Government offices control perfume use

TUTTLE, Okla., July 3 (UPI) -- Some hospitals and government buildings, including an Oklahoma city hall, are taking on policies to control the use of perfumes.

The City Hall of Tuttle, Okla., posted signs stating visitors must "remain at the front of the building" if they are wearing perfumes, colognes or after shaves, USA Today reported Tuesday.

"Every now and then, you get some people who think it's stupid," City Manager Tim Young said.

However, he said the fragrances can aggravate symptoms for allergy sufferers.

The city of Portland, Ore., banned city workers from using fragrances in 2011 and has asked city janitors to use unscented cleaning products whenever possible.

Katie Slette, human resources director at Windom Area Hospital in Windom, Minn., said the facility has been fragrance free since 1999.

"At first there was some grumbling," she said. "Now it's our new normal."

A spokeswoman for Harrison Medical Center in Bremerton, Wash., said employees and visitors are asked to refrain from using scented products and visitors are asked to choose "less fragrant" flowers when giving plants as a get-well-soon gift.