CANARY SANCTUARIES (at the intersection of religion and environmental illness)

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Please post, share and distribute) DATE: Wednesday, May 3, 2011 CONTACT: Susan E, susanresearcher@yahoo(dot)com [Note: take out "(dot)" and replace with period.] RE: CREATING FRAGRANCE-FREE AND CHEMICALLY SAFE WORSHIP SANCTUARIES At the beginning of the 2011 Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Awareness Month (MCS Awareness Month), Canary Sanctuaries is announcing its website which is a Fragrance-Free Worship Registry and related information clearing house at: http://www.canarysanctuaries.org   The site is ecumenical and interfaith, and creates opportunities for congregations to register their house of worship as "fragrance-free." It is also a place to find out more information about how to become a place where people with chemical injuries and olfactory and respiratory conditions can safely worship without the risks of allergic or pulmonary reactions, or cognitive and physiological distress. Canaries, for those of you who are unfamiliar, is a term that chemically-injured people have recently applied to themselves, because they have become sensitive to many chemicals and feel like human sentinels. The name comes from the proverbial "canaries in the coal mines" (taken into the mines by miners because they would stop chirping and/or die in the presence of toxic gases.) Multiple chemical sensitivity, environmental illness, toxic encephathalopathy and chemical injury are just a few names for this increasing epidemic which leads to job loss, homelessness and serious lifelong chronic illness.  It affects people regardless of gender, race, creed or economic status.  It is caused by exposure to chemicals including, but not limited to, pesticides, mercury, lead, mold and carbon monoxide.  In the US alone, it is estimated that more than 48 million men, women and children suffer adverse health reactions to everyday chemicals as a result of developing MCS, including common triggers like perfumes, colognes, "air fresheners," and fabric softeners, most of which have known neurotoxins in their  ingredients. Canary Sanctuaries is joining MCS America and other organizations in North America and around the globe to raise awareness during the month of May (MCS Awareness Month).  Please visit our website at http://www.canarysanctuaries.org to check out what You can do to make your house of worship more accessible to those with multiple chemical sensitivity. .