Fragrance Policy for Biomedical Laboratories

Effective: 6/1/26

To whom this policy applies

This policy applies to all individuals entering or working in:

  • Research laboratories
  • Research core facilities
  • Vivarium and animal housing rooms
  • Procedure rooms
  • Shared research spaces
  • Laboratory support areas (e.g., cage wash, autoclave rooms, supply rooms)

and covers faculty, staff, graduate students, undergraduate workers, volunteers, facility personnel, visitors, vendors, and contractors.

Definitions

Fragrance/Scent: Any added or naturally occurring odor from personal care products, cosmetics, grooming products, or topical substances that is perceptible to others. This includes, but is not limited to, synthetic fragrances and naturally derived scented compounds.

Strongly Scented: A fragrance that is readily noticeable to others in the surrounding area, persists in shared spaces, or can be detected beyond conversational distance (arm’s length). 

Low-Scent/Fragrance-Free Products: Personal care products formulated without added fragrances or with minimal scent that is not readily perceptible to others after normal application. “Unscented” and “fragrance-free” products are preferred; however, individuals remain responsible for ensuring any residual odor is minimal and non-disruptive.

Disruptive Scent: Any odor or fragrance determined by the Principal Investigator (PI), in consultation with the Department Chair, to interfere with animal welfare, research integrity, safety, or normal laboratory operations.

Purpose/Background

The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe and stable research environment by minimizing strong or disruptive scents in all laboratory and animal facility areas.

Strong scents may interfere with animal welfare, experimental conditions, or the ability to detect biological, chemical, or facility-related odors. Many research species, including rodents, have highly sensitive olfactory systems.

Exposure to volatile compounds such as those found in perfumes, colognes, and scented personal care products can cause stress, alter animal behavior, impact physiology and metabolic processes, mask other laboratory or animal odors that require attention or observation, and potentially impact research study outcomes. Maintaining a low-scent environment is therefore an essential component of good animal care and responsible research conduct.

Policy

To support animal welfare and research integrity, all individuals entering research areas should avoid the use of strongly scented personal care products. Personnel are expected to maintain a scent-free or low-scent presence when working in laboratory areas.

  1. Avoidance of Fragranced Personal Products

    Individuals working in or entering laboratories and animal areas should not wear:

    • Strongly scented perfume or cologne
    • Strongly scented lotions or creams
    • Strongly scented hair products (gels, serums, sprays)
    • Strongly scented deodorants or aftershaves
    • Essential oils or aromatherapy products
  2. Use of Low Scent Alternatives
    Personnel should use fragrance-free or low-scent personal hygiene products when in laboratory settings as noted above. To reduce exposures, individuals are encouraged to apply any personal products well before arriving in laboratory or vivarium areas.

Responsibilities

All Personnel:

  • Comply with the fragrance-free/low-scent guidelines when entering relevant work areas

Supervisors and Principal Investigators (PI):

  • The PI, with approval of the Department Chair, is responsible for lab safety and determining when fragrances are disruptive to lab activities. The PI has the responsibility to enact this policy and maintain a low-scent environment.
  • Communicate policy expectations to employees, students, and visitors
  • Encourage compliance within their research groups
  • Counsel individuals who inadvertently enter wearing strong scents

Noncompliance

  • Individuals wearing strong scents may be asked to leave the laboratory or vivarium area.
  • Repeated noncompliance should be addressed by the individual’s supervisor and may require retraining on environmental requirements for animal research.
  • Failure to comply may result in restricted access to research laboratories or other corrective actions.

Review

Approved by Medical Education Steering Committee 6/1/26

View the Policy FAQ (SSO required)