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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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209 thoughts onMarriott Class Action Says Guests Exposed To Toxic Fragrances
I will join this class action and/or would consider being a lead complainant. I strongly recommend it be expanded to include all major chain hotels. I have suffered for years with severe physical and endocrine system “swamp” reactions from Marriott and other hotel stays (most recently from 10/10-10/12/2023). The “signature scents” funneled into the rooms and throughout the facilities are dangerous. I have politely complained, asked for accommodation, requested “asthma-friendly” rooms, HEPA filters, etc., to no avail. Hotel chains, regrettably, are not the only guilty parties and if we are to get the needed remedy, the providers/manufacturers of multiple classes of these unregulated, deadly chemical “cocktails” that people personally use (personal care, body lotion, perfume, hair products, etc) must also be addressed.
I stayed at the Marriott Mountain side and they pipe in the fragrance called Timbody woods! I had a sever asthmatic reaction to it!! I can’t even enter into their lobby. Something needs to be done for everyone’s health!
I have the same issues. My reactions are so bad it even makes my teeth hurt. How can we stop this? I also have asthma. I am also a cancer survivor. I had to stop working because my employer refused to stop co workers from using fragrances. I was coughing broke out in rashes eyes tearing. Etc
I have MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) to fragrances. I made reservations at The LaSalle Chicago, Autograph Collection (Marriott Hotels). I stayed at a Comfort Inn of LaPorte, IN for a family reunion which releases fragrances throughout the hotel. I asked for my room not to be sprayed, but sadly I experienced headaches, dizziness, nausea while staying there. After I made the LaSalle Chicago reservations to stay at this hotel wedding block, I called back and was politely informed they do indeed use fragrance throughout their hotel and in the rooms. I immediately cancelled my reservation after explaining my sensitivity to these fragrances and was told “I understand”.
I replied, “if you understood, your hotel would not be infusing these toxic chemicals fragrances to unknowing guests”. Does this ultra luxury hotel use fragrances to mask smoking, or other odors? I do not think so. Fragrances have become a marketing tool used not only by hotels, but apartment communities, department stores (Macy’s), etc. In the last few weeks, I have visited 3 apartment communities in my town where Scent Air or some other fragrances were infused throughout the indoor common areas, fitness center and apartment hallways. I was told everyone loves the Scent Air. What about the many people who get very ill when inhaling these toxic chemicals? They don’t have an answer to that question. Please add me to any class action list.
I have been been under medical care for toxins, and the effect they had on my body. I am an Titanium Elite and that tells you how much I travel. I have asked many times to NOT have my room sprayed. I am told (by housekeeper whistle blower) they do it to cover up the smoke smell. Please add me to this list. I get sick every time I stay at a Marriott or one that sprays it. IT is beyond horrible and we pay good money, yet have to sleep in chemical filled rooms.
A ScentAir system pumps a fragrance into the entire nursing home where my mother stays. It makes it unbearable to visit her. The scent infuses one’s clothing and hair requiring repeated washings to get it out, not to mention the headaches it causes. Unfortunately, the facility touts this as a “feature”, even developing a “custom scent” just for them. How about keeping the residents and facility clean? Then no “masking” fragrance is needed!
The Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery, Alabama (a Marriott property) uses a ridiculous amount of fragrance in the rooms and on the linens. I had to turn off the air conditioning and it still seemed to be pumping into the room. It’s infuriating and I only stay at Marriott Hotels when I have no choice.
Fairfield Inn & Suites San Jose Airport, the smell (fragrance) in the lobby and surrounding area is overpowering. This is a Marriott Bonvoy property. Customer Care blew me off. So did the woman who checked me in. My airways are still irritated. I was there for 8 days. I didn’t have a choice, as this was a corporate lodging situation. Please add me.
Seems Marriotts are retaliating to this lawsuit by not only polluting the lobby but they are pumping it through the entire building in the HVAC with windows that don’t open. it’s torture! I left with a splitting headache, nausea, blurred vision that lasted 24 hours. Please! this needs to be removed from public spaces like cigarette smoke. There has to be
A way to force companies to disclose the ingredients on “fragrance” maybe start with local government officials?
I worked for one of the largest companies that provided scent to these hotels. I feel we were mislead and lied to about the health issues that could be caused by high exposure. When asked for MDS sheets for ourselves or customers they didn’t want to release them. If feel it has caused breathing issues, eye sight deterioration and possible future health issues.
I stayed at a Marriott and had asthma and migraines for the entire stay. It was horrible.