Some student pilots have reported they have been unable to finish a Transport Canada test because their allergy to perfume has been triggered by someone else wearing the stuff who is writing another exam in the same room.
Symptoms can include running noses, watering eyes, inability to concentrate, nausea or more severe symptoms.
Recent European research has shown 4% of people suffer from this condition, up from 2% a decade ago. It is not clear why this seems to be an increasing problem, however, it could be with smoking banned in most indoor places in Canada, allergies people previously thought were being caused by exposure to smoke were actually the result of exposure to perfumes. As a result hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions have instituted strict “no scents” rules.
So, if you are getting ready to write an exam at your local TC, please go unscented.