Multiple chemical sensitivity causative chemicals

Understanding multiple chemical sensitivity causes, effects, personal experiences and resources / Els Valkenburg foreword by Kim Schoppink. p. cm. 

MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY An acquired disorder characterized by recurrent symptoms, referable to multiple organ systems, occurring in response to many chemically-unrelated compounds at doses far below those established in the general population to cause harmful effects. No single widely accepted test of physiologic function can be shown to coiTelate with symptoms. 

The most commonly accepted definition of MCS was written by Mark Cullen, M.D., a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Yale University. In Workers With Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Occupational Medicine 2 (1987) 655-626, he writes, Multiple chemical sensitivities is an acquired disorder characterized by recurrent symptoms, referable to multiple organ systems, occurring in response to demonstrable exposure to many chemically unrelated compounds at doses far below those established in the general population to cause harmful elfects. No single widely accepted test of physiologic function can be shown to correlate with symptoms. ... 

People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity become ill as soon as they are exposed to specific chemicals (smoke, perfume, cleaning products, et cetera). This is often caused by a problem in their detoxification system (sometimes caused by DNA defects) and/or for example short and long time chemical (over) exposure (think of the many firefighters who got ill after September 11 or of soldiers with Gulf War syndrome). Reiki cannot solve this problem, but it can support both the physical and mental processes and the energy deficiency that often occurs in this syndrome. A combination of remedies is best to try and improve the condition avoid the chemical stimuli, eat biological food, use food supplements to support detoxification, exercise, meditate and use Reiki (see www.the-abc-of-mcs.com for more information about this disease). 

Patients allegedly suffering from multiple chemical sensitivities complain of depression, excessive fatigue, sleep disorders, irritability, headaches, and symptoms, such as rhinitis, similar to those associated with allergies. Although immune system disorders are hypothesized as the most frequent underlying cause. 

As can be seen from this list of symptoms, many are emblematic of multiple chemical sensitivity and chronic fatigue syndrome. This crossover of symptoms often complicates the diagnosis of FM. Mechanistically, oxidative stress and nitric oxide are believed to play a role in FM pathophysiology however, it is not clear at this time whether the oxidative stress abnormalities found in FM are the cause or the effect J46 59 ... 

In many cases, multiple chemical sensitivity symptoms result from classical conditioning. An initial exposure causes emotional reactions during or after the exposure odor acts as a future trigger or conditioned stimulus for symptoms. Symptoms result from autonomic hyperactivity from fear of exposure (Amundsen et al. 1996 Bolla-Wilson et al. 1988 Schottenfeld 1987 Shusterman and Dager 1991). 

Moorhead JF, Suruda AJ Occipital lobe meningioma in a patient with multiple chemical sensitivities. Am J Ind Med 37 443-446, 2000 Nawab SS, Miller CS, Dale JK, et al Self-reported sensitivity to chemical exposures in five clinical populations and healthy controls. Psychiatry Res 95 67-74, 2000 Perry S Tech-brief from the Alberta Implementation Committee for Health Technology Assessment. Int J Technol Assess Health Care 11 623-639, 1995 Randolph TG Allergy as a causative factor of fatigue, irritability, and behavior problems of children. J Pediatr 31 560-572, 1947... 

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity—Generally Supportive of a Physiological Cause... 

Environmental exposme to organic solvents is supposed to be one cause of multiple chemical sensitivity which characterizes nemopsychological disorders. Organic solvents from paints seem to play a role. The relevant exposxue characteristics (dose, time, possible dose-response relationship) are also discussed. ... 

There were many nonspecific illnesses, or syndromes, that emerged in the late twentieth century. Despite, or perhaps because of, their proliferation, they are usually controversial. All have in common either a lack of identifiable cause or a diversity of expression, or both. In addition to sick building syndrome and multiple chemical sensitivity, nonspecific Ulnesses include Gulf War syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, cumulative trauma disorder (also called repetitive strain injury), and a host of psychological disorders. 

In addition to the proteins discussed above, a large number of reactive chemicals used in industry can cause asthma and rhinitis. Hypersensitivity pneumonias have also been described. Isocyanates and acid anhydrides are industrial chemicals that cause occupational asthma. Acid anhydrides, such as phthalic anhydride, seem to cause mainly type I reactions, whereas the IgE-mediated mechanism explains only a part of the sensitizations to isocyanates. Several mechanisms have been suggested, but despite intensive research no models have been generally accepted. The situation is even more obscure for other sensitizing chemicals therefore, the term specific chemical hypersensitivity is often used for chemical allergies. This term should not be confused with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) syndrome, which is a controversial term referring to hypersusceptibility to very low levels of environmental chemicals. ... 

A unified safety standard for raw and processed foods This amends the Delaney clause in the FFDCA. Under the Delaney clause, a chemical that causes cancer in experimental animals (regardless of dose) shall not be allowed in processed food. Under the FQPA, pesticide residues shown to cause cancer in humans or animals are allowed on food if the EPA determines that the tolerance is safe, meaning that there is a reasonable certainty that no harm will result from exposure to the pesticide. This amendment is necessary mainly because of improved analytical capabilities. Under the Delaney clause, a carcinogen pesticide would be given a zero tolerance in processed food. However, zero tolerance caused many problems. As the analytical sensitivity increased, concentrations that were zero by old methods became measurable. A unified safety standard eliminates longstanding problems posed by multiple standards for pesticides in raw and processed foods. 

---