Marriott Class Action Says Guests Exposed To Toxic Fragrances

A recent Marriott class action claims that the hotel chain disperses fragrances through their air system which could be detrimental to guest health.

Plaintiff Barbara Schaefer allegedly experienced the issue when she stayed in a Marriott hotel in the Los Angeles area.

She claims that, during her stay, she was exposed to chemicals “including carcinogenic and/or other hazardous air pollutants, and particulate matter.”

Schaefer is reportedly sensitive to fragrance and can be left with a limited ability to breathe if she is exposed to these chemicals.

The Marriott class action lawsuit claims Barbara was unaware that she would be exposed to fragrance during her stay and experienced unexpected health issues as a result.

Fragranced products can reportedly cause increased symptoms in people with asthma and other health products. The Marriott fragrance class action notes that 53.1 percent of Americans are in support of fragrance-free workplaces and 60.7 percent of Americans would choose to stay in a hotel that doesn’t used fragranced air.

Despite these preferences, Marriott allegedly choses to release fragrances upon individuals as soon as they enter the hotel and throughout their stay.

“Indeed, by the time these unsuspecting guests/patrons are aware of the pervasive scents/toxins, it’s simply too late,” the Marriott class action lawsuit claims.

People who are susceptible to fragrance-related health problems are reportedly plagued with “fear, apprehension, and emotional distress” upon realizing that their hotel uses heavy fragrance, not to mention the physiological issues caused by fragrance exposure.

“Even for those persons lucky enough to not share this level of susceptibility, the exposure remains, at best, an annoyance, an unwanted touching (battery) and/or a disruption to their culinary and other hoped-for experiences at the Marriott,” the fragrance class action notes.

Schaefer also references fragrance surveys which reportedly show that many of the compounds found in fragrance have serious health consequences.

These damaging, and in some cases carcinogenic, compounds allegedly include benzene derivatives, aldehydes, phthalates, and more. The Marriott class action also claims that these compounds can react in the ambient air to product secondary harmful pollutants such as formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.

“Synthetic fragrance compounds, in particular, are extremely pervasive, lodging themselves not only in the bloodstream but also in breast milk and fat-storing tissue,” the Marriott class action claims. “When fragrances hit the air, they break down, mix with other pollutants and form new compounds – ones often more irritating and allergenic than the original fragrance.”

Schaefer argues that Marriott put her and other guests at risk of developing serious health issues through their use of toxic fragrances. She seeks to represent a Class of people who visited the Courtyard Los Angeles Westside hotel since Nov. 27, 2019.

The Marriott fragrance class action was initially filed in California state court but was later removed by Marriott to the Central District of California based on jurisdiction, proposed Class size, and amount in controversy.

Did you stay at a Marriott hotel which used significant fragrance? Share your experiences in the comment section below.

Schaefer and the proposed Class are represented by Scott Cole and Laura Grace Van Note of Scott Cole & Associates APC.

The Marriott Fragrance Class Action Lawsuit is Schaefer v. Marriot International Inc., et al., Case No. 2:20-cv-00088, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

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