Perfume Spritz Sickens Texans

Before you spray Eau de Odiferous, be aware that the stench may make your cubicle mate sick. Thirty-four people went to the hospital and dozens more were treated for illness after a woman sprayed perfume in a Texas bank in Fort Worth, Texas.

Several workers initially claimed dizziness, headaches and shortness of breath at the Bank of America call center, prompting a 911 call around 12:45 p.m. Twelve of the hospitalized employees were transported via ambulance, while 22 people with non-critical symptoms took city busses. Over 100 others were examined and released at the scene. Workers were advised on loudspeaker to vacate the building if they felt ill.

How dangerous was the strong scent? The perfume was never identified, even after a hazmat search. Officials are saying that the fragrance is not being treated as a dangerous material. According to Lt. Keith Worley, a spokesperson for the Forth Worth Fire Department, the phenomenon might be chalked up to mass hysteria.

Although the threat may have been genuine, some people could have had physical reactions to the psychological stimulus. However, the perfume incident has not been officially been classified as mass hysteria. Still, it might not hurt to go easy on the cologne.

AUTHOR: Annette Hulbert