Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42652403›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of environmental research and public health2026

Fragrance-Free Policies: A Scoping Review of Definitions, Implementation, and Gaps.

Sudipta Roy, John Molot, Robert Lattanzio, Jennifer Armstrong, Riina Bray, Adrianna Trifunovski, Rohini Peris

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Sudipta RoyAssociation Pour la Santé Environnementale du Québec-Environmental Health Association of Québec (ASEQ-EHAQ), Saint-Sauveur, QC J0R 1R1, Canada.
John MolotFaculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON K1H 8M5, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-8558-9410
Robert LattanzioARCH Disability Law Centre, Toronto, ON M5J 2H7, Canada.
Jennifer ArmstrongOttawa Environmental Health Clinic, Ottawa, ON K2H 5A8, Canada.
Riina BrayEnvironmental Health Clinic, Women's College Hospital, Toronto, ON M5S 1B2, Canada.ORCID 0000-0001-6410-9943
Adrianna TrifunovskiAssociation Pour la Santé Environnementale du Québec-Environmental Health Association of Québec (ASEQ-EHAQ), Saint-Sauveur, QC J0R 1R1, Canada.
Rohini PerisAssociation Pour la Santé Environnementale du Québec-Environmental Health Association of Québec (ASEQ-EHAQ), Saint-Sauveur, QC J0R 1R1, Canada.ORCID 0000-0002-1715-1492

Funding

Association pour la santé environnementale du Québec - Environmental Health Association of Québec (ASEQ-EHAQ)
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundFragrance-free policies are increasingly adopted to improve indoor air quality and reduce fragrance exposure linked to adverse health outcomes and accessibility barriers. This scoping review mapped the evidence on fragrance-free policies across sectors.

methodsFollowing Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, we searched five peer-reviewed databases and grey literature sources. Documents describing formal scent-free or fragrance-free policies or guidance in workplaces, healthcare, educational, or public settings were included. Data were charted on policy characteristics, enforcement mechanisms, implementation supports, and governance features.

resultsSixty-three documents were included. Findings revealed substantial variability in terminology, scope, and enforcement. Many policies relied on voluntary compliance and awareness-based strategies, with limited integration of structural supports such as procurement controls, staff training, and evaluation frameworks. Enforcement mechanisms were predominantly reactive, responsibilities were inconsistently defined, and consequences for non-compliance were limited. Although many policies referenced multiple chemical sensitivity or fragrance sensitivity, accommodation pathways and accountability structures were frequently lacking. Four key themes indicate that many fragrance-free policies function as accommodation tools rather than integrated environmental health interventions.

conclusionsStrengthening definitional clarity, institutional accountability, and structural integration may enhance effectiveness and support more consistent, equitable, and evidence-informed approaches to reducing fragrance-related exposures in indoor environments.

Indexed as

Air Pollution, IndoorPerfumeHumansPerfumeaccessibilityenvironmental health policyfragrance-free policyindoor air qualitymultiple chemical sensitivityvolatile organic compounds

Identifiers

PMID42652403
PMCPMC13513036

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.