Can there be a company policy on fragrances in the workplace? At first sight, it would seem something trivial; think of the HR head standing at the office entrance busy evaluating scents and smells. On second thoughts, it may well be the smokers? lobby fighting back: if you won?t allow us our puff, we will object to your powder puff. But, believe it or not, fragrance in the workplace is becoming a growing concern in many companies.

Not in India, of course. There isn?t even a whiff of an objection here as yet. But take a look at what?s been happening in Halifax in Canada. Reports the Globe and Mail in an article titled ?Non-scents in Nova Scotia?: ?Three months ago, a perfume ban became official public policy in this mid-size maritime capital. Since then, all municipal buildings here, including schools, libraries, courts, even the City Hall, as well as many workplaces, theatres and shops, have become officially scent-free.

?Last month, a teacher in the Halifax-area community of Sheet Harbour complained that Gary Falkenham, a 17-year-old student, had repeatedly violated the school?s anti-scent policy by wearing Dippity Doo hair gel and Aqua Velva deodorant to class. The teacher, who claimed Falkenham?s deodorant made her vomit, requested that the youth be charged with assault. Earlier, an 84-year-old woman was kicked out of the City Hall for wearing a dab of scent behind each ear. Another elderly woman was forced to get off a Halifax bus for her offending fragrance.?

What produces fragrances harmful to some

• Shampoo and conditioners • Hairsprays • Deodorants • Colognes & aftershaves • Fragrances & perfumes • Lotions & creams • Industrial & household chemicals • Soaps • Cosmetics • Air fresheners & deodorisers • Candles • Some types of garbage bags Source: Canadian Government Occupational Health and Safety Office

What they could lead to

• Loss of appetite • Dizziness • Cold-like symptoms • Headaches • Difficulty in concentrating • Depression • Muscle pain • Shortness of breath • Nausea Source: Canadian Union of Postal Workers

The folks at Halifax claim to be particularly prone to Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, also known as environmental illness. More than 800 citizens have been treated for this so far in the past two years. The symptoms could range from a minor headache to vomiting, seizures, shock and even death.

Most companies in Halifax already have restrictions on the use of perfumes, after-shaves, talc etc. The movement is now spreading to the rest of Canada. Not that the US has been far behind. Several cities have anti-fragrance laws. Most companies have an unstated policy on over-use of fragrances and some have begun to codify it.

The developments in the laidback Canadian city have been dubbed The Halifax Hysteria and the Globe and Mail articles concludes with a quote from a Haligonian: ?I am all for perfume freedom. But sometimes too much perfume can be a stinky thing.?

In litigation-prone America, however, companies have begun taking perfume issues seriously. The reason: a small percentage of people are physically affected by such fragrances. (It could, for instance, be because of allergies; hay fever is not caused by hay alone.) Says the Canadian Government Occupational Health & Safety Office: ?Allergic and asthmatic patients report that certain odours, even in the smallest amounts, can trigger an attack. The severity of these symptoms can vary.?

?It is important not to be personally offended should someone tell you that your perfume or cologne is making him or her sick,? adds the Canadian Union of Postal Workers. But the Scented Products Association of Canada strikes a warning note: ?Can employees be expected to eliminate all shampoo, deodorant and other products from their daily routine?? Despite that, even the most sceptical of observers believe that, like anti-smoking laws, anti-fragrance laws will come into vogue soon.

?Don?t expect this to happen in India any time soon,? says HR consultant D. Singh. ?This is a country that has forgotten Bhopal? People come to office and begin the day lighting agarbattis. You still can?t do a thing even if incense incenses you.?