ASEHA Qld

MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY: 2006 Review of the Evidence
Prepared by Dr Sharyn Martin, PhD and Dorothy M. Bowes for ASEHA Qld Inc May 2006

Introduction

This document was prepared in June 2006 by ASEHA representatives and MCS sufferers, Dorothy Bowes and Dr Sharyn Martin to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity drawing on credible scientific and medical references. Incorporated are real problems and actual experiences that ASEHA has encountered through its advocacy work and communications with ASEHA members and the public. MCS has far reaching implications if left undiagnosed and untreated as it not only affects the health of the individual, it also affects that person and families lifestyle, financial situation, ability to socialise, ability to support oneself or family, ability to access and utilise facilities such as hospitals, schools, libraries, shopping centres, health care facilities etc.

ASEHA has prepared 16 recommendations, that we feel would progress the issues raised in this document. We have included the main issues for MCS sufferers from this document; the most urgent of these is access to appropriate medical practitioners and health care, hospitals and appropriate housing.

We feel that the body of scientific and medical evidence combined with personal experiences of MCS individuals to compel any Government to further research MCS and implement further measures to address chemical regulation and usage.

CONTENTS

PART 1. EXPERIENCE AND DIAGNOSIS OF MCS

• Authoritative Evidence on the existence of MCS
• Specific symptoms and signs used to determine the presence of MCS
• Criteria health care providers (doctors and other practitioners) use to establish the diagnosis of MCS.
• Diagnostic tests used to confirm the diagnosis of MCS
• Factors contributing to the development of MCS.
• Prevalence of MCS.
• Factors influencing the apparent gender, workplace, ethnic and geographic differences in the prevalence of the diagnosis of MCS.
• The overlap between MCS and other chronic disorders such as CFS

PART 2. TREATMENT AND MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR MCS

• Is MCS a treatable and/or manageable disorder
• Successful and unsuccessful strategies for treatment and management of MCS
• Goals for the treatment of MCS
• Factors that can influence the progression of MCS
• Can MCS be cured or controlled.
• Assistance needed in learning to live with MCS.
• Positive and Negative Factors that appear to influence the course of the condition

PART 3. RESEARCH AND EDUCATION

• Research being undertaken to improve the knowledge and understanding of MCS
• Gaps in knowledge associated with identifying and treating people who suffer from MCS
• Action being taken to overcome the education and knowledge gaps regarding MCS
• Strategies to improve or overcome gaps in education and knowledge about MCS And to assist in enabling people who suffer from this condition to be more effectively supported and understood

ASEHA RECOMMENDATIONS

References

APPENDIX A. MCS Definitions

APPENDIX B. EHP Supplement Volume 105 Supplement 2, March 1997. Experimental Approaches to Chemical Sensitivity

APPENDIX C. Recommended guidance notes for physicians (Ashford & Miller. 1998).

APPENDIX D. MCS CASE HISTORIES

APPENDIX E. WHO Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion in a Globalised World: