I've got allergies and asthma, so I definitely feel this. Luckily both are mild for me, so it's more of a pain in the butt than anything else, but I've definitely politely asked office-mates to refrain from dousing themselves with perfume while still in the office.

but I've definitely politely asked office-mates to refrain from dousing themselves with perfume while still in the office.

Are you talking about Adamc?

"Nice perfume - must you marinate in it?"

what some consider ambient aromas, others perceive as a relentless chemical assault on their respiratory system

I had problems before, but after 9/11 it got so much worse. It's a horrible feeling to have your airway swell up, limiting air intake. If I could afford it, I'd get one of those bubbles or a house like one of the characters on Northern Exposure.