Environmental Health Network	EHN P.O. Box 1155 Larkspur, California, 94977-1155 Support and Information Line (SAIL) 415.541.5075
A 501 (c) (3) non profit agency

Press Release For Immediate Release. 1/30/00 5:48 PM H.U.M.A.N. in collaboration with disablenet@onelist.com and awareness2000@onelist.com mailing lists announce: May 12, 2000 The First Annual International Breath of Fresh Air Day (use sense, not scents!) The first annual International Breath of Fresh Air Day (use sense, not scents!) will show a need for awareness of the "hidden disability" known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) or Environmental Illness. We use many different chemical fragrances on our bodies and clothes just to get "clean". These fragrances are in the form of: scented laundry detergents and fabric softeners, shampoos, conditioners, soaps, toothpaste, skin cream, shaving lotion, after shave lotions, mouth washes, deodorants, and make up. Many times after we are "clean" we then put on perfumes or colognes. It is not surprising that are noses are overloaded and many of us are sick to be "clean". The truth is that you can be just as clean, and may be more so, if you use unscented products. Barb Wilkie for Awareness 2000 and a board member of the Environmental Health Network states, "Because fragrances are volatile organic compounds, and become one with the air we all breathe, those of us with MCS don our protective gear such as oxygen tanks and respirators. Of course, added to the picture is our dizzy gait as we try to walk, and our muffled speech as we try to communicate through respirator ... all making our disability a little less hidden." She goes on to say that "Many people are adversely affected by fragrances, but perhaps their doctors haven't become aware of the dangers posed by fragrances or the people haven't realized its the fragrances and not their "allergies," recurrent "colds" and "flus," bronchitis, laryngitis, sinusitis ... migraines." Please join us in making the first annual International Breath of Fresh Air Day (use sense not scents!) a day to breathe easy on. # # # # To see MCS Proclamations signed by various state governors, please visit: http://ehnca.org/www/ehnhompg/takheart.htm#Proclamations # # # # If you would like to learn more about MCS, please visit the web site of the Environmental Health Network: http://ehnca.org/ehnindex.htm For more information on fragrances, please visit the web site of the Fragranced Products Information Network: http://www.ameliaww.com/fpin/fpin.htm Do inform the FDA if you or your children have adverse reactions to fragrances. For more information see FDA Petition: http://ehnca.org/www/FDApetition/bkgrinfo.htm To view a sample letter to the FDA, visit: http://ehnca.org/www/FDApetition/sampletr.htm Please write to the FDA in support of this petition. Reference Docket Number 99P-1340/CP 1 and e-mail, fax or mail to: Email Address -- fdadockets@oc.fda.gov FAX Number -- 301.827.6870 Letters may be mailed to: Dockets Management Branch The Food and Drug Administration Department of Health and Human Services, Rm. 1-23 12420 Parklawn Dr. Rockville, MD 20857 Reach us by e-mail: Amy Marsh, President EHN Canaryclub@aol.com Betty Bridges, RN; EHN Advisory Board and FPIN bcb56@ix.netcom.com Barb Wilkie, board member, EHN (Barb's email is no longer valid, please contact EHN)

http://ehnca.org/www/Press Releases/breath1.htm --2/18/00