新奇事件簿 医生呼吁医院禁用香水（在线收听）

Doctors in Canada have called for a ban on the use of perfumes and aftershaves in hospitals and clinics. They say the chemicals in the scents can trigger asthma and allergies. Research shows that over half of asthma attacks are caused by irritants such as powerful smells. Besides perfumes and aftershaves, these can include cigarette smoke, cleaning fluids and other strong fragrances and odours. Dr Ken Flegel and Dr James Martin of McGill University in Canada wrote about the dangers of smells in hospital in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. They said: "Hospital environments free from artificial scents should become a uniform policy, promoting the safety of patients, staff and visitors alike."

在加拿大，医护人员呼吁人们禁止使用香水和润肤水。他们表示称，香水中的化学制品会引起哮喘和过敏。研究表明有超过半数哮喘都是通过刺激物引起，例如刺激性气味。除了香水和润肤水，还有香烟、清洁剂以及其他刺激性气味。在加拿大《医学协会杂志》上，来自麦吉尔大学的肯·弗莱格尔和詹姆斯·马丁医生对香水的危害进行了描述。他们称：“无香医院的制定应该得到统一，这既能保证病患的安全，同时也能保证医护人员和访问者的安全。”

Strong smells affect many of us in one way or another. Around a third of people say they are physically affected by artificial scents worn by others. The doctors noted that this should be a serious concern in all hospitals. They wrote: "While artificial scents are designed to make us more attractive, they may result in unintended harm to those who are vulnerable. There is emerging evidence that asthma, in some cases, is primarily aggravated by artificial scents." They added that: "This is particularly concerning in hospitals, where vulnerable patients with asthma or other upper airway or skin sensitivities are concentrated." They warn that scents in hospitals can make these patients' condition worse.

刺激性气味对人们的影响是多方面的。有大约三分之一的民众表示，他们遭受过他人香水气味的侵扰。医生特别提到这将是所有医院要面临的重大问题。他们写到：“香水的目的是要让人们变得更有吸引力，但同时它也会无意间伤害到易感人群。有多项证据表明，香水是导致哮喘发作的主要原因。”他们还称：“这在医院尤为让人担心，因为医院是哮喘，上呼吸道感染以及皮肤敏感人群的集中区。”他们警告称，医院中的香水气味会加重病患病况。