ME/CFS, MCS/TILT/CI, HRS/EI, Alternative Health, and Networking Resources in Scotland, UK

 

           

 

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What is MCS?

                                         

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[ Web-page last updated: 07.01.04 ]




           

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Introduction
Thank you for coming
Hi What is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?          "Do you know that if you type "What is MCS" into that great search engine "Google" you will almost instantly get several hundreds hits! Impressive huh. What is not at all impressive however is this rather sad fact: Type the same question into the same search engine - only this time confine your search to just the UK. Guess how many hits you get now? Go on, make a guess... The incredible correct answer is.. none. Yep. NONE. I couldn't find a single solitary one! Well done United Kingdom!."          I wrote the statement above, right here, in the spring of 2002. Since then things have not improved that much. Type "What is MCS" into Google now [including the quotes] and you presently only get a rather pathetic 8 hits [but better than zero] on a UK search. The first two of these hits are for here at Satori-5. The only other relevent hit from the remaining six comes from the "Air Improvement Centre UK" [they sell some excellent kit for MCS sufferers - see "Helpful Liks" supplement]. A big "well-done" to them I say.          So, no great improvement there then - for the passage of 15 more months. How many more new toxic synthetic chemicals have been introduced into our lives during that space of time I wonder? I know there are good MCS sites out there that answer that very important question: "What is MCS?" - because I've seen them. The problem can only be that they are doing it in a way that is invisible to the Internet search engines. Surely this is a sad and needless waste.          The reason why Google is finding that most basic of all MCS questions [and arguably the most important] at Satori-5 and not in those other precious MCS sites is probably just down to the simple fact that I include the important question in the html page-title and meta-tag parts of the webpage. I would urge these other much needed sites to do the same. It would be terrific to type the same question into a Google UK search again in another 15 months time and see dozens, or even hundred of quality Google hits! Now, there's a heart-warming thought :)          Meantime, in anwer to the question "What is MCS?" - check out the following definitions below which come from a variety of informed sources. Thank you for listening Namaste Yours Sincerely Gordon D McHendry
August 2003

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What is MCS?
Definition No-1
The plan here is to search the digital planet for definitions of MCS [also known as TILT, CI, and EI] and quote here in this section of Satori-5 what I consider to be the best of them. From that effort I hope to be able to arrive, eventually, at the holly grail of a perfect MCS ilness definition. Failing that then a synthesis definition that really hits the nail comprehensively on the head.          To kick off and get the ball rolling here is a very reasonable definition from the American based "MCS Advocacy Fund": They have this to say on the matter...          "MCS is an immune-system disease which most typically affects the lungs, nervous system, digestive tract, and brain. It is caused by hypersensitivity to low-level exposures to chemicals and is precipitated by a single massive exposure or long-term low-level exposure to chemicals encountered in the workplace or at home. MCS can be substantiated by reliable and reproducible laboratory tests and there are M.D.'s in the field of environmental medicine who are trained to recognize and treat it. MCS is a disability recognized by the ADA and the Social Security Administration."          You can find out much more at their own website by visiting www.mcsadvocacyfund.org. Well worth the digital journey.
Namaste

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What is MCS?
Definition No-2
The Right To Know Network sas this to say on the matter:          The symptoms are reproducible with repeated [chemical] exposure. The condition is chronic. Low levels of exposure [lower than previously or commonly tolerated] result in manifestations of the syndrome. The symptoms improve or resolve when the incitants are removed. Responses occur to multiple chemically unrelated substances. [Added in 1999]: Symptoms involve multiple organ systems.          Consensus definition of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) signed by 34 researchers and clinicians, published in Archives of Environmental Health 1999; 54(3) 147-149. For a real eye-opener of a read on MCS try The following link: http://www.rtk.net/ncci/NCCIMCSpg1.htm
Namaste

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What is MCS?
Definition No-3
An excellent definition and all round description of MCS can be found in the excellent document "Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS): What It Is, What It Is Not, And How It Is Manifested – Sheila Bastien, Ph.D." Below is a mere extract. The whole document can (and should) be read at:http://www.california.com/~hawk/MCS-Ammunition.htm and is a Must-Read for anyone tempted to believe that MCS might "be all in the mind".          What is multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)?          Cullin, M.R. ed. (1987) "Workers with multiple chemical sensitivities" Occupational Medicine; State of the Art Reviews, defines multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) as an acquired disorder characterized by recurrent symptoms referable to multiple organ systems, occurring in response to demonstrable exposure to many chemically unrelated compounds at doses far below those established in the general population to cause harmful effects. No single widely accepted test of physiological function can be shown to correlate with these symptoms. [Cullen, M.R. (1987). The Worker with multiple chemical sensitivities: an overview. In Cullen, M.R. (ed). Occupational Medicine: State of the Art Reviews. Hanley and Belfus, Philadelphia. 655-662]          The National Research Council, 1992 workshop on Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (a group working on research protocols for clinical evaluation) reported in Toxicology and Industrial Health [Vol. 10 number 4/5 July - October, 1994 Pg. 259 in Claudia Miller’s article] the definition of MCS by the National Research Counsel, 1992:          Sensitivity to chemicals. By sensitivity we mean symptoms or signs as related to chemical exposures at levels tolerated by the population at large, that is distinct from such well recognized hypersensitivity phenomenon as IgG-mediated immediate hypersensitivity reactions, contact dermatitis, and hypersensitivity pneumonitis.          Sensitivity may be expressed as symptoms and signs in one or more organ systems.          Symptoms and signs wax and wane with exposure. It is not necessary to identify a chemical exposure associated with the onset of the condition. Preexisting or concurrent conditions, e.g. asthma, arthritis, somatization disorder, or depression, should not exclude patients from consideration.          Ashford N.A. and Miller, C.S. [1991. Chemical Exposures; Low-Level and High Stakes: (Van Nostrum Reinhold, New York)]. Their definition is: "The patient with multiple chemical sensitivities can be discovered by removal from the suspected offending agent and by rechallenge, after an appropriate interval, under strictly controlled environmental conditions. Causality is inferred by the clearing of symptoms with removal from the offending environment and recurrence of symptoms with specific challenge."          This whole document can be found in its entirity at http://www.california.com/~hawk/MCS-Ammunition.htm and really is a "Must-Read" if you have the slighest honest intention of understanding something of what MCS truly is.
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