Connecting to Collections Care

Hello Everyone,

just a quick question about Febreze. Why is it bad? I need to convince our janitorial crew to stop using it, and I need solid reason beyond my collections care instincts. Also, any suggestions on alternatives, if there are any?

Thank you!

------------------------------
Bonnie Seymour
Registrar and Assistant Curator
The Parthenon
Nashville TN
------------------------------

Hi Bonnie,

I'm the C2CC monitor for the week. I can certainly dig into a little research on this for you, but I first wanted to ask about how the janitorial staff is using Febreze and for what purpose exactly. Are they spraying it into the air to get rid of smells? Or directly onto upholstered gallery furniture (e.g. visitor benches), carpets, or curtains, etc, to get rid of smells? Are these nearby casework or objects displayed in the open? I know there are a two main different types of Febreze products: general air fresheners (either sprays or plug in wall fresheners) and ones for eliminating odors in fabrics.

Any details you can provide would certainly help!

Thanks,

Rebecca

------------------------------
Rebecca Gridley
Associate Conservator
Art Conservation Group
Long Island City, NY
rebecca.ec.gridley@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 8/23/2023 8:08:00 AM
From: Rebecca Gridley
Subject: RE: Fabreze

Hi Bonnie,

I'm the C2CC monitor for the week. I can certainly dig into a little research on this for you, but I first wanted to ask about how the janitorial staff is using Febreze and for what purpose exactly. Are they spraying it into the air to get rid of smells? Or directly onto upholstered gallery furniture (e.g. visitor benches), carpets, or curtains, etc, to get rid of smells? Are these nearby casework or objects displayed in the open? I know there are a two main different types of Febreze products: general air fresheners (either sprays or plug in wall fresheners) and ones for eliminating odors in fabrics.

Any details you can provide would certainly help!

Thanks,

Rebecca

------------------------------
Rebecca Gridley
Associate Conservator
Art Conservation Group
Long Island City, NY
rebecca.ec.gridley@gmail.com
------------------------------

Hi, Bonnie. 

It is unrelated to the collection's needs, but for people (staff, visitors) with chemical sensitivities, Febreze is a frequent complaint. When I travel, I have to request no Febreze specifically (I hope I don't get hit with a libel complaint by Procter & Gamble's legal team for posting this). For me and others, it can cause migraines and, if I am in the space too long, violent nausea. Febreze and other air fresheners -- but for some reason this product especially -- are probably the number one trigger for me. 

It's generally a good idea to avoid fragrances in workplaces. The American Lung Association has a sample Fragrance Free Policy: https://action.lung.org/site/DocServer/fragrance-free-workplace.pdf;jsessionid=00000000.app30067a?NONCE_TOKEN=39769C43F23BC35DBC0CA936EE0DF1F6

My question is, what is the Febreze attempting to mask? That's usually the first thing I think when I encounter an air freshener in a space. It arouses suspicion (perhaps the most compelling reason not to employ it?). Can it be eliminated by using another, more environmentally and health-friendly product? Improved ventilation? 

With all good wishes,

Jenny Swadosh

------------------------------
Jeanne Swadosh
Archivist
The New School Archives and Special Collections
New York NY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 8/23/2023 8:34:00 AM
From: Jeanne Swadosh
Subject: RE: Fabreze

Hi, Bonnie. 

It is unrelated to the collection's needs, but for people (staff, visitors) with chemical sensitivities, Febreze is a frequent complaint. When I travel, I have to request no Febreze specifically (I hope I don't get hit with a libel complaint by Procter & Gamble's legal team for posting this). For me and others, it can cause migraines and, if I am in the space too long, violent nausea. Febreze and other air fresheners -- but for some reason this product especially -- are probably the number one trigger for me. 

It's generally a good idea to avoid fragrances in workplaces. The American Lung Association has a sample Fragrance Free Policy: https://action.lung.org/site/DocServer/fragrance-free-workplace.pdf;jsessionid=00000000.app30067a?NONCE_TOKEN=39769C43F23BC35DBC0CA936EE0DF1F6

My question is, what is the Febreze attempting to mask? That's usually the first thing I think when I encounter an air freshener in a space. It arouses suspicion (perhaps the most compelling reason not to employ it?). Can it be eliminated by using another, more environmentally and health-friendly product? Improved ventilation? 

With all good wishes,

Jenny Swadosh

------------------------------
Jeanne Swadosh
Archivist
The New School Archives and Special Collections
New York NY
------------------------------

for air in historic buildings I learned from the work, advice of Peter Brimblecombe. See especially 2010-2012 for historic building interiors...later work is outdoor pollution. Terrific gentleman.

https://research-portal.uea.ac.uk/en/persons/peter-brimblecombe 

------------------------------
Sara Weissman
Randolph NJ
------------------------------