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Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) 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]}

^ 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.
^ Templeton DM, Schwenk M, Duffus JH (2016), "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)", IUPAC Glossary of Terms Used in Neurotoxicology, De Gruyter, doi:10.1515/pac-2015-0103, multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) -environmental illness -idiopathic environmental intolerance -Intolerance condition attributed to extreme sensitivity of individuals to various environmental chemicals, found in air, food, water, building materials, or fabrics. Note 1: This syndrome is characterized by the patient's belief that his or her symptoms are caused by very low-level exposure to environmental chemicals. The term "chemical" is used to refer broadly to many natural and man-made substances, some of which have several chemical constituents. Note 2: ...
^ 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 (6): 1257–1264. doi:10.1016/j.jaci.2006.07.046. PMID 17137865.
^ 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.