I've just spent a whole lot of time on the road -- major relocation going on. So I found myself asking desk clerks across the country, "Does your hotel use air fresheners? Does your laundry service or housekeeping department use fabric softeners or dryer sheets?" And then the obligatory weird looks. You can see the wheels turning: "Is this some kind of nut? What's her problem?"
I found plenty of those automatic air freshener products. Sometimes the people who worked in the hotel didn't even know those products were being used. But in EVERY case, they were completely and totally unnecessary. There were no dogs lounging around the lobby, there was no kitty litter box under the table, I didn't see one unwashed bum in the area...nothing that would warrant the use of "air freshener". Nothing. No reason to use it. At. All. None. Not only was there nothing stinking up the place (except for the plug-ins), there was lovely fresh air pouring into the lobby every time a guest came in or went out.
The sad thing is that the advertising campaigns for these toxic little nasties are very very very good. Many people believe what they're told when they hear about the "freshness" or the "calming" or the "tropical" or the "citrus" -- the bullshit they're sold on.
I will never stop being angry about the use of these things. Especially in public places. These products are poisonous, dangerous, hazardous, toxic. How many ways can I say it?
So now I live in Portland, OR. I want to find like-minded people who want to make change happen. There are plenty of "clean air" laws. It's time for those laws to include air freshener products.
Join me. Let's do it.
5.09.2008
WHY USE IT? BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN BRAINWASHED!
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5 comments:
I agree with you about banning air freshners....there are 7 of them (both plug-in types and stand-up gels in the hall of my apt. building. It is a toxic hell every time I leave to check mail, do laundry or enter/exit the building!!
How do we get rid of them...ideas please!
I've actually disabled/removed/destroyed them myself. I've tried speaking with management personnel. I've moved to a different location. I've written letters to owners.
The activism part is the pits: it takes a looong time to see any change. And I can be a bit vindictive -- I want the companies that make this shit to compensate all of us who nearly choke to death on their products.
Yes, it sucks.
Good luck with you upcoming move.
I yank them out and throw them away if I can hold my breath enough to get near them. NOBODY has the right to poison another person. Stupidity on their part is not an excuse.
We should gather enough people to file a class action lawsuit against the companies who make and or sell fragranced and toxic products. It's inexcusable and they should be tried for crimes against the American people.
I yank them out and throw them away if I can hold my breath enough to get near them. NOBODY has the right to poison another person. Stupidity on their part is not an excuse.
We should gather enough people to file a class action lawsuit against the companies who make and or sell fragranced and toxic products. It's inexcusable and they should be tried for crimes against the American people.
Air "stinkers" are truly toxic, and deadly to people with upper respiratory complaints or folks with compromised immune systems (like myself!). I cannot even be in a space that had one of these products plugged in- even if the plug in was in for only a few days and then removed- without suffering serious consequences. They are dangerous to the ill, the young, women who are pregnant, and really everyone!
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