MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY AWARENESS & EDUCATION MONTH MAY 2011

P.O. Box 29290, Parma, OH 44129 Phone (440) 845-1888

MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY AWARENESS & EDUCATION MONTH

MAY 2011

IT'S REAL

From 5 to 15% of the U.S. Population is affected by chemical sensitization in varying degrees. (Miller & Ashford 2004; Caress & Steinemann, 2003; Neutra, Kreutzer & Lashuay, 1999; Vorhees, 1999; Meggs, Dunn, Bloch, Goodman & Davidoff, 1966).

"1999 consensus criteria for the definition of (MCS) were first identified in a 1989 multidisciplinary survey

of 89 clinicians and researchers with extensive experience in MCS. A decade later, their top 5 consensus criteria (i.e., defining MCS as [1] a chronic condition [2] with symptoms that recur reproducibly [3] in response to low levels of exposure [4] to multiple unrelated chemicals and [5] improve or resolve when incitants are removed) are still unrefuted in published literature.

Government studies in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada that revealed 2-4 times as many cases of chemical sensitivity among Gulf War veterans than undeployed controls. In addition, state health department surveys of civilians in New Mexico and California showed that 2-6%, respectively, already had been diagnosed with MCS and that 16% of the civilians reported an "unusual sensitivity" to common everyday chemicals." Arch Environ Health. 1999 May-Jun;54(3):147-9.

IT'S DEBILITATING

Many toxic substances to which we are unwittingly exposed daily may cause debilitating conditions including cancer, asthma, and MCS as well as impair functional ability and quality of life. Chemical exposures can also deplete your nutrients and/or create imbalances.

THERE'S HOPE!

Education is power. Learn how chemicals, molds, and fragrances can be harmful to you and your health as well as those with MCS. Protect yourself and your family as well as those in your community who are disabled with this complex condition.

LEARN MORE

See our website: www.ohionetwork.org

Check out http://www.neefusa.org/health/pesticides/resources.htm

Gulf War, 911, & Katrina Film documentaries - www.alisonjohnsonmcs.com

Visit your local library for related books and films. MCS displays in May.

BE AWARE

It's hidden in perfume, in the cleaners and the sprays -

Bleach, paint, and so much more - and we can't get away.

It's poison! Noxious! Toxic! To many folks you see,

When affected by those chemicals, slowly dying by degrees.

It's real, stop and think – In a big kind of way.

The people of tomorrow need the air clean today.

Jeff Moyer 1997