Free Materials Available for May 2010 Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Awareness Month
Each May, the nation celebrates Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) Awareness and Education Month.
MCS is a disability associated with chemical injury. It substantially limits functional capacity in everyday living. A myriad of common items generally recognized as safe may cause declining function in the chemically injured person. These items include fragrances found in perfumes, lotions, soaps, and laundry products as well as cleaners, pesticides, diesel, news print, new carpets, and many other items encountered in day to day living.
A simple and referenced MCS Fact sheet (http://mcs-america.org/mcsfactsheet.pdf) reveals:
MCS is Major Public Health Concern
-At least 45 million people in the
-About 3 million Americans are diagnosed with MCS.
-MCS affects people of all ages, economic status, race, and both genders.
-Chemicals that people with MCS react to are toxic and affect everyone to some extent.
Medical Findings
-Brain scans show reduced blood flow to the brain when people with MCS are under chemical
exposure.
-Physical variances identified in MCS include brain inflammation, oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, cardiac and airway disease, and auto-immune disorders.
-Mast cell activation and disorders of porphyrin metabolism have been linked to MCS.
-Genetic variations relating to detoxification processes have been linked to MCS.
The Cost of Environmental Illnesses
-Annual expenditures for healthcare and lost productivity due to MCS is estimated at $71.8 billion dollars per year.
Environmental Factors
-Indoor and outdoor environmental exposures can trigger reactions: perfumes and fragrances, cleaning solutions, scented laundry products, pesticides, herbicides, paint and building materials, gasoline and petroleum based products, artificial flavors, colors, and preservatives.
MCS Can be Controlled
-With a plan that includes chemical avoidance and control of environmental triggers, many people with MCS can lead normal, healthy, and active lives.
With May 2010 fast approaching, individuals and organizations have begun planning for the annual awareness and education month. MCS America has assembled and offers a free Event Planning Kit which may be downloaded from http://mcs-america.org/MCSAwarenessMonthEventPlanningKit2010.pdf.
The kit contains many ideas for ways to promote MCS awareness during the month of May 2010, including:
-Governor Proclamations
-School Programs
-Health Providers
-Library Displays
-State Capitol Events
-Press Releases
-Media Coverage
-A Handy MCS Fact Sheet
-Real Life Examples of Prior Events
MCS America provides printable awareness materials free of charge:
Brochures http://www.mcs-america.org/index_files/MCSBrochuresPostersSigns.htm
Newsletter http://www.mcs-america.org/index_files/newsletterarchives.htm
Activist Materials http://www.mcs-america.org/index_files/ReadytoGoMCSActivist.htm
Proclamations Library http://www.mcs-america.org/index_files/proclamations.htm
There are also many patient resources available free of charge:
Dentist List http://mcs-america.org/dentistlist.pdf
Doctor List http://mcs-america.org/doctorlist.pdf
Support Forums http://www.mcs-america.org/index_files/Forums.htm
Tips for Living with MCS http://www.mcs-america.org/index_files/TipsforLivingwithEI.htm
Housing Resources http://mcs-america.org/ReferencesandResources.htm
Referrals http://www.mcs-america.org/index_files/mcssupportandreferrals.htm
News Feeds http://www.mcs-america.org/index_files/newsarchive.htm
Lourdes Salvador of MCS America said, "People with MCS need more qualified medical care, specialized housing, increased access to public facilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and greater support from family and friends. Doctors desperately need basic training in toxicology and environmental medicine. And, scientists need more funding for additional research into the etiology and treatment of MCS."
"This is truly a crisis situation," said
MCS America recommends:
-Learn all you can,
-Share what you learn,
-Be especially careful and protective of children who are more vulnerable to these chemical exposures, and
-Remember MCS is an acquired illness, so everyone is at risk.
There are safe alternatives to the prolific chemicals in use all around us!
For additional information e-mail MCS America, admin@mcs-america.org or visit www.mcs-america.org.
To request a free subscription to the MCS America News, send an e-mail to subscriptions@mcs-america.org.
