President-Elect Obama is hard at work getting this country back on track, but he's counting on input from all of us. And he needs to hear about MCS issues, especially with the recent announcement that Gulf War Syndrome is real and linked to vaccines and pesticides. We need a similar government panel to examine and report on MCS.
I just wrote in to share my vision for where President-Elect Obama should lead the country in regards to MCS. Specifically,
- Funding is needed for programs that educate both health care professionals and the general public about MCS.
- A committee is also needed to help coordinate health agency research, promote the exchange of information, hold federal agencies accountable, ensure workplace accommodations, and give advocates a voice in policy decisions.
- More research of integrity is needed as it offers the greatest prospect of returning people with MCS to healthy, productive lives.
I thought you might want to write in too. Here is the link to change.gov where you can write via email. http://www.change.gov/yourvision
Here is the full letter I wrote. Feel free to use any or all of it if it if you desire. You can copy the text below or download it as a Word document for editing at: http://mcs-america.org/obama.doc
Dear President-Elect Obama,
As you acknowledge the failed leadership of the past eight years, which you confirm has impacted the EPA, and begin to work toward your campaign promise to hold the principle of scientific integrity as an absolute, I would like to bring your awareness to Americans already injured, a concern that requires immediate attention.
Sensitivity to environmental pollution and chemicals has been researched by scientists for 60 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recognized chemical sensitivity as one symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), yet diagnostic tests and effective medical treatments have yet to be discovered. For afflicted Americans, proper diagnosis through confirmatory diagnostic testing would mean better care, treatment, and outcome, all of which would improve many lives and prevent additional disability.
Here are a few documented and published facts about multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS):
Here is the full letter I wrote. Feel free to use any or all of it if it if you desire. You can copy the text below or download it as a Word document for editing at: http://mcs-america.org/obama.doc
Dear President-Elect Obama,
As you acknowledge the failed leadership of the past eight years, which you confirm has impacted the EPA, and begin to work toward your campaign promise to hold the principle of scientific integrity as an absolute, I would like to bring your awareness to Americans already injured, a concern that requires immediate attention.
Sensitivity to environmental pollution and chemicals has been researched by scientists for 60 years. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recognized chemical sensitivity as one symptom of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), yet diagnostic tests and effective medical treatments have yet to be discovered. For afflicted Americans, proper diagnosis through confirmatory diagnostic testing would mean better care, treatment, and outcome, all of which would improve many lives and prevent additional disability.
Here are a few documented and published facts about multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS):
- Several studies published between 1993 and 2005 suggest that at least 45 million men, women, and children in the US report various chemical sensitivities. Seventy percent of these people have not been diagnosed properly by a health care provider.
- Brain scans show reduced blood flow to the brain of MCS subjects when under chemical exposure.
Numerous physical abnormalities have been identified in MCS subjects, including brain inflammation, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, cardiac and airway disease, auto-immune disorders, and many others. - Mast cell activation and disorders of porphyrin metabolism have been linked to MCS.
- Genetic differences relating to detoxification processes are present more often in those with MCS than those without.
Studies have shown that avoiding inciting chemicals and proper environmental control is the most efficacious treatment known to date. Ninety-five percent of patients report improvement upon practicing avoidance and 94% report improvement upon moving to a chemical free living space. - *Citations are available at: http://mcs-america.org/MCSPositionStatement.htm.
MCS is already formally recognized by the governments of Germany, Canada, and Denmark. Last year, more than one half of state governors proclaimed the month of May as MCS and/or Toxic Injury Awareness Month. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Health Observance Calendar lists May as MCS Awareness Month. But this is not enough for American's who have already suffered injury as a result of poorly regulated chemicals and lack of scientific integrity.
- Funding is needed for programs that educate both health care professionals and the general public about MCS.
- A committee is also needed to help coordinate health agency research, promote the exchange of information, hold federal agencies accountable, ensure workplace accommodations, and give advocates a voice in policy decisions.
- More research of integrity is needed as it offers the greatest prospect of returning people with MCS to healthy, productive lives.
I hope I can count on your help in this important matter and look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Sincerely,
Lourdes Salavador
