Common Sources of Odors, Fumes and Airborne Particles That Can Trigger Allergy
Many airborne particles can also cause allergic reactions if they're touched. Pollen, for instance, can cause eczema and rashes on the face (especially the cheeks) if you're outdoors during a heavy pollen barrage. Cosmetics, of course, are notorious for wreaking havoc with skin and eyes either by direct contact or from the fragrances they emit.
Clothing, too, can cause both contact and inhalant allergies, due to detergents, factory treatments, bleaches, dyes, dry cleaning processes and so on (See Contact (Skin) Allergies, for more details on cosmetic and clothing allergies).
Dust
Attic | Chalk eraser | Feed mill |
Broom | Chicken coop | Rugs |
Carpet sweeper | Construction | Toys |
Carpeting | Drapers | Vacuum cleaner |
Cellar | Dusty books | Wrestling on floor rug or gym mat |
Mold and Mildew
Anyplace that harbors water - leaky pipes and faucets, sluggish drains, damp or flooded basements and crawl spaces
Damp towels and clothing | Old mattresses | Refrigerator drips trays and rubber door gaskets |
Foam rubber pillows | Old, peeling wallpaper and paste | Roof leaks into attics or behind walls |
Hay and grain fields | Overstuffed furniture | Vaporizers |
Leather goods | Paint | Vegetable bins |
Old caulking around sinks and tubs | Pet litter | Woodpiles |
Poorly vented closets | ||
Potted plants |
Pollen and Flowers
Flowers related to ragweed (golden and chrysanthemums) | Pungent odors of some flowers (roses, violets, lilacs, and others) |
Grasses | Trees |
Weeds |
Animal Fur and Feathers (Dander)
Animals - dog, cat, bird, horse, rabbit, cow, gerbil, hamster, hog, sheep, goat (mohair) and others | Feather pillows Visit to zoo, circus or farm Wool blankets |
Fumes
Asphalt and tar (roof applications, hot roadways) | Fuel oil | Lubricating grease and oil |
Auto exhaust | Garages | Machinery |
Bus stations | Gas appliances | Motor boat exhaust |
Chlorinated swimming pools | Kerosene | Naphtha |
Dry cleaning fluids | Lighter fluid | Oil furnace |
Refrineries |
Household Odors
Ammonia | Disinfectants | Plastics (soft) |
Bleaches | Dyes | Magazines |
Bubble bath | Fabrics (wash & wear) | Moth balls and crystals |
Cedar bags | Floor wax | Newspapers |
Chalk | Furniture polish | Room deodorants |
Cleaners (especially those containing carbon tetrachloride) | Glue | Scouring powder |
Sandpaper | Insect sprays | Shoe polish |
Detergents | Paper tissue | Soaps (powder and bar) |
Particle board | Starch | |
Perfumes | Window cleaner |
Paint Odors
Enamel | Mineral spirits | Rubber-based | Stains |
Lacquer | Oil paint | Shellac | Thinner |
Latex paint | Paint remover | Spray paint | Varnish |
Smoke
Charcoal | Coal | Leaf fire | Trash fire |
Cigar | Fireplace | Pipe | Wood fire |
Cigarette | Incense | Tobacco |
Woods Smells
Evergreen (including Christmas trees) | Lumber | Sawdust |
Sanding dust |
Cosmetics and First Aid Product
After-shave lotions | Hair removers (depilatories) | Perfumes |
Antiseptics | Hair sprays | Powders |
Astringents | Hair waving lotions | Rouge and blushers |
Cold creams | Lipsticks | Rubbing alcohol |
Colognes | Lotions | Sachets |
Deodorants | Mascara | Shampoos |
Eye shadows and pencils | Mouthwashes | Shaving creams |
Face creams | Nail polish | Tanning creams |
Face powders | Nail polish remover |
Office and Industry
Asphalt | Marking pens | Rubber goods (tires, sheeting, hose, etc) |
Carbon paper | Metal shops | Smoke |
Carpeting | Mill dust | Stencils |
Correction fluid | Paints | Sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid fumes |
Duplicators | Paper | Tar |
Felt-tip markers | Perfumes | Typewritter pads |
Formaldehyde | Photocopier | Typewritter ribbon |
Fumes from galvanizing plant | Photographic materials | Warehouse dusts |
Ink | Plastics |
Food Smells
Beans | Fish, shrimp | Spices |
Beer | Flour | Starch |
Coffee | Frying odor | Vinegar |
Egg | Onion |