The First Meeting of the Vermont Canaries was a dynamic presentation / conversation that covered many connected and pressing issues in the MCS community. Nine people were present, including a Primary Care Physician, Dr. D'Amato, and John Berino who is the Manager of Occupational and Environmental Health at Fletcher Allen Hospital. Some stories were shared, and Mr. Berino reported on the steps that have been taken at F.A.H. to make it more MCS accessible. Much work needs to be done, in this and other areas. There was a general enthusiasm for moving forward in several directions. The needs for an educational campaign, safe housing and transportation were top of the list. Ishana Ingerman led the meeting, and presented several educational pamphlets that she has created. There was a notable amount of skill and experience among the people present, and steps will be taken to formalize the Vermont Canaries into a non-profit soon. A core group is forming to plan the next meeting, which will be on July 28th at the Fletcher Free Library, Burlington. All are welcome, and are requested to come FRAGRANCE FREE.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
City Market/Onion River Co-Op
82 South Winooski Avenue
Burlington, Vt.
Please come fragrance free.

The Canaries are Singing!

To All Public Servants and Community Organizations

The Canary Packet

Understanding the growing phenomena of Chemical Intolerance

Compiled by Ishana Ingerman (Burlington, VT)

oneshiningmama@yahoo.com

Feb. 2009 / Revised June 2009

February 19, 2009
To Whom it May Concern,
I am a Chemically Intolerant resident of Burlington, VT. This means that I have a federally recognized
limitation that makes many normal activities impossible for me. Like a wheelchair bound citizen, I have my
own limitations with which I do my best to cope, but my biggest challenge is the unconsciousness of
others. Where high counters and stairs prohibit a wheelchair from moving forward or a seated person from
communicating easily, peoples choices of fragrance toxins affect my ability to go to any building or
function safely.
Here are some facts that might help other (ignorant) people understand this situation better.
Synthetic musks are petrochemical adhesives that cause neurological and immune damage.
Upon inhalation, many (25%) Americans experience some adverse affect. Stinging eyes, nausea,
migraines, uncontrolled vomiting, memory loss, confusion, sudden and lasting physical pain, sudden and
lasting loss of energy, and a resulting irrational anger or hyper sensitivity to light, sound and smell are all
common.
People wearing products containing these chemicals are daily, unwittingly, causing pain and suffering to
those around them. In the last few months I have heard some very sad stories from people in the
costumer service industry here in Burlington... The cashier who has to fight off headaches whenever a
Fragranced costumer comes through. Artists who could not attend the Arts Alive auction to see their art
sold because of two women wearing strong perfumes. A young person at the local library who has to wear
a mask because of the soap in the childrens restroom, and the scented lotions used by some librarians. I
also spoke with a farmer who forks many tones of straw bales, only to become extremely fatigued from a
short visit to a mall. Vendors at an event at the Expo. in Essex complained of migraines, caused by
perfumed visitors. I even heard of a man who will not allow his daughter to have friends over if they are
wearing dryer sheeted clothing. There are hundreds of us, Canaries, and yet even the school nurse at a
local junior high was completely ignorant of the existence of this toxic phenomena.
Allergy? No. These chemicals dampen the immune system, and damage the nervous system. Because of
this, however, after the chemical whiff that breaks the proverbial camel's back, the onset of many allergies
is common.
Did you know?
Many U.S. State Governors have made declarations around Chemical Intolerance Awareness? (not in
Vermont).
Many cities have permanent signs on the doors of public buildings (Libraries, City Halls, etc.) declaring
them a Fragrance Free Facility, please refrain from wearing chemical fragrances.
Many cities have fragrance free policies for any meetings open to the public.
Many synthetic musks have been made illegal in Japan and the E.U. because science has proven their
connection to asthma, cancer and several neurological disorders, as well as being harmful to wildlife.
Though illegal in other parts of the world, we Americans continue to buy deoderizers, detergents, hair
products and even kitty litter and baby wipes containing these toxins.
Synthetic musks accumulate in the body - affixing themselves to human tissue.
Water treatment plants do not remove them.
Saveral states have developed safe housing specificly for chemically intolerant indeviduals.
Would you be willing to do what you can to comply with the ADA requirement that libraries and other
generally public places be made accessible to the chemically intolerant population? This would be for the
benefit of all - as we are only the canaries in toxic mine shaft. You may be next
Sincerely,
Ishana Ingerman
oneshiningmama@yahoo.com

(June, 2009. This Letter, after going to the Fletcher Free Library, was distributed to the Heads of Departments of the City of Burlington. The result was a plan for the creation of a information workshop to help heads of departments discuss chemical intolerance issues with city employees. The person delegated this organizing job soon moved out of state. The Parks and Rec. Department, in charge of the janitorial service to eight large buildings in the city, has changed the hand soaps to unscented, and is looking into other product alternatives. The F.F. Library now has a sign on the front door asking patrons not to wear scented products in the library - and an effort was made to limit the fragrances that the librarians wear. Two successful changes, and one good idea. So we keep asking for help in educating the public. - Ishana)

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