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We know that people can react very differently when exposed to the same
contaminants at similar concentrations. For example, some people can develop severe allergic reactions to biological contaminants to which other people do not react. Similarly, exposure to very low levels of chemicals may be irritating to some people but not others. For people with asthma and other pre-existing conditions, exposure to compounds from various indoor sources may cause more severe reactions than the same exposure would in others. Those people who experience adverse reactions to chemicals in their environment are thought to have a syndrome called multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS).
MCS syndrome is characterized by self-reported symptoms caused by low-level exposure to chemicals. The term "chemical" is used to refer broadly to many natural and man-made substances, some of which have several chemical constituents. MCS syndrome has led to great controversy among clinicians, researchers, patients, lawyers, legislators and regulatory agencies. The absence of scientific agreement on MCS has contributed to the development of emotionally charged, extreme and entrenched positions.
People with MCS identify many products as chemical triggers producing adverse health effects. Some of the compounds include tobacco smoke, fragrance, combustion by-products, gasoline vapors, urea formaldehyde from particleboard and other engineered wood products, nail polish remover, hair spray, paint and paint thinner, pesticides, new carpet, flame retardants on clothing and furniture, felt tip pens, and cleaning products. The above products can release compounds into the environment that can be categorized into groups of compounds such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), semi-volatile compounds, aromatic hydrocarbons, and pesticides. EHSI/Healthy Buildings can provide services to help identify sources of exposures to offending substances, collect air samples for submission to an analytical laboratory, and help characterize potential exposures. EHSI/Healthy Buildings will give you recommendations for reducing the exposures.
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