The LIGHT Center, T-90, College of the Redwoods (476-4290)

Within my first month here in California, I was asked what I thought about MCS. My response clearly illustrated my lack of knowledge about the subject. I had worked in the medical and educational fields for 17 years and had never heard of this condition. So, being eager not to appear totally ignorant, I made an effort to learn about the problem of chemical sensitivity. My first question was related to why I had never encountered anyone claiming to have the condition. Was it something specific to California or the US?

Perhaps part of the problem surrounding wide acknowledgement and understanding of MCS arises from the variation in definitions, symptoms, and research methods used when considering the condition. The first studies looking at a definition of MCS appear to have emerged in 1985 and continue to the present. There is a great deal of inconsistency in reports making diagnosis difficult. The range of reported incidence goes from .4% to 15% of the population. Many traditional physicians and allergists feel that the research is not conclusive enough to be supported by the medical community. Therefore, the condition is often undiagnosed or simply referred to as allergies, a psychosomatic illness, or an "unknown condition." To date, there is no specific test which tests for this condition.

Despite these problems the people who suffer with the problem have no doubt that it exists. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Social Security Administration have recognized it as a disabling condition.

So, what is MCS? It is a disorder which is triggered by exposure to chemicals in the environment. Exposure can be through air, food, water or skin contact. The symptoms occur in more than one organ in the body, making reactions more severe and increasingly chronic. The belief is that the body defenses are broken down due to repeated low dose exposure or massive single exposure to chemicals. Then, even common chemical exposures can result in adverse reactions. While the specific causes of MCS are not known, it is thought that the damaging exposure(s) may be due to any of the following:

• Perfumes, colognes, scented body products
• Gas stoves
• Cleaning supplies
• House paints
• Pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, wood preservatives
• Vehicle exhaust fumes
• New building materials and furnishings, offgassing of new carpets
• Toxic chemicals used in art, printing, photography etc.
• Formaldehyde in new clothes, books, and other products
• Carbonless paper, inks, copying machines, laser printer toner
• Second hand tobacco smoke

Comments? Questions? mailto:trish-blair@redwoods.edu

January 10, 2000

Symptoms associated with this disorder tend to be diverse and wide ranging.

• Headaches
• Flu-like symptoms
• Asthma or breathing problems
• Dizziness
• Increased sensitivity to odors
• Mental confusion
• Bloating and intestinal problems
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Short and long term memory loss
• Persistent skin rashes and sores
• Inflammation
• Muscle weakness and joint pain
• Food allergies
• Numbness and tingling
• Visual disturbances
• Ear, nose and throat problems
• Autoimmune disorders
• Cardiovascular irregularities
• Seizure disorders
• Genitourinary problems
• Irritability
• Persistent infections
• Behavioral problems
• Learning problems

• Open windows
• Well-ventilated space free of pollutants such as smoke, perfumes
• Selection of least toxic furnishings
• Pre-notification of painting, renovations
• Education of co-workers
• Schedule options for affected workers
• Allow option for working at home

Love looks through a telescope; envy, through a microscope.
Josh Billings