Multiple chemical sensitivity

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), also known as idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI), is an unrecognized and controversial diagnosis characterized by chronic symptoms attributed to exposure to low levels of commonly used chemicals.^[1]^[2] Symptoms are typically vague and non-specific. They may include fatigue, headaches, nausea, and dizziness.

Although these symptoms can be debilitating, MCS is not recognized as an organic, chemical-caused illness by the World Health Organization, American Medical Association, or any of several other professional medical organizations.^[3]^{[obsolete source]} Blinded clinical trials show that people with MCS react as often and as strongly to placebos as they do to chemical stimuli; the existence and severity of symptoms is seemingly related to the perception that a chemical stimulus is present.^[4]^{[obsolete source]}^[5]^{[obsolete source]}

The word chemical in the name is used loosely and includes natural substances (e.g., the aromas produced by pine trees or other fragrant plants).^[2] Commonly attributed substances include scented products (e.g. perfumes), pesticides, plastics, synthetic fabrics, smoke, petroleum products, and paint fumes.^[1]

^ ^a ^b Genuis SJ (May 2013). "Chemical sensitivity: pathophysiology or pathopsychology?". Clinical Therapeutics. 35 (5): 572–7. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2013.04.003. PMID 23642291.
^ ^a ^b Templeton DM, Schwenk M, Duffus JH (2016), "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)", IUPAC Glossary of Terms Used in Neurotoxicology, De Gruyter
^ Sears ME (2007), The Medical Perspective on Environmental Sensitivities (PDF), Note: The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.
^ Das-Munshi J, Rubin GJ, Wessely S (2006). "Multiple chemical sensitivities: A systematic review of provocation studies". Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 118: 1257–1264.
^ Bornschein S, Hausteiner C, Römmelt H, Nowak D, Förstl H, Zilker T (2008). "Double-blind placebo-controlled provocation study in patients with subjective Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and matched control subjects" (PDF). Clin Toxicol. 46 (5): 443–9. doi:10.1080/15563650701742438. PMID 18568800. S2CID 205901786. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-04-05. Retrieved 2018-04-20.

[Genuis2013-1] Genuis SJ (May 2013). "Chemical sensitivity: pathophysiology or pathopsychology?". Clinical Therapeutics. 35 (5): 572–7. doi:10.1016/j.clinthera.2013.04.003. PMID 23642291.

[:11-2] Templeton DM, Schwenk M, Duffus JH (2016), "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)", IUPAC Glossary of Terms Used in Neurotoxicology, De Gruyter

[Sears-3] Sears ME (2007), The Medical Perspective on Environmental Sensitivities (PDF), Note: The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Canadian Human Rights Commission.

[Das-Munshi_2006-4] Das-Munshi J, Rubin GJ, Wessely S (2006). "Multiple chemical sensitivities: A systematic review of provocation studies". Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 118: 1257–1264.

[Bornschein-5] Bornschein S, Hausteiner C, Römmelt H, Nowak D, Förstl H, Zilker T (2008). "Double-blind placebo-controlled provocation study in patients with subjective Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and matched control subjects" (PDF). Clin Toxicol. 46 (5): 443–9. doi:10.1080/15563650701742438. PMID 18568800. S2CID 205901786. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2020-04-05. Retrieved 2018-04-20.

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