Multiple Chemical Sensitivity MCS

Individuals with chemical sensitivity, also referred to as chemical intolerance, are those who react adversely to low levels of chemicals that are tolerated by the general population. These include Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM), and Gulf War Syndrome (GWS). Each is a clinically defined condition that can give rise to chemical sensitivity, but there is, however, considerable comorbidity between them. Each is addressed individually, followed by a discussion of its similar responses to chemical stimuli. 

MCS is a chronic condition in which multiple symptoms occur following exposure to chemicals at low levels (levels generally tolerated by healthy persons). The concept of sensitivity to multiple chemicals, which was first described by Randolph in the 1940s,I1,2 may have existed for more than a hundred years. 

An acquired disorder following exposure to unusually high levels of an organic chemical. 

Both psychiatric (depression, mania, hallucinations, and anxiety) and physical (arthritis, bronchospasm, and rhinitis) symptoms may be present. 

Stimulatory syndromes (e.g., mania) may be triggered by acute exposures and be followed by withdrawal symptoms (e.g., headache, depression) hours to days after removal from an exposure. 

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What has become an even greater concern in recent years is the phenomenon known as multiple chemical sensitivity disorder triggered by exposures to many chemicals in the environment. Synthetic chemicals are all around us. They are in the products we use, in the clothes we wear, in the food we eat, in the air we breathe at work. Because chemicals are everywhere in the environment, it is not possible to escape exposure. For this reason many people have become sensitized to the chemicals around them. In fact, it is estimated that 15% of the population has become sensitized to common household and commercial products. For some people the sensitization is not too serious a problem. They may have what appears to be a minor allergy to one or more chemicals. Other people are much more seriously affected. They may feel tired all the time, and suffer from mental confusion, breathing problems, sore muscles, and a weakened immune system. Such people suffer from a condition known as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). 

A small percentage of the population may be sensitive to a number of chemicals in indoor air, each of which may occur at very low concentrations. The existence of this condition, which is known as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), is a matter of considerable controversy. MCS is not currently recognized by the major medical organizations. Medical opinion is divided, and further research is needed. The applicability of access for the disabled and worker s compensation regulations to... 

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. ... 

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is characterized by a variety of adverse effects upon multiple organs that result from exposure to levels of common foods, drugs, and chemicals that do not affect most people. Symptoms include headaches, fatigue, lack of concentration, memory loss, asthma, and other often subjective responses following exposure. MCS has remained controversial because standard medical evaluations, such as blood biochemical screens, have failed to identify consistent physical or laboratory test abnormalities that would account for the symptoms. 

Hypothetical or potenhal causalities include postulated causalities which have not yet been proven to be related to IAQ. An example is multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Often effects or exposures cannot be quantified, not even by indicators. Toxicological evaluations can only deal with effects and exposures which are quantifiable. Therefore, these undocumented causalities must be defined as hypothetical or potential causalities. Even if some of these effects may be considered adverse or have high prevalence, the present level of knowledge prohibits an official rational preventive action and no official guidelines or recommendations can be established. It should be noted that all new types of IAQ problems start as hypothetical. This group includes many health effects which are potentially important to human health and thus defines the research forefront in IAQ sciences. Table 14.2 shows some examples. Several potential or hypothetical causalities are discussed in the scientific literature. Their relevance to health indoors is unknown and no official recommendations or guidance can be established. Mitigation of indoor climate problems becomes a matter of ad hoc solutions and a major... 

You are about to learn more about an environmental illness which has been identified since the 1950s Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). 

L. Barta et al., Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) A 1999 Consensus, Archives ofEnviron-... 

Barta, L., et al. Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) A1999 Consensus. Archives of Environmental Health May-June 1999 54(3) 147-149. www.elc.org.uk/pages/ healthmcsdefinition.htm. 

Hooper, Malcolm. Engaging with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). http // www.satori-5.co.uk/word articles/mcs/en gagi ng w ith mcs. html. 

The Interagency Workgroup on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. A report on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). August 24, 1998. http //www.health.gov/environ ment/mcs. 

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) or multiple chemical intolerance (MCI) is a term used to describe a variety of symptoms associated, in some cases, with exposure to indoor air contaminants. Individuals with this syndrome seem to respond to very low levels of chemicals, and the condition can involve various organ systems. It appears to be induced by a wide variety of agents, but once induced it can be triggered by low-concentration exposures to numerous other chemicals. Indoor air pollutants not only appear to set off symptoms in the chemically intolerant, but several studies suggest that some pollutants or pollutant mixtures may also initiate the condition. This phenomenon has been described in... 

Chemical Sensitivity Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Fibromyalgia (FM), and Gulf War Syndrome (GWS)... 

The multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) syndrome is a term that has been used to describe a constellation of non-specific systemic symptoms occurring after exposure to a wide variety of irritating agents. Patients present with headaches, food intolerance, fatigue, lack of concentration and depression which they attribute to their work environments. These symptoms subside... 

Wolf C Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI). Environmental Science andPollution Research International 3 139-143,1996... 

Many of the assumptions under which she was working have now been refuted. Her mechanism of action for the adverse effects of pesticides was that continuous exposure slowly damaged our cell s metabolic machinery. This is fundamentally wrong and has no serious scientific proponents today. Curiously, similar arguments and even Silent Spring itself are invoked today by people suffering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) syndrome (this topic to be dealt with in more detail later in this book). 

Neuro-psychological and neuro-behavioral symptoms (e.g., subjective symptoms, multiple chemical sensitivity - MCS)... 

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) A controversial term not recognized by many medical organizations. MCS relates to simple exposure to a number of substances at small concentrations and experiencing health problems as a result. 

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