Thursday, August 30, 2007

MCS America News - September 2007 Issue

MCS America News
Volume 2 Issue 9
September 2007


Full PDF:
http://www.mcs-america.org/September2007.pdf


Article Previews on the Web wtih Links to Individual Articles: 
http://mcs-america.org/index_files/MCSAnewsletterSeptember2007.htm


What You Should Know About Mold
Molds are fungi that grow best in damp, humid, warm conditions and reproduce and spread by making tiny spores that are not visible to the naked eye and float through the air indoors and outdoors. It is estimated that there are tens of thousands, to even perhaps three hundred thousand or more species.

Community Spotlight:  Marti F. Wolfe, PhD
Text:     http://thetruthaboutmcs.blogspot.com/2007/08/community-spotlight-interview-with.html
Tell us a little about yourself and your background.
 
My hometown is San Jose, California; I lived there most of my life until I ran away to graduate school.  I've always been a science nerd.  I had my first chemistry lesson when I was four and my brother was six.  My mother used stuff in the kitchen, water and alcohol, baking soda and vinegar, and taught us to write a balanced chemical equation.  I started college as chemistry major, but it didn't take long for me to be seduced by biology – and this is our time in the sun, no question about it – biologists rule!

Activists Corner:  Fabric Softeners

Dear XXX,
 
I am concerned about fabric softener product emissions harming the children and pets in our neighborhood.  Have you noticed how many of the children have asthma?  I am wondering if you are aware of that scientific studies have found dangerous chemicals in common fabric softeners?

Vehicle Emissions Damage DNA
We've all heard news reports questioning the safety of vehicular traffic.  We've all heard implications that runners and those with respiratory problems are at high risk from exposure to vehicle exhaust fumes.  However, the affects be worse than fumes and emission induced asthma.  Particles from vehicle emissions may actually cause oxidative stress-induced DNA damage.  Worse, the damage may not be easily remedied.

Chemicals Injure the Central Nervous System
Our world is full of neurotoxicants, many of which we are not aware of.  A neurotoxicant is a chemical substance that can cause adverse effects on the nervous system, such as confusion, fatigue, irritability, and behavioral changes.  Central nervous system toxicity may also lead to degenerative diseases of the brain, such toxic encephalopathy. 

Diagnosing EMF Sensitivity
Bruce Hocking, a specialist in occupational medicine, presented a seminar entitled EMF Hypersensitivity for the World Health Organization.  In his presentation, he defines and discusses diagnosing electromagnetic field (EMF) sensitivity.  He then discusses four case studies, two of whom he completes challenge tests and confirms a diagnosis of EMF sensitivity and two of whom he did not complete a challenge test on, as he decided those two patients did not have EMF sensitivity, but rather a psychiatric disorder based on their prior case histories of such.

Exercise Worsens Chronic Fatigue
Most people with chronic illnesses, such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fibromyalgia (FM), and multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), have been offered well meaning advice, such as joining a club, getting some exercise, and getting out more.  These infuriating, but well meaning, suggestions often leave the chronically ill individual feeling misunderstood.  After all, would it be appropriate to tell an paraplegic to have fun by going dancing?  Of course not! 

Could It Be Your Clothes?
There are many dangerous things in the world.  But did you ever think that your fabric softener might be one of them?  Products we use to wash our clothing leave behind residues that we wear on our skin constantly  They should be safe.  But are they?  Is that pesky neighbor of yours who claims your clothes dryer emissions make her ill onto something?  Science shows she is!

Mercury High in New Yorkers
A new report has just been released three years after the fact. The New York City Health Department has just given the results of the city's Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 2004. Higher than expected blood mercury levels have been reported, yet the science is not explained to us. There was a failure to notify the public that blood mercury levels may not be reliable measures of the complexity of the situation.

MCS In the Creative Community
fall is fast upon us, preparations for the new school year
parents help get everything ready for their children they hold so dear

some will head off to school, and not have an ounce of fear
while others only grudgingly go, and shed many a tear


Sal's Place
It is disheartening when a researcher publishes a review which examines or attempts to prove a viewpoint about a condition that is contrary to literature at large.  Das-Munshi J, Rubin GJ, and Wessely S (2007) of Kings College London, Institute of Psychiatry did just that in Multiple chemical sensitivities: review.  Das-Munshi's review looked mainly at psychological studies on MCS to support her viewpoint.  She completely failed to consider the biological studies in literature, which outweigh psychological studies approximately 2:1.  Her review was therefore incomplete, misleading, and inaccurate.

Inside MCSA
It was another busy month at MCSA with lots of new ideas.  One of the smaller things we did was to create a new bumper sticker based on a suggestion from a member.  It's a "little" reminder of perfume toxicity.
 
Bumper Stickers available for $4.50 at: 
http://www.cafepress.com/mcsamerica.124654801

Community News
Radio Show:  Pushing Limits Friday, August 17th, 2007
http://kpfa.org/archives/index.php?arch=21806
Pushing Limits presents a program on the pathology and politics of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), hosted by Jackie Barshak, an art historian living with MCS.
Guests: Dr. Grace Ziem, Albert Donnay,Cindi Norwitz, Dr. Ann McCampbell

Classifieds
Text:     N/A

Certified Mold Strategies, Ltd.
419-433-2383 Ohio    888-568-2383 Toll Free
419-433-9555 Fax
www.certifiedmoldstrategies.com
Leader in the Home Inspection and IAQ Industry 
"Strategies for Easier Breathing"

Book Sale
Text:     N/A
While they last! Brand new and off-gassed copies of
Defining Chemical Sensitivity
by Bonnye L. Matthews. valued at $39.95 each
will be sold as part of our MCS Awareness month fundraiser and celebration!

Featured Research Studies
Not in the mind but in the cell: increased production of cyclo-oxygenase-2 and inducible NO synthase in chronic fatigue syndrome.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities America
http://www.mcs-america.org

admin@mcs-america.org

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