The
Hidden Epidemic: Chemical Sensitivity
and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
(MCS)
by
Dr Katherine Aaron
According to the American Diabetes Association, 6% of the American population
has diabetes. According to the National Academy of Sciences, and the
Department of Health of New Mexico and California, 15% of the American
population is chemically sensitive (CS). That means that twice as many
people are afflicted with some form of chemical sensitivity including
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) than have diabetes. There are many
programs funded by the government and industry to fight diabetes, why
are there none to fight the larger problem of CS?
When
the National Academy of Sciences stated in 1989
that 15% of the population is currently suffering
from CS and MCS, why didn’t the National
Institutes of Health and other government agencies
immediately put a plan of action into place to
address this significant and wide-spread health
issue?
Since
the 1950’s, scientists and doctors helping
people afflicted with MCS have been black listed
and some have lost their license to practice.
Why has this not raised red flags within the medical
community?
Never
before have industry and business tried to dispel
the existence of an illness. Never before has
a disease caused such controversy, confusion and
intrigue. Tragically, there are many people whose
lives are caught in the middle of this push and
pull of money vs. health. They go on suffering,
many without adequate healthcare or the disability
income that is due them. In “The Hidden
Epidemic: Chemical Sensitivity and MCS” you
will discover the answers to these questions as
well as learn many ways to help yourself and others
afflicted with Chemical Sensitivity.
THE
HISTORY OF MCS
In 1951, Dr. Theron Randolph published the first medical paper on Chemical
Sensitivity (CS). In it he stated that synthetic chemicals found everyday
indoors and outdoors was causing chronic illness, including CS. His paper
was met with much resistance in the medical community and from industry.
This is because chemical manufacturers own large pharmaceutical companies
and the pharmaceutical companies have a profound influence over the medical
community, including the AMA (The American Medical Association).
Since the end of World War II, the chemical industry has grown at a rapid
rate. Due to the breakthroughs using hydrocarbons in chemical engineering,
most of our food, clothing and building materials contain synthetic
chemicals. Since World War II forward, we have socially tolerated
poisons in our food and in the air we breathe as being part of “Better
Living Through Chemistry”.
Thus,
we are inundated with toxic chemicals in western
cultures. With the growing prevalence of synthetic
chemicals has come the growing epidemic of CS
and MCS. Because of this the chemical industry
has formed well-organized lobby groups and other
organizations, such as RISE, to refute that MCS
exists. This is because MCS is caused by exposures
to toxic chemicals, which makes the chemical manufacturer
and the products that contain these toxic chemicals
legally responsible for damages. This means a
great loss of revenue for industry if, or rather
when they pay their victims.
As
science proves the toxic affects of chemicals
and as epidemiological studies prove that there
is indeed an epidemic of CS, the more organized
the chemical industry becomes. They have muddied
the waters of science just as the tobacco industry
did. They have been a large presence in all important
discussions in the medical community regarding
CS. Never before has industry had such a huge
input into public health policy. Never before
have doctors and healthcare professionals been
prosecuted for treating an illness that industry
claims does not exist.
Yet,
emerging from this shroud of controversy is the
fact that toxic chemicals are making people very
sick. Chemical Sensitivity and Multiple Chemical
Sensitivities affect millions of Americans everyday.
People suffering with this disease have had to
fight for their right to healthcare and those
disabled from chemical injuries have had to fight
for their disability rights.
