Learn About: CHEMICAL SENSITIVITIES

People who suffer allergic-type reactions when exposed to "normal" levels of synthetic chemicals may have MCS - Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, which is a more severe form of chemical sensitivity. Theron G. Randolph, an allergist, was the first to recognize this condition. His theory is that some people accumulate small does of chemicals over time, to the point that the body becomes unable to tolerate further exposure. These sensitivities are basically an environmental illness caused by living in an increasingly toxic world.

Triggers: Sensitivity triggers can include chemicals found in pesticides, perfumes and scented products, tobacco smoke, new carpet, air "freshners", new paint, building materials, laundry products, as well as cosmetics and personal grooming products.

Criteria:The criteria used to diagnosis chemical sensitivites include:

• Reactive to exposure (even low levels) of irritants/toxins/triggers that are not detected or troublesome to others
• The problem is ongoing/chronic
• Symptoms occur with repeated exposure
• Improvement occurs when the triggers are absent

Although some doctors and associations question the validity of this diagnosis, more and more are recognizing that the removal of chemical irritants does relieve symptoms of people with MCS.

Diagnosis: Since the diagnosis of chemical sensitivites can be challenging, it is important to work with a doctor or alternative professional that you trust and have confidence in. If you are looking for a doctor in your area the American Academy of Environmental Medicine can help you to locate an Environmental Medicine Specialist: http://www.aaem.com/- they are also a good resource for books on the subject, and other web links. Yale University School of Medicine Dept. of Internal Medicine also specializes in diagnosing MCS: www.info.med.yale.edu.

Discuss with your doctor the following lab tests if you suspect you have MCS as they may be useful in determining if there is damage to the central nervous sytem, enzyme functioning, and or the immune system, which often occurs in those suffering with MCS. The tests include:

• SPECT Brain Scans
• Immune Studies
• Quantitative electroencephalograms
• Porphyria Tests
• Neuropsycological evaluations

If you want to determine if any chemicals in your food or the products you use react negatively with your body without visiting a doctor,try using Muscle Testing. Other articles you may find of interest: Chemicals Can Make You Fat, Detoxification, Natural Dentistry, Natural Lawn and Garden, Natural Pest Control, and Reduce Toxic Exposure.

Symptoms: The symptoms of MCS are wide-ranging with some people experiencing just one, and other multiple symptoms, and they can be immediate or delayed up to a few days:

• asthma/breathing problems
• memory loss and confusion
• migranes/headaches
• shortness of breath
• irregular heartbeat
• muscle and joint pain
• seizures
• congestion and sneezing
• rashes
• joint pain
• dizziness
• fatigue
• sleep problems

Treatment: There is no current treatment for MCS, but one of the keys to reducing or eliminating your symptoms is to avoid as much exposure as possible to chemicals. You may also want to consider a detoxification program, and supporting your body with nutritional supplements and proper nutrition. I would personally recommend exploring the many benefits of Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) as that has been tremendously helpful for me in reducing my levels of sensitivity.

Tips To Reduce Toxic Exposure:

• Wear organic clothing* and use organic cotton bedding (pesticides and insecticides are used to grow regular cotton; chlorine is used to bleach it; arsenic is used for fabric treatment!) Visit Recommended for retailers that offer organic cotton and natural fiber choices
• Avoid cigarette smoke
• Avoid high mercury and PCB fish like swordfish, shark, tuna steaks, farm-raised salmon
• Watch what you apply to your skin as skin care products and cosmetics are loaded with synthetic chemicals, especially nail polish, a major source of phthalates For natural cosmetics visit www.allnaturalcosmetics.com my favorite source for anything natural, or check out the Recommended page for other retailers
• Use caution with plastic products and plastic wrap as chemicals can leach out of them especially when used for fatty foods such as meat and cheese, according to the US Food and Drug Administration. Make sure to drape it loosely over the food; never microwave in plastic; do not reuse trays and containers meant for one time use! Instead of plastic, try a glass or ceramic plate over a bowl to do the job
• Avoid fabrics and products that are chemically treated (for stains, wrinkles, etc)
• Purchase furniture made of natural wood - no MDF or particleboard
• Rid your home and work environmentof all possible pollutants - create one or two "clean rooms" in your home...a place for you to escape to when feeling overwhelmed
• When bringing new items into your home, choose carefully and air them out if they have a "chemical smell" before bringing inside
• Keep windows open when possible
• Read labels on everything!
• Eat organic/natural foods whenever possible

*A personal note: Because something is completely natural is not a guarantee that it is compatible with your body...I have had experiences where I was sensitive to even organic cotton - I am guessing it might have been a reaction to the dye that was used, and yet was able to wear a similar item made of regular cotton with no problem. That is why I strongly recommend muscle testing for those who are super-sensitive or who don't always react to the same things in the same way. Your body will guide you to what does, and does not, agree with you...for more information see Muscle Testing.

• Use a biodegradable, preferably vegetable-based soap when shampooing carpet.
• Calistoga mineral water makes an excellent spot-remover. Use a clean terry cloth to blot out spots as soon after the spill as possible.
• Avoid products containing tetrachloroethylene (spot remover) or hydrofluoric acid (rust remover).
• Be persistent. Not all spots come out easily.
• For fruit and wine spots: immediately blot with a towel and add cold water, continuing to blot.
• Grease: boiling water followed with dry baking soda
• Blood: cold water or hydrogen peroxide. Or try a paste of cornstarch, corn meal or talcum powder. Allow to dry and brush away.
• Rust: saturate with lemon juice and rub with salt.
  

• First remove the ants. Vacuuming them with cornstarch will suffocate them. If they're in a potted plant, take it outside and flood it.
• Then remove the attraction. Ant-attractive food — honey, sugar, cough syrup — goes in the fridge or jars with rubber gaskets and lids with a metal clamp. A screw-top jar with wax paper between the lid and jar also works. Cookies go in plastic containers.
• Pet food needs a moat — put the food bowl in a larger, shallow tray or pie pan filled with water. Or wash the bowl after your pet finishes eating.
• Clean the ant trail with a citrus-based cleaner.
• Set ant bait stations near entry points or trails. Borax and boric acid are the least toxic to mammals and work slowly, allowing foraging ants to spread it through the colony.

• Clean the mess as best you can with ordinary soap and water.
• Make a slurry with baking soda and water and apply generously to the soiled area.
• Let dry and vacuum away the powder.

Great tips from the Ohio State University Extension Website:
www.ohioline.osu.edu/cd-fact/0192.html

What are common chemicals of exposure in the home or office?

Whether indoors or out, in the city or in the country, the mountains or the desert, all of us are continually exposed to chemicals. Both natural and synthetic, chemicals are a part of our lives. Most of us are unaware of our dependence upon chemicals and how much we often use them to make our lives easier. Whether or not MCS is a "real illness," the discussion about MCS suggests there may be a concern in our society. We use and depend on chemicals; often we overuse chemicals and ignore the impacts from using these chemicals. At home, at work, in recreation, or wherever, it is important to be aware of the chemicals that are likely to be present and to take appropriate precautions to minimize the use of the chemicals we control.

Below is a chart of some of the chemicals to which some people are most likely to have sensitivity.

One of the areas over which individuals have the most control is the choices for household products and cleansers. What is selected to bring into the home and to use in the home can significantly reduce the cumulative exposure to chemicals by individuals. Purchasing decisions can be based on:

1. The types of chemicals used in a product
2. Whether chemicals are synthetic or naturally occurring and individual reactions to each
3. The likelihood of interaction effects (especially in different cleansers in the same area of the home such as window cleaner, dust spray, floor cleaner, furniture polish, etc. in one room)
4. Fragrances and dyes used including "scents" that are supposed to smell clean such as synthetic lemon, pine, floral and the like
5. Natural versus synthetic fabrics and materials and individual reactions to each.

Reducing multiple exposures and unnecessary exposure is important. But chemophobia is not the desired behavior either. Chemicals are not bad. Excessive use and misuse of chemicals is often the problem. For products used in the home, careful reading of the label and careful following of the instructions is necessary. Information on chemicals is available from libraries and health departments; if you are concerned about someone's health, it is always advised to see a physician. As with most environmental issues, learning about the issue starts with understanding the issue on a personal, manageable level.

Other Sources of Information on Chemical Sensitivies:

There are many wonderful websites with lots of great information, these are just a few I found very helpful:

http://mcsurvivors.com/

http://www.multiplechemicalsensitivity.org/

http://www.ei-resource.org

**If you are interested in taking a free survey to determine your level of toxic exposure visit: http://extras.insidebayarea.com/bodyburden/.

**Below are excerpts from a wonderful website full of great information - written by Jackie, who suffers with MCS, and her husband Gordon:

Not everyone will have the incentive to make all these changes - however, every change you make WILL make a difference! This way of living is not only much better and safer for YOU - it's also much better for the environment! Switching to non-toxic living can be a very pleasant experience if we think of it as a return to the purity and safety of the way our ancestors lived. Many of the suggestions here were actually used by our ancestors before all the toxic chemicals were marketed to make life "easier". We pay dearly for that "ease" with the loss of safe, clean air to breathe and, in many cases, the loss of our health. Some of the products may take a little more "elbow grease" - others actually work BETTER than their toxic alternatives - either way, you can take major steps to cleaning up your environment and protecting yourself and your family from toxic chemicals by following these suggestions.

1. Avoid ALL scented products ("fragrance" as an ingredient) - including all perfumes, colognes, after-shaves, personal-care products, air fresheners, pot-pourri, etc. Be careful about certain "unscented" products that use "masking fragrance" to cover up the original fragrance - these are doubly toxic!

2. Avoid ALL fabric softeners, dryer sheets, Clorox, scented detergents, etc. These products are VERY toxic and very harmful to the environment as well.

3. Avoid ALL pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, and fertilizers. Pesticides are neuro-toxins (affect the central nervous system), and they don't know the difference between the BUGS and YOU! For fleas, roaches, ants, etc., use diatomacious earth, boric acid, and nematodes. You can get these from health food stores and pet supply stores - or from some of the "Resources" listed on the MCS Resources page.

4. Use only non-toxic cleaning products and personal-care products (see below).

5. Drink and bathe in filtered water. Taking a shower in chlorinated water causes the chlorine to go right into your blood stream. You can purchase shower filters that easily attach to your shower nozzle from water-supply stores (check your Yellow Pages) or from many of the mail-order companies listed on the MCS Resources page. Also avoid swimming in chlorinated pools.

6. Eat organic food (food grown without pesticides or fertilizers) as often as possible. Avoid processed foods, foods with colors and dyes, preservatives, etc. NEVER consume products containing "NutraSweet" (aspartame). It breaks down into formic acid ("ant-sting poison") and methanol (wood alcohol) in your body! (See "Links to Related Sites" for more information about aspartame.)

7. Wear only natural-fiber clothing (100% cotton, linen, wool, or silk). Make sure the clothes are NOT "permanent press" or "wrinkle resistant" - these clothes have been treated with formaldehyde that does NOT wash out!

8. Use only 100% cotton, wool, or pure silk bed linens and blankets. Avoid "no-iron" or "wrinkle-resistant". A good brand is "Simply Cotton", marketed by "Martex" and available at department stores like Dillards. Wal-mart also now carries 100% cotton "T-shirt" sheets!

9. As much as possible, avoid plastics (store food in glass jars), particle-board, plywood, glues, inks, paints (use Glidden 2000 - least toxic), foam rubber, vinyl, carpet, synthetic rugs, varnishes, solvents, etc.

10. Open your windows as often as possible! Even in the most polluted cities, the outdoor air has been found to be less toxic than the indoor air! Amazing, isn't it?!

11. Certain houseplants are beneficial to remove toxins from the air, such as formaldehyde, benzene etc.  The best plants for removing these and other toxins are philodendrons, spider plants, aloe vera, English ivy, golden pothos, and boston fern. To learn more about this, there is a really good book available called: "How to Grow Fresh Air: 50 Houseplants That Purify Your Home or Office"by B. C. Wolverton. (NOTE: Many thanks to Karen Snyder for this information!)

1. GENERAL CLEANING:

• White Vinegar (cleans windows, counter tops, chrome, grease, floors, etc.)
  
  
• Bon Ami (sinks, etc.) - near the "Comet"
  
  
• Borax (toilets, tubs, floors) - disinfects, deodorizes, kills mold and mildew, and great for laundry - in the detergent aisle
  
  
• Baking Soda - sit around in small bowls to absorb odors; also cleans sinks, great for laundry, etc.
  
  
• Lemons (clean windows, sinks, grease, etc.). You can also use lemons as an air freshener. Cut 4 lemons into 4ths. Put in a pot and cover with water. Simmer for about an hour and turn heat off. Will fill room with wonderful aroma! (Note: Some people react to the odors of lemons and oranges, even though they're considered "natural". Please be careful!) My personal opinion is that pure fresh air with no added scent is BEST - however, for those of you who simply must have some kind of "scent" in the air to feel like your air is fresh, this is probably the next-best thing, and is MUCH better than the toxic "air fresheners" (poisoners, actually)!
  
  
• Furniture polish: any vegetable oil, lemon oil, etc. (2 parts oil, 1 part lemon juice works great!), Earthrite furniture polish (HFS), or any other brand that is all natural and fragrance-free
  
  
• Nature Clean, Lifetree, Seventh Generation, or Ecover dishwashing liquids (HFS)
  
  
• Nature Clean or Ecover automatic dishwashing detergent (or any that do not contain chlorine or fragrance)
  
  
• Tip: To get stuck-on food off a pot/pan, just sprinkle salt and cool water in it and let it sit a while, then wipe clean!

MISCELLANEOUS TIP: Plant mint around the house to keep mosquitos away. Rub some mint leaves on you to keep them from biting you.

**The Environmental Illness Resource website (www.ei-resource.org) provides information and community resources for people suffering from CFS, Chemical Sensitivity and other chronic and disabling conditions.