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  • 1.  Fabreze

    Posted 08-22-2023 10:40

    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!



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    Bonnie Seymour
    Registrar and Assistant Curator
    The Parthenon
    Nashville TN
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  • 2.  RE: Fabreze

    Posted 08-23-2023 09:55

    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
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Fabreze

    Posted 08-23-2023 12:04

    Hi Rebecca,

     

    Thanks for getting back to me. They are using it in the air around cased objects and uncased objects. They use the spray air fresheners in the bathrooms, which is fine, but I have staff reporting them using the same throughout the museum. We have marble flooring and cement walls from the 1920's with gypsum plaster and gold leaf exposed objects. Then there is oil paintings (all with museum Optium) and gold leaf frames, then changing exhibit of various materials at any given time.

     

    Thank you!

     

     

    Bonnie M Seymour (she/her/hers)

    Registrar and Assistant Curator

     

    Phone 615-862-8431 Extension 72581

    Web nashvilleparthenon.com Email bonnie.seymour@nashville.gov

    2500 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203 l P.O. Box 196340, Nashville, TN 37219

    https://www.nashvillemuseums.org/

     

     




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Fabreze

    Posted 08-23-2023 10:09

    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
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Fabreze

    Posted 08-23-2023 12:04

    This is great. I was also concerned about this. I'm not sure if there is anything specific they are trying to mask, there are no smells that I am aware off, but I'll do some digging. I think the smell trigger is enough cause.

     

    Thank you!

     

     

    Bonnie M Seymour (she/her/hers)

    Registrar and Assistant Curator

     

    Phone 615-862-8431 Extension 72581

    Web nashvilleparthenon.com Email bonnie.seymour@nashville.gov

    2500 West End Ave., Nashville, TN 37203 l P.O. Box 196340, Nashville, TN 37219

    https://www.nashvillemuseums.org/

     

     




    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Fabreze

    Posted 08-23-2023 10:09

    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
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    Original Message


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