Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS)
Air cleaners for MCS sufferers need to be able to control a wide range of chemicals and not themselves be a source of chemical contamination. IQAir has with the GC series a product line which meet these and other MCS requirements.
What is MCS
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is marked by multiple symptoms in multiple organ systems (usually the neurological, immune, respiratory, skin and/or musculoskeletal) that recur chronically in response to multiple chemical exposures.
What can cause MCS
MCS usually starts with either an acute or chronic toxic exposure, after which this initial sensitivity broadens to include many other chemicals and common irritants (pesticides, perfumes and other scented products, fuels, food additives, carpets, building materials, etc.). In non-industrial workplaces, a number of common products and processes are often identified as contributing to the onset of MCS:
offgasing of new carpets
gas stoves
cleaning supplies
house paints
pesticides and wood preservatives
vehicle exhaust fumes
new building materials and furnishings
toxic chemicals used in art, photography, printing, etc.
formaldehyde in new clothes, books, and other products
carbonless paper, inks, copying machines, and laser printer toner
secondhand tobacco smoke
Symptoms of MCS
MCS symptoms commonly include difficulty in breathing, sleeping and/or concentrating, memory loss, migraines, nausea, abdominal pain, chronic fatigue, aching joints and muscles, and irritated eyes, nose, ears, throat and/or skin. In addition, some MCS show impaired balance and increased sensitivity not just to odors but also to loud noises, bright lights, touch, extremes of heat and cold, and electromagnetic fields. MCS is more common in women and can start at any age, but usually begins in late puberty to mid-life.
Treatment
Avoiding the chemicals which may trigger reactions is an essential part of treating MCS. Those with MCS who are able to strictly avoid exposures often experience dramatic improvement of their health over the period of a year or more. Yet the profusion of new and untested synthetic chemicals makes this extremely difficult.
MCS and air cleaning
The removal of materials which generate chemical exposure is an essential part of creating a "sanctuary" relatively free from chemical emissions. Suitable air cleaning measures can help further reduce the background levels of residual chemicals. Since chemicals are present in the air both in the form of gaseous molecules as well as particle-bound, only air cleaners which offer both particulate filtration and significant gas phase filters will be able to make a meaningful contribution to reducing background levels of chemicals in the air.
Most off-the-shelf air cleaners on the market today are not suitable for MCS sufferers, because their gas phase filters are too small. MCS sufferers should avoid products which use carbon pads or similar low carbon containing filters. Air cleaners with granular media, such as granular activated carbon, provide better removal efficiencies for gaseous chemicals. Coconut-based carbon should be avoided since it has been reported by some users to trigger allergies. But carbon alone does not offer complete removal of gaseous chemicals. Activated carbon works well with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) but not well with some semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) such as formaldehyde or inorganic chemicals such as hydrogen sulfide. The widest range of chemicals can be removed by air cleaners which offer both granular activated carbon and a chemically active alumina. Air cleaners which offer a combination of granular activated carbon and zeolite on the other hand bring no such advantage. Zeolite has been marketed by some air cleaner manufacturers in air cleaners for MCS sufferers, but no sound scientific evidence has been presented that makes it preferable to activated carbon or chemisorbant media.
The gas phase filter in an air cleaner for MCS should be protected by a high-efficiency pre-filter. This guards against premature particle contamination which drastically reduces the effectiveness of the gas phase filters by clogging the micro-pores of the media. This decreases effectiveness, service life and may lead to cross contamination.
Air cleaners themselves can present sources of chemical contaminants, which
present a serious problem to MCS sufferers. Many air cleaners contain sealants,
gaskets, glues and softeners, which can release chemicals into the air.
Inspection of various air cleaning systems on the market has shown that there
is no significant difference in the amounts of chemicals released between air
cleaners with metal housings and those with plastic housings. This may be due
to the fact that most of the off-gasing of the air cleaners at room temperature
comes from gaskets and sealing compounds which may be contained both in units
with metal and plastic housings. Fan motors have also been reported by MCS
sufferers to release chemicals and odors. This is due to the varnish which is
used on the motor windings. MCS sufferers should look for air cleaners that are
sold with varnish free fan motors and have the fan motor located before the gas
phase filter. This way the gas phase filter is able to take up any chemicals
(from lubricants etc.) released by the fan motor as it heats up. MCS sufferers
should also ensure that the fan motor and the gas phase filter are followed by
an efficient particulate post-filter to capture dust which can be generated by
the gas phase media and metal dust from the motor.
Air cleaners which have the fan motor located at the last stage in an air
cleaner should for these reasons be avoided.
Suitable IQAir systems for MCS sufferers
The IQAir GC Series was specially developed for the removal of gaseous chemicals. Depending on the specific sensitivities of the MCS sufferer, the systems are available in four configurations, each targeting specific gaseous compound groups. In most MCS cases, the IQAir MultiGas GC unit is the best choice, because its wide spectrum gas phase filter is able to capture a wide array of gaseous chemicals. Other features of IQAir GC Series systems important to MCS sufferers are:
Contains no gaskets or
sealants which leak chemicals
The housing is made of fully cured, non-off-gasing premium ABS plastic
The IQAir fan motor is located before the gas phase filter and before the
particle post filter. The fan motor is varnish free.
The gas filter is followed by a high-efficiency particulate post-filter that
holds back any particles from the gas phase filter.
The gas filter cartridges can be changed independently of the other filters in
the air cleaner. This avoids cross contamination and allows for independent
replacement.
The gas phase filter is protected by a high-efficiency pre-filter against
premature particle contamination.
Copyright©2003 Air Improvement Centre.
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