Peace and Environment News* June 1995
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Peace and Environment News * June 1995 |
by Heather Burke
A person with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) is unable to tolerate contact with some substances in his or her everyday surroundings. MCS is also known as Environmental Illness (EI) or Environmental Sensitivities. MCS is not the same as allergies, which involve sensitization to an allergen which is a protein (i.e. mould, wheat, grass and foods). A person with MCS can have sensitivities not only to proteins but also chemicals, perfumes, formaldehydes, etc.
Possible triggers for MCS include:
Avoidance is the most important course of action. For children, the earlier you can stop their reactions, the stronger they will be as adults. The Allergy and Environmental Health Association has put out a list of safe alternatives to common household products to help people avoid sensitizers. Canada Mortgage and Housing is also producing a book of alternative products.
Environmental sensitivities can develop in individuals of any age regardless of whether they have a past history of allergies. There is usually a specifiable event that brings them on, which may be a massive exposure, such as a chemical spill, or chronic long-term low-level exposure. Once sensitized to a particular substance, a person reacts to the original trigger in the most minute amounts. There is also a process known as kindling whereby the nervous system becomes sensitized to many substances other than the original trigger.
Effects of environmental sensitivities may range from mild discomfort to severe disability or chronic health problems. Symptoms, which may develop suddenly or slowly, are wide ranging. The eyes, ears, nose and throat can become irritated or infected. There may be coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest and possible asthma. The skin may become itchy, cracked or swollen. Rashes are common. Food allergies are common, producing digestive system problems such as cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation, weight loss/gain and food cravings. Urinary and reproductive system problems also occur. There may be arthritic symptoms in the joints. Other symptoms include headaches, extreme tiredness, dizziness, mood swings, confusion, depression, hyperactivity, memory problems and seizures.
Many doctors do not recognize MCS as a legitimate illness, considering it to be chemophobia, as people become more concerned about the chemicals around them. However, although MCS has been increasing in the last fifty years, it is not a new illness, having been documented for 100 years.
MCS is being accepted by more and more doctors and organizations such as health insurance companies and Canada Pension. The Department of National Defence is looking at MCS as one of the possible contributing causes of the Gulf War syndrome.
Some of the information in this article has been summarized from the Allergy and Environmental Health Association (AEHA)-Ottawa Branch information package. Please contact Elizabeth Stutt at 825-8388 for more information.
Converted July 7, 2000 - Lg
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