Daily, nearly all of us are involuntarily exposed to neurotoxic fragrances, carcinogenic air fresheners, endocrine disrupting scented cleaning agents, hormone disrupting and cancer-causing VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) and many other dangerous airborne toxicants in shared public spaces. 

Dr. Anne Steinemann posits that many fragranced personal products create toxic environments that contribute to illness, and moreover, her research shows that 34.7% of the population experiences adverse health effects from fragrances (2016). Note: This harm from the chemicals in fragrance occurs at a significantly higher prevalence than harm from peanuts—which occurs at only approximately 1.8% in the general population in the United States (Sicherer et al., 2010).

For those living with mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), Multiple Chemical Poisoning (MCP)/Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Toxicant-Induced loss of Tolerance (TILT), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), long COVID, Lyme disease, asthma, migraines, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and various other health conditions, their exposures are not merely unpleasant—they're often serious and even life-threatening.

Reactions can include: breathing difficulties (like severe asthma), neurological symptoms (like anaphylaxis), complex migraines, cognitive impairment (“brain fog” and seizures), skin reactions, mast cell activation, dizziness, disorientation, heart palpitations, tachycardia and immune dysfunction etc. Furthermore, the endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in many fragrant products have been linked to cancer, liver issues, kidney disease (Jiang, Want, Xiao, Xu, Chen), hormone disruption and heart disease (Cleveland Clinic).

None of this is a new revelation, yet sadly, there still is no meaningful change to protect the air we breathe. 

There are many medical organizations and agencies that support fragrance-free spaces, including the American Medical Association, which officially recognizes that fragrances can “substantially interfere with a person’s major life activities” and supports accommodations for individuals affected by chemical sensitivities (American Medical Association, 1992/2008); the American Lung Association, which warns that indoor air can be significantly more polluted than outdoor air due to concentrated chemical contaminants and inadequate ventilation (American Lung Association, n.d.); and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, whose Indoor Environmental Quality Policy recommends reducing or eliminating fragranced products in indoor workplaces due to documented health concerns (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2009).

Most notably, the U.S. Department of Justice and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission recognize that fragrance sensitivities and chemical exposures may qualify as disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act when they substantially limit major life activities. [Recent ADA guidance and legal interpretations continue to affirm that individuals living with conditions such as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), asthma, and related environmental disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodations and protection from discriminatory environmental barriers (ADA National Network, 2025)]. 

Despite such mounting scientific evidence and growing public concern, hazardous fragrance chemicals remain largely unregulated and frequently undisclosed, and because fragrance recipes are often protected under trade secret “proprietary loopholes,” consumers are rarely told what chemicals they are actually breathing! This creates a major accessibility and public health crisis.

By implementing fragrance-free health care facilities/hospitals, public/government buildings, workplaces, amenities, churches, transit, accommodations, and schools, those that have been isolated could regain access to a world that was stripped away from them. 

No person should lose access to housing, healthcare, employment, transportation, education, or public life, simply because the air around them has been contaminated by poisonous chemicals.

In addition, in a recent study done by Dr. Abby Steeves, young adults with chemical intolerances reported 85 different losses, largely stemming from accessibility barriers. In her dissertation, she states, “This study’s findings also have implications for public health and accessibility advocacy efforts, as they illuminated that there is not a lack of desire to participate among young adults with chemical intolerances; rather, it is the lack of accessibility that prevents them from engaging in their local communities, workplaces, and social spheres” (Steeves, 2025).

Clean air should never have to be considered a privilege. 

This is an accessibility rights issue, a public health issue, a disability rights issue, and a human rights issue, that ultimately touches ALL of us.

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What We Are Asking:

We Want A.I.R.

This petition asks the decision makers in the United States Government and all 50 States, to prioritize the necessary and meaningful changes we advise (below) regarding ACCESSIBILITY, INGREDIENT TRANSPARENCY and REGULATION of our shared A.I.R.:

A — ACCESSIBILITY 

• Fragrance-free public spaces, workplaces, schools, accommodations, amenities,  and transportation.
• Clean-air standards in hospitals, healthcare and government facilities.
• Accessible Fair Housing protection.

I — INGREDIENT TRANSPARENCY

• FULL ingredient disclosure laws.
• Elimination of the fragrance “trade-secret” loophole.
• Clear and standardized labeling of hazards such as: Carcinogens; DNA, hormone and endocrine disruptors; neurotoxins; respiratory irritants; sensitizers and mast-cell activating compounds etc. 

R — REGULATION

• National and State clean-air legislation (indoor and outdoor).
• Fragrance emission regulations.
• A new and independent regulatory agency for oversight and enforcement.
• Federal recognition of chemical injury disabilities.

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When a fish is sick—the very first thing we do is change the tank. 

Americans are sick. It's time to make meaningful change regarding our A.I.R. environment. We the people demand this in order to protect our children, our family and friends, and our beloved pets. 

Breathing is not a luxury.

Please sign The Clean Air Rights Task Force petition for clean A.I.R. and join us in advocating for safer air, accessible public spaces, ingredient transparency and meaningful protections for the chemically-injured everywhere.