Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
WHAT IS MCS? ::
RESOURCES ::
MCS LINKS
What is MCS?
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity is characterized by recurrent symptoms occurring in response to demonstrable exposure to many chemically unrelated compounds at doses far below those established in the general population to cause harmful effects. Symptoms may occur long after the exposure.
According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the preferred medical term for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome (MCSS) is "Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance" (IEI), which can be defined as a "chronic, recurring disease caused by a person's inability to tolerate an environmental chemical or class of foreign chemicals".
cite: niehs.nih.gov/external/faq/mcss.htm.
In 1998, an Interagency Workgroup on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was formed to study Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome. The workgroup concluded that "MCS is currently a symptom-based diagnosis without supportive laboratory tests or agreed-upon signs of clinical manifestation. . . However, scientific knowledge changes over time as additional findings are reported. It is therefore important not to lose sight of lessons from the past in which suspected health effects of environmental exposures were verified at a later date through scientific research."
cite: web.health.gov.
Allergic Reactions are as diverse as the person themselves; however, more and more people are developing severe allergies as a result of living in a toxic world. These allergies are known as chemically induced immune system disorders, and a fast spreading phenomenon associated with chemical hypersensitivity. Research by the California Dept. of Health estimates that up to 34% of Americans report symptoms of chemical sensitivity. Of this number up to 80% also have chronic fatigue syndrome; 65% have fibromyalgia, and over 85% have digestive and immune disorders.
cite: by Dr. Gloria Gilbere, Kootenai Valley Times.
A list of common indoor air pollutants would include the following: Combustion contaminants (carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, environmental tobacco smoke); Biological pollutants (animal dander, molds, dust mites, bacteria); volatile organic compounds (formaldehyde, fragrance products, pesticides, solvents, cleaning agents); heavy metals (airborne lead, mercury vapor); and Radon.
cite: National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services..
Resources
Chemical Injury Information Network, P.O. Box 301, White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645, 406.547.2255, 406.547.2455 Fax. CIIN is a non-profit support and advocacy organization run by the chemically injured primarily for the benefit of the chemically injured. Its main focus is on education, credible research on multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), and the empowerment of the chemically injured. CIIN publishes the monthly newsletter "Our Toxic Times" and has over 5,000 members in 35 countries.
cite: ciin.org.
Chemical Sensitivity Foundation, 3 Larrabee Farm Road, Brunswick, ME 04011, (207) 725-8570, info@chemicalsensitivityfoundation.org. Raising public awareness about multiple chemical sensitivity. Efforts in this area include the distribution of a six-page selected bibliography of studies and articles on chemical sensitivity published in peer-reviewed journals. It is important to alert physicians and researchers to scientific information on this condition that is as yet not always recognized or understood. One of CSF's goals is to distribute this list in order to stimulate other scientists to consider launching research studies in this field.
cite: chemicalsensitivityfoundation.org.
Environmental Health Network: EHN [of California]
P.O. Box 1155, Larkspur, California, 94977-1155, Support and Information Line
(SAIL) 415.541.5075. Staffed by volunteers who are living with Electromagetic Field, Environmental Illness, or Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.
cite: ehnca.org.
Access Board Report on Indoor Environmental Quality: Released July 22, 2005. A project of the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) with funding support from The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (Access Board). "This report and the recommendations included within are a direct outgrowth from that public comment process. The Access Board contracted with the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) to establish this Indoor Environmental Quality Project as a first step in implementing that action plan." [Complete IEQ Report in pdf format]
cite: ieq.nibs.org
National Center for Environmental Health: Promoting health and quality of life by preventing or controlling those diseases or deaths that result from interactions between people and their environment.
cite: cdc.gov/nceh/.
UN Dept of Economic and Social Affairs; Division of Sustainable Development: Consumption and Production Patterns - Information Database. International resources for standards and information on sustainable, environmentally safe development.
cite: un.org.
Health & Environment Resource Center: Source of information for people seeking to learn more about the relationship between the environment and human health. Information includes articles and reports, steps to create a less toxic environment for you and your family, personal and professional resources for information, and personal experiences.
cite: herc.org.
The Healthy Housing Coalition
P.O. Box 1213, Cedar Crest, NM. 87008, (505)-281-6405, hhcoalition@earthtones.com. MCS & Less Toxic Living, Common Misconceptions about MCS
cite: herc.org/hhc/.
MCS-Heightened Senses Network: Online chemical injury support group and forum for those who have been chemically injured and suffer from any of the following chemically related illnesses: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Environmental Illness (EI), Sick Building Syndrome, Toxic Injury, Silicone Implant Illness, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Gulf War Syndrome.
cite: disabilitystudies.com.
MCS Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Bibliography and Resources: List of resources.
cite: disabilitystudies.com.
Rocky Mountain Environmental Health Association: Links to a wide variety of MCS/EI support information, Public Health, Governmental Resources, Toxics Information and Healthy Housing Resources.
cite: bcn.boulder.co.us.
http://www.herc.org/herc/herchome.htm
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