Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is the name given by some to a condition in which various symptoms appear after a person has been exposed to any of a wide range of chemicals. The exposure may occur as a major event, such as a chemical spill, or from long-term contact with low-levels of chemicals: work environment, living near chemical agricultural sprays, inner city or industrial areas. People with MCS develop sensitivity and have reactions to the chemicals even at levels most people can tolerate.
Other names for this condition are environmental illness, sick building syndrome, hypersensitivity syndrome, twentieth century disease, total allergy syndrome and chemical sensitivity problem.
Is MCS a Real Disorder?
Historically, a syndrome called neurasthenia or “American nervousness” was described in 1880 which is similar to MCS. Modern discussion over the “chemical susceptibility problem” began in the 1950’s, when it was recognised that long term exposure to chemicals caused reaction to lower concentrations after sensitisation.
Today, many medical groups, including the CDC, the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, do not consider MCS a distinct physical disorder. There are several reasons for this.
- Lack of clinical evidence to support a physical cause for the symptoms.
- MCS sufferers do not develop antibodies in response to chemical exposure, as is the case with an immune system, or allergic reaction.
- MCS sufferers have high rates of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and somatoform disorders (mental disorders that are expressed through physical symptoms) About 50% of people with MCS meet the criteria for depression and/or anxiety disorders. Much of the controversy, then, centers on whether the symptoms associated with MCS are caused by physical or psychological factors.
However, a working definition for MCS was established in 1987. This ‘research definition’, created at a symposium on MCS, held by the Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics (AOEC) in the USA in 1991 which proposed MCS be known as:
- a change in health status identified by the patient (which rejects the notion of an association with a single event, but permits patient to identify some time period in which they felt well and a subsequent time period when they did not);
- symptoms triggered regularly by multiple stimuli;
- patients must have symptoms or signs related to chemical exposures at levels tolerated by the population at large;
- symptoms must have been experienced for at least six months;
- a defined set of symptoms reported by the patient;
- symptoms that occur in three or more organ symptoms;
- exclusion of patients with other conditions (psychiatric conditions were not necessarily considered exclusionary)
Symptoms of MCS
- Headache
- respiratory symptoms - sneezing, sore throat etc
- fatigue
- mental confusion; dizziness
- irritability and depression
- short term memory loss
- gastro-intestinal tract difficulties
- cardiovascular irregularities
- genito-urinary problems
- muscle and joint pain
- Nausea
- Irritability
- Intolerance to heat or cold
- Itching
- Skin rash or hive
This list is not meant to be exhaustive and other symptoms, such as poluria, have been reported.
It’s not possible to assess how many people suffer MCS as many healthcare practitioners do not recognize MCS as a disorder. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reported that about one-third of people working in sealed buildings claimed to be sensitive to one or more common chemicals. More women than men claim to have MCS, and it appears to occur most often in people between the ages of 30 and 50 years.
What Causes MCS?
The cause of MCS is unknown. Theories abound including immunological, psychosomatic, neurological inflammation, overload of biotransformation pathways (linked to free radical damage). One theory suggests that chemicals breathed in the nose affect an area of the brain called the limbic system. The limbic system plays a role in emotions, motivated behavior, and memory, which may make a person more sensitive to a chemical odor previously encountered, a condition called cacosmia. But lets just call it chemical poisoning.
There are three distinct phases of MCS:
- initial signs and symptoms to low level exposure to chemicals which become less when chemical is avoided
- reversible sensitivity, with intensifying signs and symptoms after continuing exposure, but partial or total reversal of symptoms after recognition of the condition and avoidance of exposure; and
- permanent multiple chemical sensitivity, after substantial or intense exposure, escalation of symptoms and spreading of effects to other chemical exposures.
The Phenomenon of “spreading”
Often the sensitivity to one exposure spreads to a wider range of agents. This ’spreading’ or ‘broadening:’ phenomenon is fairly characteristic of MCS but causes problems for some treating medical practitioners, who find it difficult to believe that such a wide range of exceptionally low level exposures can induce such a wide variety of symptoms in many organ symptoms.
There are four main types of individuals in which heightened reactivity to chemical exposures has been reported -
Group |
Nature of exposure |
Demographics |
| Industrial Workers | Acute or chronic exposure to industrial chemicals. | Primarily males.20 to 65 years old. |
| Office workers | Inadequate ventilation.Off gassing from construction or refurbishment materials or from office equipment.
Tobacco smoke. |
More females than males. White collar workers.20 to 65 years old. School children. |
| Contaminated communities | Toxic waste sites. Contamination by nearby industry sites.Aerial pesticide spraying. Groundwater contamination. Other community exposures. | Middle to lower class. All ages, male and female.Children or infants affected first or most, possible effects in pregnant women. |
| Individuals | Heterogenous.Indoor air (domestic). Pesticides, consumer products and drugs. | White upper to middle class, primarily females, 30-50 years old. |
Exposures that precipitate symptoms of MCS
Initially, individuals respond to one sort of chemical exposure, but if the spreading or broadening phenomenon occurs, the affected individual may respond to a much wider range of chemicals, and the exposures that precipitate symptoms become lower and lower. Table 2 shows a wide range of exposures that have been reported to provoke such symptoms in the chemically sensitive individual.
Type of Exposure |
Precipitating exposure |
|
| Specific chemicals | Ammonia Bleach Formaldehyde Glutaraldehyde | Mineral Turpentine Petrol Toluene White spirits |
| Workplace contaminants | Adhesives Industrial air contaminants Pesticides in building fumigation Photocopy toner Smoke |
Solvents Sulphur residues and processing fumes Utility gas Vapours from paints |
| Domestic contaminants | Bed linen washed with detergents, or treated with starch Chloride in water Cleaning products, disinfectants, bleach Cosmetics Food additives/contaminants, flavouring agents, preservatives, and sweetening agents Fragrances from perfumes and toiletries Insect sprays and repellents Laser printer and photocopier emissions |
Medication and drugs, including antibiotics, sulphonamides, aspirin, New carpets New clothes Newspapers Off-gases from some construction materials Plastic containers Synthetic textiles Synthetic vitamins Tobacco smoke (including passive smoking) Tar fumes (from roads and roof tar) Vehicle exhausts (petrol and diesel) |
Chronic Fatigue in MCS
Chronic fatigue is a common diagnosis outcome as the symptoms are somewhat similar. Fatigue, and chronic fatigue, is often part of multiple chemical sensitivity. CFS and MCS are conditions where the normal body mechanisms for dealing with exposure (either to a virus or chemicals) do not work properly, and getting well takes much longer than it would ordinarily.
Dealing with MCS
There are many support groups for those who suffer MCS such as the Australian Chemical Trauma Alliance and MultipleChemicalSensitivity.org
Nutritionally, following a traditional diet will help with MCS, especially:
Beet Kvass and Kombucha
Kombucha is rich in B vitamins and a substance called glucuronic acid which binds up environmental and metabolic toxins so that they can be excreted through the kidneys. Glucuronic acid is a natural acid that is produced by the liver and assists in the P450 enzyme system which the body employs for detoxification inside the cells. Kombucha simply supplies the body with more and boosts the natural detoxification process.
Beet Kvass also helps detoxify the Liver. If poisoning is severe and symptoms debilitating, best to start with small doses of Kvass, working up to 1/4 cup three times a day. Then Kombucha can be added. Take too much in the early stages and symptoms will increase due to the fermented beverages detoxifying effect, causing much suffering.
Sauerkraut
At least 1/2 cup daily will give you indole 3-carbinol (I3C), which helps block the production of toxic forms of estrogen and enhances the production of beneficial forms of estrogen. This is especially good for pesticide exposed people. This very popular recipe will start you on your sauerkraut journey.
Zinc Rich Foods
Zinc and other minerals help replace minerals bound by chemical and heavy metals. It’s rebuilding function and immune supporting function will assist greatly with recovery. Oysters are great source of zinc as is calf liver (both best raw) and lamb, turkey, pork, (all free range and pasture fed of course), dairy products and legumes.
Minerals
Broth Daily and green juices for Magnesium as well as raw dairy foods will ensure minerals. Poisons bind to minerals so MCS sufferers need more.
Vitamin A
Exposure to chemicals interfere with Vitamin A pathways, specifically the making of. Ensuring a diet high in Vitamin A will protect from further poisoning as well as recovery from current chemical load.
Take Cod Liver Oil every day and eat a diet rich in animal foods, especially the fatty portions like organs.
Other ideas
- Homeopathic cell salt Calc. Phos. 6X may offer protection, especially to the young.
- Tincture of milk thistle for liver support and protection against pesticides.
- Avoid Tartrazine (Yellow food dye) and Caffeine.
- Use natural personal products and home cleaners
- Try to use only wood and wool home furnishings and buy organic cotton sheets and clothes where you can.
- Avoid Marking pens and highlighters - use pencils instead
- Use saunas and light exercise (enough to sweat) to detoxify
- Use herbal repellants for mosquitoes: cedar wood, garlic, lemongrass, frankincense, cinnamon, geranium, eucalyptus, basil, rosemary, cloves, peppermint, lemon balm, onions, feverfew, thyme and marigold. Do not use citronella, it is toxic to humans.
- Install a bat house in your back yard. Bats can consume hundreds of mosquitoes and other insects per hour.
- Use tobacco juice instead of pesticies. Let 1/2 cup tobacco flakes stand in 1 quart water for several hours. Strain and place in a hand-held sprayer.
- Vinegar works wonders on weeds. Use a 10 percent concentration for young weeds, higher concentrations for older weeds. Try to coat all the leaves.
- A great way to get rid of ants, and possibly other household insects, is to put out the artificial sweetener aspartame.
Thanks to Dr Chris Winder, Associate Professor of School of Safety Science at Sydney University for the tables included in this report.
About the Author...
A Super Hero and one of many who have realised their true calling as saviors of humanity, healers of our connection with Nature and creators of Heaven on Earth. The Nourisher's gift is the re-spiritualisation of the 'process of recreation' we call eating. Mother of three Super Heroes in training and wife to her God incarnate, The Nourisher hails from the place of feminine healing, Byron Bay, Australia. She gathers together Life Creators from all over the globe at NourishedMagazine.com.au
Nov 27th, 2009 at 10:15 pm
I found your webpage in a search with keywords MCS and photocopiers.
I have developed a devastating respiratory condition diagnosed as bronchial hyperreactivity and multiple chemical sensitivity due to the cocktail of irritant vapours released by a photocopier and a laser printer in my job.
Has anyone heard of other persons blaming these office machines of causing them difficulty for taking a deep breath, chest pain and opression, intolerance to inhaled chemicals and other health complaints? It does not matter what the initial diagnosis might have been, often there is misunderstanding and misdiagnoses because of generalized medical ignorance about the toxicological effects of irritanting vapours on the small airways.
Thanks for any comments
Apr 21st, 2010 at 1:13 pm
I was poisened in 1983 by a Kodak photocopier when I was collating books for the very first scanners that came out. I was in a room that this giant copier barely fit in, and NO VENTILATION. I was getting sicker and sicker and sicker. I was only 23 years old and this was my first placement from Berkely College, and I had just moved this company into a brand new bldg. I was fine in the other bldg. with the same company. I was given a raise and a promotion, and I didn’t want to complain about making copies 40 hours a week, only leaving this room for 1/2 hour for lunch daily. I even stayed late, and always let every single person in the company cut in, because I was doing such huge jobs as this company expanded, and I wanted to finally tell my boss that this job should be sent to a printer. After four months I finally did, and he said okay, just like that. It was too late. I was standing in the copy room and suddently within seconds I know longer new who I was, where I was, where I was going. I made hundreds and thousands of copies and I couldn’t figure out how to make one copy now. I had no sense of time or direction. My brain thought the left was right and the right side was on the left. I got lost everywhere I went, and I couldn’t recognize people I knew well. I had severe brain damage, especially to the frontal lobes where the executive functioning comes from. I couldn’t plan anything, and most of all, I couldn’t explain how sick I was and how totally confused. I developed a severely hoarse voice for about 5 to 7 years, and then a 4 year headache in the front of my head which finally moved into my temples. Pain started to spread all over my body and I had no stamina whatsoever. I couldn’t create letters or do math of any kind, and learning new things became impossible. It changed me in every possible way. It took me 30 years to figure out why I am so ill, and I know I need low temperature saunas and chelation, because the poisen from the solvents from the toner has attached itself to the fat cells in the brain. People that went for class action suits got millions of dollars for treatments. How can I get people like us together, because these old copier from 1983 are gone, but we are all still here, and may be a minority group. Solvents are said to be worse than alcoholism. Actually once you realized you were sick you had to avoid drinking alcohol when previously you could tolerate many drinks, carpeting that is new, diesel gasoline, perfume, any type of spray cans like Lysols would burn my lungs. I would appreciate it if anyone in this similiar situation, diagnosed with fibromyalgia (which was caused by same) chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme Disease or Chronic Intractable pain, all from a weak immune system. Reversed circadian rythm, making you a complete outcast and not fit into society at all. No more exercising, I was an athlete giving up tennis, skiining, you name it. No stamina available….then panic sets in when your in a store with flourescent lighting and you have photophobia. We are talking a complete loss of my previous life, and I feel I should be compensated so that I can now for the first time seek proper treatments that I understand are very effective. I have already been exploited by many because I look like the picture of health, and nobody would ever believe that I have severe word finding problems, and I feel mentally blind because of aphasia and alogias. Please respond…….Thank you for reading this.
Apr 24th, 2010 at 5:29 am
I elected to be the third person who wrote in this thread about my experience with a large photocopier and it’s toner which seems to be right on topic. Can you please tell me why you deleted my document.
Apr 29th, 2011 at 12:17 am
Hallo, it is me the one above who reported getting ill because of office machines. I am not surprised of what Rosanne reports. Along the years I have heard of other persons all over the world suffering different illnesses due to these machines. One is suffering from fibromyalgia-chronic fatigue syndrome, three more from multiple chemical sensitivity (like me), another from vocal cord dysfunction, someone from bladder cancer, some others from some asthma-like complaints, emphysema and other respiratory illnesses, another from severe nose disease, and the list continues.
Virtually noone has received any compensation for our ailments, many like me have been left with a destroyed health, unable to work and no income support at all, depending on family and surviving pitifully. I originally had a brilliant career in the healthcare industry and a successful personal life, but all disappeared because of these machines.
There are many reasons for this unacceptable situation. Physicians are mislead by the medical industry to diagnose wrongly the illnesses produced by environmental toxics: they often call them psychosomatic disorders, which is more convenient for the powerful pollutant industry. The law courts are an expensive resource unavailable to poor sick workers. Politicians and social organizations are useless. My impression after three decades fighting this medical disinformation and employee manipulation by means of thousands of communications is that there is no justice in the world for those who have to face powerful financial-industrial-social interests. Just accept it and live with your sad lot the best you can, and think that you may be lucky enough to be alive: I am certain that others have been more unfortunate than me and are no longer in this world.
Jul 11th, 2011 at 8:47 am
This needs to be added in addition to the article above which consists of quotes by Dr. Pall in the following article. This explains what MCS is, and that it is not psychological as some believed for many years. His quotes are in the center of the article. Also you can visit the link at the end of the article to sign a petition asking the Olympics and affiliated organizations to go scent-free.
First printed in E-Parent Magazine.
FLASH MOB PROJECT CREATES AWARENESS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SENSITIVITIES.
Making Multiple Chemical Sensitivity a Household Word.
By: Melva Gail Smith
Having severe Asthma and trying to maintain a social life isn’t easy, but when you add the disability of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity to the combination, the challenges become even tougher. As a dancer with both Asthma and MCS, I was forced to give up the sport for 15 years before finding a group of line dancers that were considerate enough to cut back on wearing chemically scented products which trigger reactions in both conditions. Dance had always been a part of my healthy life style, and I often practiced Ballroom Dancing 4 or 5 days a week, participated in showcases, and had entertained at a nursing home and mall. Just as my young life seemed to be taking off, illness struck; making it impossible for me to be around scented products that were unfortunately heavily associated with the glamour of dancing. Having to give it up entirely was emotionally devastating to me as it had always been my life’s passion. Anyone who has lost a significant part of their life’s enjoyment due to disability barriers can certainly relate to the sudden traumatic impact it can have. The experience was so gut wrenching that it was impossible to watch a movie with dancing in it without bursting into a flood of tears. The next 15 years were lived with only memories of better times, as without dance; life suddenly lost it’s spark. Knowing the uplifting emotional benefits dancing has, one of my doctors suggested that I search and keep on searching until I found a place I could dance at without having immediate major reactions. It was during a time of trial that a friend persisted to suggest places I might go. Despite the risks, I agreed to meet them at Dancin’ Nuts, a local line dance group, where many of the dancers soon become considerate of my condition. The day that I began to take classes again was so uplifting that it was like experiencing a rebirth, and I never quit going back. It didn’t take long for me to realize that there were other dancers there who had the same disability and had found it to be a somewhat more MCS friendly environment. What I didn’t know at the time was that there was going to be a silver lining to my story, as I was about to be given the unique opportunity to participate in a MCS awareness campaign that would span across the globe.
When I heard dance choreographer Ira Weisburd was collecting videos from around the world for The Flash Mob Project and would be splicing them together into one large documentary film, I wanted to participate. I had never been in a flash mob before and it sounded like a lot of fun. A group called The Nuts and Honey’s Dance Club, that also produces a TV show by the same name on Insight Channel 98; was going to record the Kentucky segment. They were asking for dancers from the Louisville and Southern Indiana area to meet at a festival to perform Ira Weisburds line dance “Shuffle Boogie Soul,” to the song “Honky Tonk,” by Preston Shannon. Everyone was learning the steps, and it was a really exciting time for me. Getting to the film site was a challenge in itself, as it was filmed near one of Louisville’s more polluted industrial areas. This fact almost kept me from going, but I managed to get to the site and through the dance despite having both immediate and delayed reactions that went unnoticed by others.
After the video was submitted, Ira asked dancers to share any special stories they had associated with the project, and these were posted on a website next to the video’s. When my story posted next to the Kentucky video, so many e-mails were received from around the world inquiring about the condition; that Ira created the Breathe Freely Campaign to create an awareness about MCS and perhaps promote a more breathe freely attitude. An instructor in California e-mailed the story to his entire class, as one of his students also had it. It was incredibally wonderful to see this information shared with others, and the seldom heard of MCS becoming a household word. Being in the Flash Mob Project is one of the most uplifting and significant high points of my life, and the MCS community is fortunate to have someone like Ira create the much needed campaign; which continues to generate an awareness of this disabling and often misunderstood condition.
For those who have never heard of MCS, it is the inability of the body to readily detoxify and eliminate chemicals found in the everyday environment. These chemicals then go on to store in the liver, brain and fatty tissues of the body. Patients often detect and react adversly to very small amounts of toxins that may go unnoticed by healthy people. According to an article by Dr. Martin Pall that was published in the 3rd edition of “General and Applied Toxicology”, pages 2303-2352: chemicals can actually start a biochemical vicious cycle that makes us something like 1000 times more sensitive to these same types of chemicals . People carrying certain forms of genes that have roles in detoxifying these chemicals are often much more susceptible to this chemical sensitivity known as MCS. Unfortunately, MCS is a socially isolating condition with symptoms that can be triggered by everyday products such as lawn spray, pesticides, cleaning products, chemically scented products and a polluted environment. It can involve the respiratory and central nervous system, create musculoskeletal and digestive problems, as well as cause cognitive impairment just to name a few. With reactions ranging from memory loss and confusion to muscle weakness and pain, it can become so severe that it makes it near impossible for the patient to participate in any meaningful activity. Unlike Asthma, there are no medications to help prevent an attack. In fact, many people with MCS become homebound and live on a daily basis with chronic fatigue and other disabling symptoms. Those with a severe case can become homeless and unable to tolorate standard building material and home furnishings. Total avoidance of environmental triggers and wearing a face mask are the most common methods used to help manage it.
Pall, who is Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Sciences at Washington State University has given dozens of scientific talks on MCS in seven countries around the world. He states that the diverse different types of chemicals implicated in MCS all appear to be able to produce a similar toxic response in the body, too much activity of certain receptors in the body known as NMDA receptors. “We have, now a detailed mechanism for how this leads to the stunning chemical sensitivity known as MCS. There have been many claims that MCS is a psychological response, but we know now that this is false. It is a biochemical and physiological response of the body to chemical exposure” Pall states.
Asthma on the other hand is a different story in that there are medications on the market that can help prevent attacks, or stop one once it has started. While Asthma can be exercise induced, an aerobic workout can also be beneficial as it enables the lung to receive oxygen that is then transported to the blood and circulated throughout the body. One form of exercise that helps improve lung function in this manner is dance. It doesn’t matter if it is Ballroom, Zumba, or Line Dancing, as long as it is fast enough for one to reach an aerobic state. According to the National Lung and Blood Institute, “Aerobic activity makes your heart beat faster than usual. You also breathe harder during this type of activity. Over time, regular aerobic activity makes your heart stronger and able to work better.” Strenuous dance can actually double blood volume and oxygen to the brain as well as strengthen bones in both the hips and legs.
Everyone should be given the equal opportunity to participate in dance. The many benefits of dancing has been well documented and includes but is not limited to: increased circulation, enhanced mood, improved range of motion, increased confidence, weight loss, lower risk of cornary disease, increased HDL, and the joy of social contact. “Dancing is one of the healthiest hobbies you can have.” Ira Weisburd said when asked about it’s health benefits. “I have been teaching seniors for more than 30 years and I can tell you that it has added years to their lives. I have several students in their 90’s and they are living proof that dancing prolongs life,” Ira said. To read more about The Flash Mob Project and the Breathe Freely Campaign, go to hannaian.com/sbsvideos/breathefreely.html.
After the writing of this article I started a petition, asking the Olympic committee to make the Olympics and their affiliated organizations scent-free. This should include ballroom dancing and open up classrooms for many who find scented products a disability barrier. To view, sign and pass the petition on to others, visit http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/ban-scented-products-in-the-olypmics-and-affiliated-org.html