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MCS
& Less Toxic Living |
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Common
Misconceptions about MCS
(Courtesy
of Dr. Ann McCampbell)
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Fiction |
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Fact |
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MCS
is not a recognized illness |
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MCS
is recognized as a potentially disabling condition by Social Security,
HUD, EPA, and the National Academy of Sciences. MCS is also recognized
by the U.S. Army, Department of Veterans' Affairs, and many other federal,
state, and local government entities. |
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MCS
is a small problem affecting only a few individuals. |
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MCS is a widespread, growing,
and serious public health problem that is reaching epidemic proportions.
It occurs in men and women of all ages, races, and socio-economic backgrounds
around the world. Data from a 1995 California Department of Health Services
study indicate that 16% of the study population are chemically sensitive
and 3.5% have MCS. That's approximately one million cases of MCS in
California alone.
* There is a
later study, to which you may wish to also refer: Prevalence of People
Reporting Sensitivities to Chemicals in a Population-based Survey Richard
Kreutzer, Raymond R. Neutra, and Nan Lashuay; Volume 150 Number 1 -
July 1, 1999. See link:
http://www.jhsph.edu/Publications/JEPI/jul199/kreutzer.htm
* Update courtesy of Barb Wilkie. Visit the ehn website:
http://www.ehnca.org
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People
only develop MCS after a doctor tells them they have it. |
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Most
people with MCS see 15 - 20 doctors because of their troubling chemical
sensitivities before finding someone who can diagnose and help them. |
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The
diagnosis of MCS begins a downward spiral that condemns the sufferer to
a life of misery and disability. |
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Being
diagnosed with MCS usually marks the beginning of recovery for people
with MCS and the reduction of their misery and disability. |
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There
are no abnormal lab tests in people with MCS. |
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Many
people with MCS have abnormal brain scans, EEGs, immune studies, and neuro-psychological
tests that indicate brain and/or immune system damage. |
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Symptoms
reported by people with MCS are not accompanied by any detectable changes
on physical examination. |
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MCS
patients may have a yellowish skin color, low body temperature, wheezing/asthma,
rashes, edema/swelling, aphasia, irregular or rapid heartbeat, poor coordination,
visual impairment, tremors, and seizures -- among other things. |
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Avoiding
chemical exposures condemns the patient to a life of misery, isolation,
and disability. |
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Avoiding
chemical exposures has been shown to be the most helpful measure in relieving
symptoms, stabilizing health, and helping patients regain their ability
to function. |
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People
with MCS are not entitled to protection under The Americans with Disabilities
Act (ADA). |
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The
U.S. Justice Department enforces the ADA and considers MCS a disability
on a case-by-case basis -- as with all other conditions. |
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It
is unreasonable to help people with MCS until all the medical facts are
known about this illness. |
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"Public
officials must acknowledge the existence of people with MCS and the sincerity
of their needs.... The scientific debate should not be used as an excuse
against taking proper action now." (Judy Myers, Director, New Mexico
Governor's Committee on the Concerns of the Handicapped, 1996.) |
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People
with MCS don't want to work. |
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So
many people with MCS are asking for work place accommodations that chemical
industry advocates are advising employers on how to deny these requests.(Lonny
Dolan, How to Marshal the Power of the ADA to Minimize Your Company's
Exposure Liability to Individuals Seeking Accommodations for 'Multiple
Chemical Sensitivity Disabilities', 1995.) |
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People
with MCS just want sympathy and get it. |
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People
with MCS are misunderstood, maligned, and rejected. Many lose their family
and friends. Bosses, co-workers, neighbors, and even doctors can be rude
and hostile. Public officials usually ignore them. Children and adults
make fun of them for wearing respirators. What sympathy? |
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The
chemical industry wants to learn the truth about MCS. |
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The chemical industry has
vowed to suppress the recognition of MCS in order to preserve profits.(The
Chemical Manufacturers Association, Environmental Illness Briefing Paper,
1990.)
To see the actual
paper, go to:
http://www.ehnca.org/books/cmaeibri.htm
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Doctors
who earn their living by testifying against people with MCS are scientifically
objective when discussing MCS. |
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There
is an obvious conflict of interest regarding MCS for those who profit
from anti-MCS testimony. |
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The
World Health Organization wants to change the name of MCS. |
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The
World Health Organization categorically denies that the conclusions and
recommendations of a 1996 industry-dominated MCS workshop represent the
decisions or stated policy of the WHO. |
Chemicals
found in Fabric Softeners
Health Risks
From Dryer Exhaust and Treated Fabrics
by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
by Julia Kendall
Compiled by Julia Kendall*, Co-Chair,
Citizens for a Toxic-Free Marin.
Reference: Lance Wallace, Environmental Protection Agency; Phone (703) 341-7509
Excerpts from "Health Hazard Information." References: Material Safety
Data Sheets (MSDS). Provided with permission by Barbara Wilkie wilworks@lanminds.com
of the Environmental Health Network (of California). [*NOTE: Julia Kendall died
July 12, 1997 from Multiple Chemical Sensitivities and Leukemia caused by pesticide
poisoning.]
Symptoms of exposure are taken from
industry-generated
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)
Principal chemicals found in Fabric
Softeners/Dryer Sheets are:
ALPHA-TERPINEOL
Causes CNS (central nervous system) disorders... "highly irritating to
mucous membranes" ..."Aspiration into the lungs can produce pneumonitis
or even fatal edema." Can also cause "excitement, ataxia (loss of
muscular coordination), hypothermia, CNS and respiratory depression, and headache."
"Prevent repeated or prolonged skin contact."
BENZYL ACETATE
Carconigenic (linked to pancreatic cancer). "From vapors: irritating to
eyes and respiratory passages, exciting cough." "In mice: hyperanemia
of the lungs." "Can be absorbed through the skin causing systemic
effects." "Do not flush to sewer."
BENZYL ALCOHOL
Causes CNS disorders ..."irritating to the upper respiratory tract"
..."headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drop in blood pressure, CNS
depression, and death in severe cases due to respiratory failure."
CAMPHOR
Causes CNS disorders. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. Symptoms: "local irritant
and CNS stimulant" ..."readily absorbed through body tissues"..."irritation
of eyes, nose, and throat" ..."dizziness, confusion, nausea, twitching
muscles and convulsions". "Avoid inhalation of vapors."
CHLOROFORM
Neurotoxic. Anesthetic. Carcinogenic. on EPA's Hazardous Waste list. "Avoid
contact with eyes, skin, clothing. Do not breathe vapors ..Inhalation of vapors
may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation of respiratory
tract and loss of consciousness." "Inhalation can be fatal."
"Chronic effects of overexposure may include kidney and/or liver damage."
"Medical conditions generally aggravated by exposure: kidney disorders,
liver disorders, heart disorders, skin
disorders." "Conditions to avoid: Heat..." Listed on California's
Proposition 65.
ETHYL ACETATE
Narcotic. On EPA's Hazardous Waste list. "...Irritating to the eyes and
respiratory tract" ..."may cause headache and narcosis (stupor)"
..."may cause anemia with leukocytosis and damage to liver and kidneys".
"Wash thoroughly after handling."
LIMONENE
Carcinogenic. "Prevent its contact with skin or eyes because it is an irritant
and sensitizer." "Always wash thoroughly after using this material
and before eating, drinking ...applying cosmetics. Do not
inhale limonene vapor."
LINALOOL
Narcotic. Causes CNS disorders. ..."respiratory disturbances" ..."Attracts
bees." "In animal tests: ataxic gait, reduced spontaneous \motor activity
and depression ...depressed heart activity ...development of respiratory disturbances
leading to death."
PENTANE
"Danger - Harmful if inhaled ...Avoid breathing vapor." "Inhalation
of vapors may cause headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, irritation
of respiratory tract and loss of consciousness. Repeated inhalation of vapors
may cause CNS depression. Contact can cause eye irritation. Prolonged exposure
may cause dermatitis (skin rash)."
Relevant Facts:
* CNS = Central Nervous System, your brain and spine.
* CNS disorders include: Alzheimer's Disease, Attention Deficit Disorder, Dementia,
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, Seizures,
Strokes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
* CNS exposure symptoms include: aphasia, blurred vision, disorientation, dizziness,
headaches, hunger, memory loss, numbness in face, pain in neck and spine.
Do Fabric Softeners Make You Sick?
Exposure can result from the outgassing
of vented dryers or from treated fabrics (e.g., clothes, sheets, towels) which
are in close proximity to you.
This article is copyrighted but reprints
for personal are allowed as long as you credit Julia Kendall as the source.
NOTE:Julia
suffered an untimely death due to leukemia, which she developed following Malathion
poisoning -- she was sprayed while in an open convertible in Southern California).
To see more of Julia's work, please visit EHN's page, "The Work of Julia
Kendall (1935 - 1997)" at http://users.lanminds.com/~wilworks/ehnhompg/kendall.htm
Distributed courtesy of:
The Healthy Housing Coalition
P.O. Box 1213
Cedar Crest, NM 87008
Email: hhcmail@webtv.net
Tel: (505) 281-6405