Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

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Multiple Chemical Sensitivities -Grisanti Report

Wed, 25 May 2005 07:41:39 -0700

 

 

 

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

 

http://www.drgrisanti.com/mcs.htm

 

We have reached the age of modern living through chemistry or, as the

TV ads said in the late 1940's and early 1950's (with their lab coats

and test tubes), " Better living through Chemistry. " What has happened

in modern industrial society, however, is the misuse, overuse, and

inappropriate disposal of chemicals. We now know that many of these

chemicals can be toxic. Some harmful exposures are from ignorance,

some from oversight, some from complacency, and some are from criminal

negligence. The result on individuals, certain groups, (like the Gulf

War veterans), and entire communities is toxic injury. Toxic exposure,

whether acute or long-term, creates an overload on the individual

which can result in serious health problems, including multiple

chemical sensitivity, other illness referable to many organ systems,

and in some cases, cancer. Insidious breakdown in resistance

mechanisms takes place; individuals are often unaware of their

developing sensitivity.

 

What is multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)?

 

When the body is exposed to certain foreign chemicals, it may respond

by producing antibodies to defend it against the foreign invaders.

Virtually any substance can provide a reaction in some individuals.

 

When food we eat is grown in nutrient poor soil, watered with acid

rain, sprayed with pesticides and treated with dyes, is it any wonder

that chemical contaminants have been found in us? The following are

statistics obtained in 1981. Environment Canada reports that 1,000

new chemicals are produced annually. There are 34,000 chemicals on

the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Toxic Effects list. There

are 1,500 suspected carcinogens in the work place. In metro Toronto,

there are 25,000 industrial workplaces to be inspected by 25

occupational health and safety inspectors! There are 1,500 flavors

permitted to be added to food in Canada and more than 1,000 flavors

permitted to be added to cigarettes in Canada. There are 1,400

pesticides used in North America. There are 400 organic compounds

found in the Great Lakes ecosystem, 200 of which have been identified

in Lake Ontario water.

 

People do not realize it but you can very easily come in contact with

fungicides through the handling of tobacco, packing boxes, grocery

store items, wall paper paste, rubber, wool products and of course,

sprayed crops. One out of five people are sensitive to formaldehyde

which is a common factor in the onset of chemical hypersensitivity.

Major sources of it can be found in urea formaldehyde resins in

insulation, particleboard and plywood. The evaporate slowly and

remain active for months or even years.

 

You can also be affected through polishes and waxes, adhesives, rodent

and insect poison, detergent soaps, hair sprays and settings, nail

polish, photographic products, cosmetics, hospital mouthwashes and

antiperspirants, embalming fluids, contraceptive creams, air

deodorizers, U.S. maple syrup and milk. Another major source are

methods of treating fabrics that we wear such as stripping agents,

dyes, additives to feminine hygiene items with increase their

absorbency, facial tissue, dry cleaning.

 

Watch out for synthetic phenols which are chemicals that are derived

from coal, tar, petroleum. Major sources of phenols are household

cleaners like Pinesol, Lysol, mildew products, wash, shoe polish,

synthetic dish and clothes detergents. Phenols are used as

antiseptics. They are also preservatives found in some allergy

serums, nasal sprays, bronchial mists, cough syrups, eye drops, cold

capsules, decongestants, first aid ointments, aspirin and acne

medicine. Phenols are used in hemp fiber products like carpet

backing, area rugs, rope and twine. They are in cosmetics such as

mascara, cream rouges and shadows as well as most hair care products.

Aphenolic resin can be found in the lining of some canned goods, in

children's toys, refrigerator storage trays and thermal insulation.

Phenols are also found in matches, printers and fountain pen inks, in

most paints, photographic solutions, food additives, perfumes and

shaving creams. Not surprisingly, they are found in tobacco smoke.

Tobacco smoke has more than 200 chemicals in it. Natural occurring

phenols are found in foods we eat and in natural objects in the world

around us. For example, it is the toxic element in poison ivy and

poison oak and it is present in thyme oil (used in the production of

menthol)

 

Chemical allergies often manifest themselves as skin reactions.

Other symptoms include watery eyes, ringing in the ears, stuffy nose,

diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis,

fatigue, eczema, intestinal disorders, depression and headaches.

Some people have a reaction immediately after encountering a chemical

allergen whereas others may develop a rash 24 hours after coming in

contact with the irritant.

 

It is a disorder characterized by recurrent symptoms referable to

multiple organ systems, occurring in response to demonstrable exposure

to many chemically unrelated compounds at doses far below those

established in the general population to cause harmful effects.

 

1.

 

Sensitivity to chemicals. By sensitivity we mean symptoms or

signs as related to chemical exposures at levels tolerated by the

population at large.

 

2.

 

Sensitivity may be expressed as symptoms and signs in one or

more organ systems.

 

3.

 

Symptoms and signs wax and wane with exposure. It is not

necessary to identify a chemical exposure associated with the onset of

the condition. Preexisting or concurrent conditions, e.g. asthma,

arthritis, or depression, should not exclude patients from consideration.

 

We have come a long way with modern chemistry. Our wood floors are

being replaced, most often with carpets; old solid wood furniture is

replaced with modern laminates, usually thin wood veneer, laminated

over pressed wood. Among other things, this furniture exudes

formaldehyde. Plain fir or pine boards for building (sheathing) were

replaced with laminated plywood containing, at the very least, high

levels of formaldehyde and often toxic wood preservatives. Plaster

walls were replaced with drywall, which has its own contaminants --

and as dry wall mud became better, they added more chemicals. Wood

shingles were replaced with tar and gravel. Clothing was no longer

simply cotton, wool, nylon or rayon, as new chemistry brought forth

polyesters, non-wrinkle fabrics; and mattresses and drapes that were

treated with fire retardants, introducing even more chemicals. These

new fabrics are loaded with chemicals, including formaldehyde.

Formaldehyde is a known toxin and this adds to the total individual

toxic load.

 

At the same time, modern buildings were using large expanses of glass

and closed air systems. The oil embargo/energy crunch in the 70's

brought about more efficiently sealed buildings; windows which would

not open or were secured shut. Outside fresh air was cut-off or

reduced in the fresh air intakes to save energy; air was recirculated

with all its contents and contaminates. The systems would often be

shut off at 5:00 and workers remaining in the building would be

subjected to inhaling stale air. New carpeting, and laminated

furniture was everywhere in these closed environments.

 

Foods and water contain more chemicals than in the past, including

pesticides; multiple toxins are leaching into our water supply. Even

products such as toothpaste contain more chemicals each year.

Agricultural soils are being depleted of their nutrients and replaced

with chemical fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides (nutrient

depletion is one of the things that put people at risk for MCS). There

are approximately 2,000 new chemicals introduced each year which are

unregulated; their long term side effects are unknown. One such

chemical brought forth in 1941 has only now, in the 1990's, been given

health and safety guidelines. Lag time is enormous.

 

In the name of progress we saw the growth of herbicides, pesticides

and termiticides. You no longer had to put up with bugs in your yard,

spiders in the attic, ants in your pantries or termites and beetles in

your house, or even grasshoppers in your crops. Unfortunately, we

overdid it. We finally discovered that the organochlorines such as DDT

and Chlordane, were dangerous, cancerous and deadly, so along came the

organophosphates. We are now using these products to spray for most

anything from fleas to ants to termites. The so-called safe

alternative has now been documented to cause a multitude of problems

including very serious central nervous system problems. The long-term

effects from these organophosphates, in the cognitive realm include

impaired vigilance and reduced concentration, reduced information

processing, and psychomotor speed, memory deficits, visual memory

problems, speech problems, sequencing problems and problem solving

difficulties are also seen. Problems with motor steadiness, reaction

time and dexterity have also been documented.

 

After organophosphate exposure, electrocephalograms (EEG) are found to

be abnormal and have persisted for one year in studies of primates.

Psychological symptoms such as anxiety, psychomotor depression,

intellectual impairment, and unusual dreams, were observed in human

exposure. The organophosphate class, which is the most commonly used

pesticide and termiticide, can induce slow onset (pesticide induced)

neuropathies, including Guillian-Barre syndrome, so this is no small

matter. A high proportion of these patients exposed to these chemicals

develop multiple chemical sensitivity.

 

So what are we talking about? We are talking about the process of

environmentally triggered disease. Dr. William Rea, in his first

volume on chemical sensitivity [William J. Rea, M.D., Chemical

Sensitivities, Vol. I, (1992), wrote that " rapidly accelerated rate of

growth of modern technology has been accompanied by a proliferation of

a wide variety of new chemicals… 50% of global pollutants which enter

the atmosphere (isolated from natural products or synthesized) are

generated by man " . He pointed out that in 1987 the American industry

poured 22 billion pounds of toxic chemicals into the air, food and water.

 

In 1988 Dr. Rea was named the first professional Chairman of

Environmental Medicine at the Robens Institute of Industrial

Environmental Health and Safety at the University of Surrey in

Guilford, England. In the introduction to his first volume on chemical

sensitivity, he wrote " modern technology has given many conveniences

and ability to explore the outer limits of knowledge…allowed us to

travel to the moon,… this technology has led us to uncover secrets of

the Universe and has brought into focus the severity of environmental

pollution on earth; the Apollo astronauts emphasized the extent of

this pollution when viewing the earth from space, although they

initially called it the " blue planet " , these astronauts saw at closer

range pollution on all areas of the earth, which led them to state

that " man has fouled his nest and this must be corrected. "

 

The point, according to Dr. Rea, is that man's well-being is a

function of his environment; living in polluted surroundings adversely

affects health. He also pointed out that as the number of dangerous

environmental pollutants continues to multiply so do reports of

numbers of people sensitive to these contaminants.

 

Cindy Duehring [in Environmental Access Research Network in an article

called " Screening for Nervous System Damage From Chemical Exposure " ]

wrote that it was a most dangerous illusion that our society has

brought forth, in the false belief, that the chemical ingredients in

our everyday home and office consumer products, from cosmetics and

perfumes to cleaners and carpets, have been tested for health effects

to protect the public. Most of the chemicals have never tested and are

not under any regulation. There are three new chemical compounds

introduced in the United States every day.

 

Pre-marketing testing of compounds as potential neurotoxicants have

serious deficiencies. Many of these neurotoxic compounds came into use

before the passage of the Toxic Substance Control Act in 1976 and

remain untested and are still not required to be tested.

 

The problem is compounded by disposal of chemicals. Everyday, several

millions of gallons of chemicals are introduced into Lake Erie which

is the source of drinking and bathing water for most cities from

Cleveland, Ohio to Buffalo, NY (Rea).

 

Both organic and inorganic pollutants are a problem. Dr. Rea adds that

" inorganic pollutants include ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide,

sulfur dioxides, heavy metals and other metals. Organic pollutants

include pesticides, formaldehydes, solvents such as toluene and

xylene, drugs, terpenes, cleaning chemicals, cigarette smoke,

combustible products, consumer products (e.g. clothing, building

materials, hygiene products, etcetera) and biological compounds (mold

toxins). The most toxic organic pollutants are those classified as

halogenated aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons " . He also adds that

according to the EPA more than 4 million chemical compounds are

currently recognized.

 

So what causes chemical sensitivity? According to Dr. William Rea, it

can arise in several ways. Individuals who survive exposures may have

lowered resistance to disease as a result of the condition of their

nutrient pool brought on by exposure, and this can develop into

symptoms of ill health. Upon later exposure, they may experience

enhanced symptoms. Spreading can occur, which means that they either

react to more chemicals or more organ systems are involved.

 

He discusses three major instances that have occurred in the 20th

century, that have graphically illustrated that chemical sensitivity

may be caused by a significant, acute exposure to toxic substances: in

World War I when the troops were exposed to Mustard Gas with an

aftermath and development of chemical sensitivity; Agent Orange

syndrome where veterans had problems which persisted for years after

their initial contact; and the incident of cyanate in Bhopal, India,

which left an estimated 86,000 people injured, and " Several months

later, many remained afflicted with recurrent symptoms that are today

believed to be manifestations of chemical sensitivity. " He also added

that chemical sensitivity can occur subsequent to bacterial, viral or

parasitic infection; however, he said that only 1% of his Dallas

patient population have traced the origin of their illnesses to such

an event. He has evaluated 20,000 people through the Environment

Health Center in Dallas which he founded.

 

The manifestations of chemical sensitivity are multiple in nature.

They can effect many organ systems, and which systems are affected

most may well depend on the biological weakness of a particular

system, or previous trauma. Enzyme pathways are affected. Liver

detoxification pathways become overloaded. Mucosa of the body change.

Blood brain barriers are affected (Rea)

 

Dr. Rea wrote that " at their onset, symptoms of chemical sensitivity

are almost always reversible. " This is a very positive statement;

however, he added that when organ involvement increases, responses are

more difficult to decipher and reverse. He adds that although these

various illnesses involve multiple systems and organs, only one

end-organ may ultimately be damaged as a result of repeated insults,

and this can result in end-organ failure and extreme fixed named

illnesses. He cites the example of a mechanic constantly exposed to

car exhaust who could develop general symptoms such as aches and

pains, malaise, headaches and fatigue. These symptoms might then

continue for several months until finally renal failure or some other

specific end-organ disease develops. He wrote that the factors that

are influencing the onset of chemical sensitivity are total body load,

the nutritional state, and bioaccumulation of toxic substances, as

well as other factors.

 

Claudia Miller points out that many of the patients often attribute

the onset of their illness to specific exposures (Vol. 10) such as

repeated exposures to solvents, chemical, pesticides in sick

buildings, or combustion products. Patients report more problems and

greater difficulties indoors where air fresheners, perfumes, and

cleaners are used and where there are such things as particle board

and carpets which outgas. The outgassing releases VOC compounds. These

patients are often funneled off to psychiatrists and psychologists by

physicians who are not familiar with MCS. " From the patient's

perspective, they have lost their health, their livelihood, their

friends and sometimes even family. Individuals with professional

careers are likely to view their cognitive difficulties as most

disabling, " Dr. Miller added. They are often mislabeled as malingerers

or given a psychiatric diagnosis.

 

Dr. Miller notes that chemical sensitivity has been reported among

distinct demographic groups: industrial workers, sick building

occupants, contaminated communities and individuals. A fifth group,

Persian Gulf War veterans, is also mentioned. She says. " It is

especially easy to overlook environmental causes if complaints are

subjective and nonspecific, such as headache, fatigue, depression or

difficulty concentrating.

 

MCS patients have poor balance and/or clumsiness, a rare presenting

complaint of depression. Studies of MCS patients point to the central

nervous system as a major site of involvement.

 

In general patients with MCS suffer from a variety of problems that

include concentration and memory problems, irritability, anxiety and

depression, spatial confusion, insomnia, headaches, nausea,

palpitations, chest pain, muscle spasms and aches, joint aches,

difficulty calculating, fatigue, and confusion. Many have breathing

problems, asthma, and carry inhalers or oxygen.

 

So what is multiple chemical sensitivity? It is a multi-system

disorder usually brought on by toxic exposures which are acute, or

low-level long-term exposure such as in sick building, which increases

a person's total toxic load, depletes nutrient stores, and causes

problems in many systems and organs in the body. Upon re-exposure, the

individual becomes increasingly sensitized, and often there is a

spreading effect where they are bothered by many more chemicals (It

often spread to food, medications, and molds), and many more systems

in the body are involved. It almost always seems to affect the central

nervous system, and the results that I am primarily interested in are

the effects that it has on memory, concentration and learning. These

are all dramatically impaired when a person is exposed. This is very

important in terms of accommodation in a classroom or work situation.

If exposed, a person may not be able to process what is said, or store

the information processed in a lecture, for example. A child may not

be able to learn.

 

It may be possible for them to sit in the corner of a classroom,

wearing a charcoal filter mask, near an open door. It may be useful to

have whole room filters. It may be possible to move the class. Certain

classes are very difficult, such as chemistry classes, because a

charcoal filter cannot get rid of all the chemicals. These

persons/patients seem to take more time to do things than other people

do; and giving them more time on examinations would be one kind of

accommodation. Letting them sit as far away from other people as

possible, near open windows, is also helpful. Videotaping a class may

be an option.

 

Two young men (twins), now residing in Arizona, were having problems

in high school, were very chemically sensitive, and were having

trouble in their high school classes and could not pass. They were

allowed to take the GED examination outdoors and were in the 99th

percentile when tested in a clean environment.

 

So that is what MCS is. What it is not, is a psychiatric disorder,

although a chronic illness of any kind causes anxiety and depression.

Its manifestations are complex and multiple. We are really talking

about toxic injury; MCS is just the tip of the iceburg.

 

© 2003 Ronald J. Grisanti D.C., D.A.B.C.O

NOTICE: This information is provided for educational purposes. Any

medical procedures, dietary changes, or nutritional supplements

discussed herein should only be undertaken on the advice of a

qualified physician.

 

Ronald J. Grisanti, D.C., D.A.B.C.O

The Grisanti Center for Integrative Medicine

4200 East North Street, Suite 14 • Greenville, SC 29615

(864) 292-0226 • FAX: (864) 268-7022

 

 

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[Guest guest]

MCS is indeed a very debilitating illness. My daughter suffered from

it a few years ago. Though many organs and organ systems are

affected, I believe it starts with the liver. The liver becomes toxic

and is unable to clear toxins from the body, leading to allergy and

sensitivity reactions through out.

 

At one point my daughter was allergic to every pollen and every mold

in Tucson and was down to being able to eat only 10 foods, as she was

developing more and more allergies almost daily.

 

The article does not say much about treatment of MCS. I know Dr. Rea

trained a doctor in the Phoenix area that my daughter went to, and I

know that the general idea in the medical community is to avoid

exposures and to use a lot of detoxing supplements to help control and

prevent reactions. I found that going through the treatments the MD

offered did help a little for short periods of time. But whenever she

had another exposure it would send her tumbling right back down the

hill. It is virtually impossible to avoid exposures.

 

A few years ago I found alternative help for my daughter. I read a

testimonial at Dr. Doris Rapp's site about a discipline called Total

Body Modification. Dr. Rapp had talked about a patient who she had

trouble stabilizing, who wound up seeing a TBM doctor, who had cleared

the allergy problems. She said she then went to see that doctor and

watch what he did, then sent him 25 patients who were " 85% better "

saying that she would quit her practice and learn to do what he did if

he could get them 95% better. He did. She did. And that made me

feel I had to check into that network.

 

I wound up taking my daughter to see a TBM/Natural Healing doctor in

both networks (NH grew out of TBM and is more powerful with its

abilities). That completely changed our lives forever. My daughter

went from fear of what and when the next exposure would be, unsure of

her future, if she was going to be able to keep working, unsure if she

would be able to get disability, feeling like she could die at any

time, to living a normal, healthy life, overnight.

 

The disciplines I found use reflex muscle testing and acupressure-type

tapping (similar to applied kinesiology, but much faster) to locate

and clear imbalances within the body, which get the body turned back

on and functioning properly. It's been nearly three years since my

daughter was ill with the MCS and she is living a normal life now.

 

Kat