What is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a health problem where sensitive people– some studies show up to 30% of the general population– react unfavorably to very low levels of synthetic chemicals in the environment from things like pesticides, cigarette smoke, paint fumes, wood preservatives, photocopier fumes, perfumes and epoxy. Symptoms vary from fleeting to severe and might include rapid heart rate, shortness of breath, fatigue, flushing, dizziness, nausea, coughing, or difficulty concentrating (reference).

People with MCS are often call “canaries.” The name comes from an old practice of miners who took canaries with them into the mines; if the canary died from toxic air in the shaft, the miners had time to escape with their lives. People with chemical sensitivities are the canaries of the modern world.

But the truth is, it’s not just chemically sensitive people who are being affected by a toxic environment. The general public is being exposed to tens of thousands of chemicals that didn’t even exist until a few decades ago. Many of these chemicals, some found in everyday household products like cleansers and cosmetics, are known to be or are suspected of causing cancer, reproductive problems, developmental disabilities, and heart disease (reference).

People are raising a stink about toxic household cleansers, clothing and fabrics, electronics, cosmetics and personal care items, perfumes and fragrances, deodorizers, cleansers and soaps. The public is making smarter choices like non-toxic paints and building materials, organic gardens and foods, natural cleansers and fabrics, and electronics free from flame retardant. Until government and industry catch up with these progressive trends, the best course of action is to limit exposure and lead the healthiest life possible.

Here’s a short documentary about a woman coping with multiple chemical sensitivity. The film was made by students at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Visit The Canary Report blog to learn more and add your comments.

Illustration: Girl with Canary Mask credit.