I was encouraged to read in the Sun Journal (April 1) the Washington Post article, “War of the noses: When scents offend.” Hopefully it made a few more people aware of that environmental hazard.

Artificial, chemical-based fragrances trigger my cough variant asthma, causing a loud, dry, barking cough which brings disapproving looks from the public and, recently, the reprimand, “You are very rude with that d— cough.”

Oftentimes, I hold a mask to my face that blocks chemicals when in public places, especially when having to visit the cleaning products’ aisle.

It is disheartening when family and friends continue to use these products even when they have been made aware of how I react to them and that they are chemicals.

I have often apologized for my cough when in grocery lines or in waiting rooms to see a physician. Once in a while, I come across another who has the same struggle or has a spouse or friend who has the same adverse reactions to the secondary “smoke” forced upon us.

Hazel Anderson, Lewiston