to cover up the nasty odors of stale beer and sweaty patrons. The ban, which went into effect on July 1, prohibits smoking in indoor public spaces. A Dutch ambient scenting company is rising to the occasion, and filling the spaces with the artificial aromas of cigarettes and cigars. According to the company, these are the smells people want, only now they’re new and improved, because they pose no health risks and don’t linger in hair and clothing.

Lawsuit filed over scent-related patent

airsense — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:39:07 +0000

Dial, maker of Dial soap and Renuzit air fresheners, is suing S.C. Johnson & Son, maker of Glade PlugIns air fresheners, for alleged patent infringement. This lawsuit follows on the heels of a suit that’s pending in federal court, in which Johnson claimed Dial was infringing on Johnson’s patent of the way the scents are emitted.

Links:

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel

Fragrance-free schools in Minnesota?

airsense — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 02:44:00 +0000

Minnesota state representative Karen Clark has just introduced a bill aimed at scaling back the use of fragrances in Minnesota schools. While her original intention was that the bill would propose banning fragrances in schools altogether, the version of the bill she introduced is scaled back to an “awareness campaign.” The campaign would be similar to programs of the University of Minnesota’s Disability Services office. Apparently one in eight students in Minneapolis has asthma, and adverse reactions to fragrances in schools are not uncommon. Students interviewed blame the boys, who are dousing themselves in Axe instead of showering.

Read more in USA Today and My Fox Twin Cities

Microwave popcorn eater sues over lung disease

airsense — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:16:00 +0000

The first known consumer to have developed lung disease from sniffing the butter flavoring used in microwave popcorn has filed a law suit against the popcorn company. The lung disease, bronchiolitis obliterans, has been known to affect factory workers who mix the butter flavoring. The flavoring contains the flavoring chemical diacetyl, the vapors of which cause this rare but severe respiratory illness. Read more in the Boston Herald

Cosmetic group changes name to focus on safety

airsense — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 18:12:00 +0000

In response to growing consumer demand for regulation of cosmetics and fragrances, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association has renamed itself the Personal Care Products Council. Chaired by the president of global strategy at Proctor & Gamble, the newly named PCPC plans to provide safety information about the contents and formulation processes in personal care products such as cosmetics and fragrances. The PCPC’s main vehicle for disseminating information is a web site: www.cosmeticsinfo.org. More at cosmeticsdesign.com

Ambient scenting industry responds to asthma study

airsense — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 20:19:00 +0000

Household spray cleaners and air fresheners may be an important risk factor in new-onset asthma, according to a study published this month in American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. The research involved collaboration from twelve scientists across Europe and over 3,500 subjects. According to the study results, frequency of use of glass cleaner, furniture sprays, and spray air fresheners correlated with increased frequency in new-onset asthma.

With use of household air fresheners in the U.S. at an all-time high, what effect with this health news have on the multi-billion dollar industry? Richard Weening, CEO of ambient-scenting company Prolitec, believes the news will change the way consumers shop for scenting products.

“Not all products and technologies are equal,” says Weening. “The dangerous products contain volatile compounds made necessary by the inferior technology of the spray bottle. With the proper technology, these chemicals aren’t needed.”

To address these issues, Prolitec has developed a proprietary scent-distribution technology and machine that produces microscopic-sized fragrance particles in miniscule amounts, compared to the huge particles and large amounts created by a spray bottle. Prolitec provides scent machines to businesses and homeowners across the world.

With the EPA and the Consumer Product Safety Commission currently considering risk assessment and regulation of the industry, changes are on the horizon. But despite the current lack of government regulation on the air freshening industry, there are some guidelines that could be used by makers of scenting products.

“We’ve used California Prop. 65 and OSHA subpart Z to guide us,” says Weening. “Consumer health and safety have been foremost for us in the development of our technology and fragrances.” Prolitec’s products use only pure fragrance oil and inert ingredients, made possible, according to Weening, by Prolitec’s technology.