Danish report explores Multiple Chemical Sensitivity policy in 11 European countries

Jun 302010

Here is the English translation of a Danish report on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity policy in 11 European countries.

By contributor Harry Clark, President, MCS Society of Australia, Inc.

Cover of Danish report translated by Harry Clark, et al.

The Danish Health Ministry recently released a report about measures being taken by 11 European countries to address Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Please find attached an English translation of the document, entitled Measures Taken by European Countries for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, which I have translated with the kind assistance of several people. I extend my thanks to Sandra, Monika, Mervi, Martine and Charlotte for their invaluable assistance with translations, corrections, proofing and suggestions. I also wish to thank Martine who brought the Danish report to my attention.

Please check Eva Caballe’s blog, No Fun, and Mariajo Moya’s blog, Mi Estrella de Mar, for subsequent Spanish translations.

SUMMARY OF REPORT

In many countries around the world, there are fascinating and important developments occurring in the realm of MCS. Yet, much of this knowledge is unintentionally restrained behind veils of the different languages used. These veils that partition MCS knowledge and restrict its flow need to be actively pushed aside so that we can all freely share in the full and developing body of MCS materials. Translations, like the one in English presented here of the Danish Health Ministry’s report, are of great importance because they enable MCS knowledge to spread further afield, which in turn empowers all of us as we engage in the challenge of improving the lives of people who have MCS.

The Danish paper represents an important snapshot of current MCS thinking and activity in Denmark and 11 other European governments. It reports on a pioneering conversation between governments. It is not full of news or attitudes that are the absolute best for those of us with MCS, but there are plenty of threads of opportunity and hope. I suggest this report reflects conversations on MCS that are occurring within some European countries and also in some offices of the European Parliament. Clearly those who wish to dismiss MCS have lost some influence, otherwise this Danish report would not exist.

To briefly summarize the Danish report:

Only two countries, Germany and Austria, recognize MCS as a physical disease on their ICD disease registers. In Germany this means a sick leave note and perhaps sick pay may be available, but confusingly they say that MCS is not explicitly recognized as a disease in Germany and that it is not recognised as an occupational disease there. To add to the confusion, in Austria a person disabled by MCS will likely be diagnosed as having a mental disorder in order for them to have the opportunity to gain a pension.

Three countries– Finland, Sweden and Germany– recommend perfume and strong detergents be avoided in the public sphere; including for example hospitals, kindergartens, schools and after school care.

Six countries– Finland, Luxemburg, Nederland, Sweden, Germany and Austria– follow the European Union Directive on labelling for cosmetics. Germany particularly mentioned that sensitising agents need to be listed on a products label. Britain labels according to other EU environmental legislation. Denmark says it labels all cosmetic products with declarations of their contents such that people with allergies can avoid products they might react to, but does not say what law or directive it follows.

France, while not identifying MCS as a special strand of study, is setting up a number of systems and studies to obtain information on Electromagnetic Sensitivities and to collect records of people who suffer symptoms that appear to be allergy related but are not proven to be allergies. They are looking at the biochemical status of 20,000 children in a longitudinal study. Allergies and their prevention is a specific focus of the Environment and Health Plan for 2009-2010.

The Västra Götalands region of Sweden put in place a region-wide Fragrance-Free Hospital policy in 2008 that covers 17 hospitals. Also, the Swedish EPA says that sustainable development requires the reduction of the inconvenience brought about by chemicals to people who are already hypersensitive. However they have suggested no measures to achieve this.

The Federal Agency for the Environment in Germany generally recommends that those with MCS should not be socially excluded.

Luxembourg’s environment ministry has a campaign to promote the use of organic laundry detergent and cleaning products and warns against adding fragrances that don’t aid the cleaning.

Harry Clark

President
MCS Society of Australia, Inc.
Email: MCS-Society-of-Australia@bigpond.net.au

Founder
MCS News Australia