Dear Boulder Hospital,
I was excited to read about the environmental initiatives taken by the Boulder Community Hospital, which I think are important and groundbreaking, but I was discouraged to see that they did not include the implementation of fragrance-free staff policies, use of non-toxic and fragrance-free cleaning products, an integrated pest management program, and other initiatives that might make it finally possible for those with chemical sensitivities and chemical injury to receive safe, non-detrimental hospital care.
I suffer from severe Chronic Fatigue Immune Dysfunction Syndrome (CFIDS) and Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS), and have been sick for almost 12 years, and on disability, largely homebound and bedridden, for 9. I have had life-threatening situations and been unable to stay in my local hospital because I became so ill from the nurses' perfume or the cleaning chemicals in the hospital. I became very ill, for example, from the typical plastic tubing used with oxygen equipment, or from alcohol swabs. A year and a half ago, I was strongly advised against leaving an emergency room due to my symptoms of acute appendicitis, but I had no choice; the noxious hospital fumes made me crash from the experience for many months, and I might have died if I had stayed. ( See Update below.)
For most people with MCS, including those with CFIDS and Gulf War Syndrome, the medical situation in America is like that of a third-world country. A recent study, for example, found that one hundred percent of reporting hospitals used pesticides inside the hospital, which could cause anaphylaxis for many people with MCS, some of whom die because --ironically -- they simply can't go to hospitals. But many other chemicals, such as those found in fragranced products (including many products scented with essential oils) and cleaning products, can cause anaphylaxis in those with MCS. Most of us are desperate to find medical facilities that simply have one safe room or one person on staff to help us out, and there are very few of these in America.
I think Boulder could really set an example by taking a really inclusive stance to these issues. There are many environmental medicine doctors and chemical injury specialists who could assist the hospital in creating a policy that also considers the adverse health effects of the body care products, cleaning products, and equipment of the hospital. If you are interested in learning more, I could direct you to agencies that might be able to offer free advice and consultation.