Detroit to city workers: Leave smelly perfumes, deodorants, and candles at home!

The country is in trouble !!

On the other hand, it's tough on both ends. You don't wanna tell people what not to wear/eat/etc., but then at the same time, you wanna be able to live a normal life and not have to worry weather somebody's perfume/cologne or somebody's take-out lunch at the office will send you into an attack. Gotta try to compromise. How? I don't know. Heres to hoping Science advances to the point where we will see the end of these allergies and intolerances.

I have acoworker that has been sent into Asthma attacks on more than one occasion because of the over use of perfume and scented lotions. I myself get migraines from many perfumes and I don't think that it is fair to have strong scents cause you to be ill. If there weren't people that use perfumes excessively we wouldn't have to worry about it. You try being unable to breath because someone put too much perfume on or get a migraine that leaves you unable to function then tell me that it isn't fair.

The artificial chemicals in most perfumes and cologne give me an instant migraine. I've even gone to the dentist, only to have to ask them to un-plug their room deordorizer because it made me so sick.

Natural scents like from essential oils don't bother me at all. I wonder when people are going to realize that artificial chemicals make people sick because they are incredibly un-healthy and it's only a matter of time before so many people develop sensitivities to these poisons that they are out-lawed. (That'll be a GOOD day)

I don't think the BO issue will be a big deal, as some people are afraid of, because they do sell *unscented* deodorants. And most deodorants have a mild scent anyway. I don't have asthma, but I am very sensitive to smells (I avoid Bath & Body Works stores like the plague because being in them for only a few minutes makes me terrible dizzy). As a college student, I can say it's a horrible experience when you're trying to take notes in class, but can't pay attention because the overpowering body spray of the girl next to you is giving you a migraine.

Next thing you know I won't be able to eat sardines in mustard sauce and crackers at lunch. I thought hat was guaranteed by the constitution or something. It's bad when guys are stronger smelling than recently divorced cougars'. You pick the one out of a bunch of 3 guys who is the smelliest, it's the one with the "way cool" 5 o'clock shadow patchy beard tryin to look like Clint Eastwood. Pathetic.

I'm a soldier in the US Army. I'm so proud and moved that we go to war, fight and die if need be. So people like this and people that agree with this are a loud to be able to work the system and make other people's lives harder cause they want to be selfish and have their way at the expense of others. Boo hoo it's people like this that are killin the American way of life. Thanks, thanks for makin me feel its all worth it. You and the city of Detroit.

What a crock. Since when did our society become so hyper-sensitive that approaching a co-worker about something obnoxious had potential for conflict? Seriously, if you approach them in arms, sure, but if you speak to them firmly without being a whiny prick about it, and the person you're approaching has the mind set of an adult and is willing to resolve the conflict.... To me that's just cowardice. If something is bothering me enough to cause discomfort and distract me to the point of where I can't do my job, I'm going to say something. And I'm going to say it BEFORE I get so pissed off that I file a law suit. This b!tch just wanted some extra dough. That's my guess. Our society is filled dregs, judges that will create laws based on a single person's complaint, and cities that will bow to the will of thugs in slacks and skirts.

I have allergies but it is not a disability. This woman is nuts to sue the city for money. She should be suing for change and only change. She's just a greedy, you-know-what. I'm tired of people calling simple things disability. A disability is some who cannot walk, hear, see, speak, or think well. Get it right, people!
I do have to say I abhor when people use awful perfume. I was in line at the theatre recently and some woman had probably half the bottle of her perfume on. It wasn't a bad smell, but I had a migraine from it. There have been many times this has made me unable to breath. But I have no idea how awful she smells without it, she could at least tone it down. As for a disability? NO IT ISN'T!

There are several in our office who have asthma and are affected by scents. I am surprised at the insensitivity of fellow workers who not only continue to wear the offending perfumes but make a point of visiting the desks of the affected co-worker. Shame on you

I am highly allergic to perfume, cologne and some after shave. And some of the body spray is terrible. I have almost died from being exposed to it. It is so scary to wake up in the hospital with tubes running all thru you. No one has to stink, just be more aware of what you wear and how much. Good old soap and water with a light scented deoderant is fine, but so many people do not know when to quit. If they had to go thru what I do when exposed they might change their thoughts on it. Thanks for at least trying to see my side of this.

I was in a doctors office one day and a lady came in with prefume on so strong I had to leave out of the room because it was closing off my airways. Give me a break people, this is just to strong. Have the ones that do this never heard of moderation. They have to be single because no one could stand to stay in a room with them. I think the law is good, but paying this person $100,000? No, that was stupid. And yes, I am allergic to strong prefumes. Get it pre-"fumes"

I think this judgement was necessary. Now, companies might educate the managers to deal with situations like this better (one can hope). I know, I had a horrible experience at my last job with the manager and the co-worker making the work place hostile for me. The only way the manager started listening to my pleas were when I mentioned the word "lawyer." And yes, I had provided him with multiple doctors' notes, hospital stay confirmation, medications and physical evidence (my face swells up, among other nasty reactions). Nothing worked except for the word, "lawyer". Same with HR.

...and how about public or, worse, workplace restrooms that have those timed, auto-dispensing deodorizers that spray sickeningly smelly, heavily chemical-laden micro droplets that you've no other option but to inhale because there's only one women's restroom. I've complained, but management is nonresponsive ["she's just a complainer/a troublemaker/a controller/a ____________[fill in the blank].

I am allergic to certain perfumes and when dealing with it I can break out in hives, rashes and have trouble breathing. I recently had to sit next to a guy on a 2 hour bus ride who wore excessive amounts of cologne. It nearly caused me to pass out from trying to avoid inhaling it. It was debilitating and I totally commiserate with someone who has asthma.

I'm deathly allergic to cats and have had asthmatic reactions from sitting next to people who have cats, or from sitting in a chair that was previously occupied by a person with cats. So, based on the article, does this mean I can sue my employer for hiring cat-lovers and ask my employer to ban employees from cuddling with their cats while wearing any of the clothes they'll wear to work? Not taking lightly the issues that strong smells can trigger migranes, but really, this is a bit much. Her employer - had she asked - could have simply moved her or the offending person to a different location within the building.

Constance: shots and medicine will only go so far, it helps, but won't necessarily "cure" respiratory problems. I've used all kinds of pills, gotten all kinds of shots, they help, but I still have respiratory problems and have to be careful. Plus those things can be extremely expensive, and not everyone can afford them.
Those of us whom have allergies/asthma, or other respiratory problems shouldn't have to segregate ourselves from the rest of society like lepers in the Dark Ages to survive so that the rest of the populace can wear some strong smelling perfumes, that many will just think smell nasty anyways. That's asking an awful lot of those whom suffer from illness just so people can do something which is really superficial.

tracy h --- wow thanks for ur concern for fellow human beings --- WEAR A MASK ???? how unfair is that ????? although i guess in some cases wearing a mask would be a good idea --- for example i am sure that everybody who has decent eyesight who has to be around you would appriciate it if YOU would wear a mask !!!!

Yep! It is disgusting but so true that some people don't care if you are gasping for air due to the fragrances that they drench themselves in or the nicotine clinging to their clothes when they return from a cigarette break. And then there is the thoughtless,inconsiderate or hateful dolt that sprays their perfume, or places their cut flowers right there in the cubicle with you seated next to them. One lady I worked with had to be taken out on a stretcher to the hospital after she suffered an asthma attack. I myself had to leave work more than once in the same week due to a perfume-crazed "sprayer" with a lack of courtesy.
Had to finally quit to protect my health. When you work for a government agency like FEMA you would think it would lead the way in the job place. Fat chance! Nobody gives a rat's ___ about anyone these days. Pitiful!

This sounds a little subjective and far-reaching at the moment-- but scents-- especially overpowering perfumes and colognes have always triggered my migraines. I think its great they are starting to get a policy to deal with this.