the strong smell of some dryer sheets and laundry detergent.

It has been a thing forever and I wish it would disappear.
Haven't worn perfume for several years, but always used it very sparingly.

What’s the point? And most of the fragrances are just nasty.

It's also undeniably true that human beings have been 'scenting' their persons, their attire, their surroundings, their ceremonies, food and drink ... Pretty much since - forever.

Yes, there are extremes (aren't there always?) - and no one is wishing an asthma attack or anaphylactic shock on you or anyone else. But, still ... A little light fragrance on a bar of soap, dish washing liquid - laundry detergent - or the little doohickey hanging from the mirror in your car. Is neither new - or particularly subversive. And those that are not particular fans - are (in general) expected to put up with the lifestyle and preferences of others.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

That's why scents are generally banned in clinics, hospitals, theaters, schools, courtrooms, and offices.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4627866/
https://www.portland.gov/officeofequity/disability/fragrance-free-spaces

I was unable to live in my apartment due to excessive use of aromatherapy by a neighbor. I developed health issues that worsened over several years of exposure until it became unbearable. Had to sleep in my car for about a year until I could find a scent-free place to move. I no longer have the symptoms where I live now.

it can literally destroy people's lives.

But to frame dish washing liquid (and underarm deodorant) as a global crisis cause major health difficulties .... Not only not buying it - but it literally screams hyperbole.

Like I said - we literally evolved adding 'scent' to our lives - (while gain both esthetic and practical benefit .. ).
( Now queue the people that are going to explain how fundamentally different using sage - or patchouli - in a healing ceremony - or lemon blossom and lavender in washing one's hair ... The cedar chips in the clothes press and closet - lavender sachet in the sock drawer ... Because 'natural chemicals' verses 'man made' ... Yeah, right ... )

Seems kind of hyperbolic.

(and other 'power performs' ?)
it really is no leap at all.

Scented things break me out. Plus, I’m a super smeller. So, perfumes/scents overwhelm me.

It is really difficult sometimes as they wear so much it lingers after they are long gone. I can't even go into some drug stores as they make you walk through the cosmetic section to get to the rest of the store.

I think it's just another way to separate fools from their money. It isn't necessary. Clothes that are clean don't smell bad. Clothes that aren't clean aren't going to smell nice no matter how much one spends on washing additives.

I do like a scent IF it is fresh smelling, faint, subtle and not overpowering. Some products even have a "meter" with scent strength printed on the box.

So it never had fertilizers or pesticides applied. Our friend Patsy moved here from Houston after she became ill from the petrochemicals so prevalent in Houston (her husband was in the oil and gas industry). Once she got well enough to do so, she joined our church and became active in it.

A lovely, brilliant human being. We learned so much about what before was routine. Perfumes were out, although essential oils were okay. But I didn't care enough about it to risk it for her. We learned to hang our dry cleaning out to air for days before we wore it anywhere around her, and to use unscented laundry detergent as well as organic household cleaners. We switched to using white vinegar for the most part.

Once we got used to paying attention to chemical odors, I realized that I myself would instantly switch from feeling in tip top shape to not feeling great in the presence of certain chemicals. Patsy has been gone some twenty years, but we have never resumed using anything that could be toxic.

Our church built an enclosed room with a separate air system when we built our new sanctuary so that others would be able to come to services without being exposed to harmful chemicals. Those who come can be safe and see and hear everything through floor to ceiling glass walls.

I lived most of my life in Houston. Maybe that had something to do with my later sensitivities as well.

So if I rode in the car with her it affected me a lot.

I was in a hotel yesterday. I think they use some kind of scented powder on the carpeting. It’s so strong I can TASTE the scent of that kind of perfumed scent.

If it is strong, I gag really bad. Even had to have special care with scented talcum or body powder.

It was the perfume.

In my retirement community, at the "shows," there's always someone in the audience with too much perfume.

That's one reason I stopped going. The other reason is that they are never any good!

I don't want my garbage to smell at all.

Back in the day, adding lavender to your rinse water was considered the height of luxury.

but just walking down the detergent aisle, it's overpowering. And now, in our store, you have to wait around for a clerk to come and unlock it.