Awareness that

Chemicals

Cause

Environmental

Sickness and

Suffering

MCS can be caused by either chronic low-level exposures to chemicals or by a single major exposure. A National Academy of Sciences Report estimates that at least 15% of the population is sensitive to chemicals. Quite unlike a disability that can be visually perceived (from wheelchairs, crutches or other tangible evidence), MCS is not so obvious except in extreme cases when people must wear respirators. More often than not, people with MCS are ridiculed rather than accommodated and must spend precious time and energy "defending" their illness. Even the national news media made jokes when Marin County, CA passed a law prohibiting the use of perfumes at public meeting places.

Prejudice will take the front seat -- if we letit. Hopefully, by education we can stop it. Accommodations need not be expensive; substitutions and avoidance usually will do the trick and permit people with MCS access to places where they could not otherwise go.

A recent Institute of Medicine report entitled Environmental Medicine and the Medical School Curriculum addressed the education of physicians concerning the effects of the environment on human health. Implementation recommendations are expected to follow. Doctors will be expected to take appropriate, detailed environmental exposure histories, including work histories, of all aptients and will learn to recognize symptoms of chemical poisoning. But the public needs to be educated, too.

Some Examples of Chemical Barriers:

1. Maintenance chemicals, which include strong disinfectants, carpet shampoos, waxes and polishes, etc.
2. Cigarette Smoke.
3. Remodeling chemicals (paints, wallpapers, solvents, glues, varnishes, etc.).
4. Pesticides of any kind. Don't forget the "poisoned pansies"; i.e., all those lovely plants that may make a room or office attractive but are loaded with pesticides, fungicides and insecticides.
5. Construction chemicals that have not yet "gased out." New panels, desks, shelving and furniture containing formaldehyde can also be a problem.
6. New carpeting and the foam rubberpadding and glues used to install it. In addition, carpeting retains toxic dust from perfumes, dry cleaning and other chemical agents.
7. Fragrance emission devices (room air deodorizers, etc.), especially those that run through heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems.
8. Odors from copy and fax machiones, computers, treated papers (particularly chlorinated papers and triplicate copy papers) and other office machines.
9. Strong odors, solvents and lacquers from perfumes, deodorants, hair sprays, body and laundry soaps, fabric softeners and dry cleaning.

Some ways Employers Can Help

1. Providing extra ventilation with fresh air.
2. Cutting way back on the use of perfume by other people in the workplace and especially those working in the same room with some with MCS.
3. Completely banning fragrance emission devices.
4. Investigating (buy use of OSHA Material Safety Data Sheets) the contents of their cleaning and remodeling products and then using safer alternatives.
5. Providing flexible working hours to reduce exposures during peak rush hours and lunch hours, etc.
6. Providing safer work areas (i.e., without carpeting, etc.).
7. Educating themselves concerning their legal responsibilities.
8. Educating other employees.

Some Ways Families and Individuals Can Help:

1. Do not question, disbelieve or criticize anyone who indicated that certain odors or products are making them ill.
2. Educate yourself concerning the effects of chemicals on the body - you may be shocked by what you learn. Many publications concerning pesticides and toxic agents are available free from the government.
3. Limit your use of perfumed products and strong chemicals. Your own chronic headache or other ailments may miraculously disappear!
4. Treat others as yiou would like to be treated. Imagine that you have this disease. What considerations would you want from others? What would you want others to do to help you? Then do it!

Tips for people with MCS

1. Ask for the considerations you need in a straightforward manner.
2. Do not apologize for your illness; it is not your fault.
3. Do not expect everyone to understand immediately (including yiour family or your best friend).
4. Try not to take any negative comments personally.
5. You do not have to defend yourself or your illness. Make calm statements, such as: "You evidently aren't familiar with this disease. May I suggest some reading materials that will familiarize you with MCS?"