MCSA NEWS
– Online Edition
November 2009,
Volume 4, Issue 11
Entire PDF Edition: http://mcs-america.org/November2009.pdf (View, Download, and Print)
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Social Security
Disability, Reopening Denied Claims and SSI
Thimerosal in Vaccines
Linked to Slowed Neurological Response
Chemical Induced Brain
Dysfunction Shown in Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Greatly Impacts Life and
Function
Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome Linked to Retrovirus
Social Security
Disability Awarded for Mold Toxicity
Aluminum Hydroxide in
Vaccines Linked to Neurological Damage
Wi-Fi
Safety Questioned
Scientists in the
Simon’s statement is designed to elicit
the belief that Wi-Fi is safe, yet being within some randomly set exposure
guideline does not in any way guarantee safety or lack of human health effects.
Andrew Goldsworthy BSc PhD, a retired lecturer in biology at the
Comments by Andrew Goldsworthy on
September 20, 2009
The following quote from the notes
to editors is muddled and deeply misleading.
“There is no consistent evidence to date that exposure to RF
signals from Wi-Fi and WLANs adversely affect the
health of the general population”.
It is muddled because it confuses
two completely separate issues.
Is
there any evidence that Wi-Fi is harmful to health?
The answer to this is DEFINITELY YES.
Is
the whole population affected?
The answer to this is SEEMINGLY NOT.
It is
misleading because it is written in such a way as to imply that Wi-Fi is safe
for EVERYONE and there is no reason why it should not be used universally in
schools. What about the health of the students and staff who are affected? Do
they not care?
The use of the word “consistent” in the quote is also worrying since it
suggests that physicists and engineers, possibly from the mobile phone and
Wi-Fi industries, rather than biologists and health experts, are in control.
No trained
biologist or medical practitioner would ever expect the same level of consistency
from experiments with complex living organisms as is possible with simple
physical systems.
Apart from identical twins, each one
of us is genetically and physiologically unique and we do not all respond in
the same way to metabolic insults. Not everyone who smokes dies of cancer, and
we do not all suffer the same side effects from taking a medicinal drug. Even
the same person may not be equally susceptible all of the time. For example, if
we are ill, our resistance to further infections is usually lowered. Anyone who
says that we must all show the same response to electromagnetic radiation
before its effects can be regarded as real must have a very limited knowledge
of biology. They are certainly not qualified to sit in judgement on important health
issues that are likely to affect billions of people worldwide, let alone the
health of unsuspecting
Not Every Country Agrees On The Safety Guidelines
The press release is also misleading
when it says that the electromagnetic radiation from wireless laptops and
mobile phones fall within internationally agreed Safety Guidelines. It says
nothing about the fact that THESE GUIDELINES ARE NOT UNIVERSALLY AGREED and many other countries such as
These Guidelines Do Not Include
Non-Thermal Effects
The guidelines that the UK Health
Protection Agency refers to are based on those proposed by ICNIRP, using
research that is at least a decade out of date. In particular, they make the
assumption that the only way that non-ionising radiation can damage living
cells is due to its heating effect. They do not include the direct electrical
effects on cell membranes, which can occur at radiation levels that are
hundreds or even thousands of times lower.
It Just Should Not Have Happened
Many of these non-thermal effects are catalogued in the Bioinitiative Report, which was drawn up by a team of
expert scientists in 2007. They examined over two thousand peer-reviewed
scientific papers on the effects of non-ionising radiation and found that over
two thirds of them showed some sort of biological effect that could not be
explained by heating (www.bioinitiative.org ). Not all were directly concerned
with health, but if the ICNIRP guidelines were valid, none of them should ever
have occurred. We cannot therefore assume that radiation that falls within the
ICNIRP guidelines is necessarily safe.
What Causes These
Non-Thermal Electrical Effects?
Most of the non-thermal effects of
electromagnetic radiation can be explained in terms of the leakage of cell
membranes following the electromagnetic removal of structurally important
calcium ions. It has been known since the work of Suzanne Bawin
and her co-workers in 1975 (Bawin et al. 1975. Ann. N.Y. Acad
Sci, 247:
74-81) that otherwise harmless radio waves could remove calcium ions from brain
cell membranes when they were amplitude modulated
at a low frequency; i.e. when the strength of the radio signal rose and fell in
time with the low frequency. These experiments have been repeated many times
and also with other tissues such as heart muscle (For a review, see Blackman
2009. Pathophysiology, 16:
205-216).
The general conclusion from these
and many similar experiments is that low frequency electromagnetic fields, or
radio waves that are amplitude modulated at a low frequency, can remove calcium
ions from the membranes of some but not all kinds of living cells. Pulses are
more effective than sine waves, possibly because their sharp rise and fall
times are more effective at jerking the calcium away from the membrane and also
allow more time for it to be replaced by other ions before the field reverses.
Pulses carried by microwaves should be particularly effective because the high
frequency of the carrier permits faster rise and fall times for the pulses.
The Mechanism Of Calcium Removal
Living tissues can absorb
non-ionising radiation and convert it into alternating electric currents, just
like the antenna of a radio set. The only real difference is that, in living
tissues, these currents are carried by ions (electrically charged atoms and
molecules) rather than electrons. When these currents impinge on cell
membranes, which are normally negatively charged, they vibrate like miniature
loudspeakers in time with the signal. This loosens some of the positive ions
bound to them since they are driven in the opposite direction.
If the signal is strong, all the
ions bounce on and off the membrane more or less equally, but if the signal is
weak, only the more strongly charged ions, such as calcium (which has a double
charge) are pulled off. Ions with only one charge, such as potassium then take
their place. Very little energy is needed, since the ions have only to be moved
by molecular dimensions and the effect is simply to change the natural chemical
equilibrium between the different ions bound to the membrane. However, the
effect can be devastating.
Only Weak Signals Do This
Only weak signals can selectively remove calcium in this way. Even then,
it can only occur in narrow ranges of signal strength called amplitude windows, above and below which there is
little or no effect. The exact positions of these windows are indeterminate
since they depend on the nature of the membrane, the availability of other ions
to replace the calcium and how well the tissue is acting as an antenna.
Cells Are Constantly Moving In And
Out Of Their Windows.
Living tissues are dynamic systems
and their characteristics, including their electrical characteristics, are
constantly changing, which means that they will not always be equally efficient
as antennas. Also, as we go about our daily business, our exposure to
electromagnetic fields and our orientation to them are constantly changing so
that individual cells may not stay long enough in their windows to do
significant harm.
However, all this changes when the
source and orientation of the field is constant, such as when using a mobile
phone or sleeping near a base station. Some cells may then be in their windows
for long enough to do significant damage. The important thing to note is that
any assertion that Wi-Fi and mobile phones must be safer than other forms of
electromagnetic radiation just because the signal is weaker is both false and
dangerous. Mobile phones and Wi-Fi laptops, by leaving individual cells for
prolonged periods in their amplitude widows may do more damage than general
electromagnetic pollution. Under some circumstances, a weaker signal may even
drive more cells into their amplitude windows and make matters worse.
How Calcium Loss Makes Cell
Membranes Leak
The calcium ions lost due to
electromagnetic exposure were important. Because they have a double charge they
have an especially strong attraction to the negatively charged membrane
components on either side and bind them together just as mortar binds together
the bricks in a wall. However, the ions with only one charge that replace them
do this less well, so the membrane may now develop temporary pores and leak.
This leakage can then cause all sorts of harmful effects.
The Biological Effects Of Membrane Leakage
Many of the so-called “modern
illnesses” that have increased, sometimes dramatically, in the last few decades
can be linked to cell membrane leakage due to our increasing exposure to non-ionising
electromagnetic radiation. More details of these, together with journal
references, can be found at http://tinyurl.com/5ru6e6 but I will outline a selection of
them here.
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity
(EHS)
Electromagnetic hypersensitivity is a condition
in which people experience physical symptoms such as rashes and/or a wide range
of unpleasant sensory disturbances during or shortly after exposure to
electromagnetic fields. It can develop in previously healthy people after
prolonged exposure and appears to be largely irreversible. It was first noticed
in radar technicians, when it was called microwave sickness, but it has
increased dramatically in recent years in the general population. About three
percent of the population are now affected in this way, and its incidence often
appears to be associated with prolonged exposure to microwave based
telecommunications.
Virtually all of the symptoms can be
explained by electromagnetically-induced cell membrane leakage. Sufferers are
characterised by already having unusually leaky cell membranes as measured by
skin conductance. This makes them more
prone to the consequences of additional electromagnetically-induced leakage.
When their skin cells leak, it can result in inflammation and rashes. When
their sensory cells leak, it can result in numerous unpleasant sensory
disturbances.
We all have many different kinds of
sensory cells, but they all work by “deliberately” leaking ions through their
membranes when they sense whatever they are programmed to sense. This reduces
the natural voltage across their external membranes, which in turn triggers the
release of neurotransmitters that stimulate neighbouring nerve cells to send
signals to the brain. Unscheduled
leakage due to electromagnetic exposure can therefore trigger false sensations
such as pins and needles, heat, pain and pressure, depending on which cells are
most affected. When the hair cells of the inner ear are affected, it can cause
tinnitus, which is a false sensation of sound. When it affects those concerned
with balance, it can cause dizziness and trigger symptoms of motion sickness,
including nausea. Prolonged exposure to the radiation seems to damage these
cells permanently so they become even more inclined to leak and the person
becomes sensitised for life.
Brain Hyperactivity
When cells of the brain and nervous
system leak, free calcium ions can enter the neurons from outside. In normal circumstances,
neurons require a “deliberate” brief inflow of calcium ions to trigger the
release of neurotransmitters so that they can send signals to neighbouring
neurons. Unscheduled steady calcium inflow due to electromagnetic radiation
makes them more likely to release neurotransmitters, some of which will send
false messages. This in turn can trigger brain hyperactivity leading, amongst
other things, to sleep disturbances, loss of concentration (giving rise to
ADHD) and stress headaches.
Autism
Electromagnetically-induced brain
hyperactivity and confused thought during early childhood may cause autism
(which has gone up 60-fold in the last thirty years). Basic social skills are
learnt during the first 18-months of life, after which they become hard-wired
into the child’s psyche by pruning under-used synapses. This enables them to become automatic and
require very little thought. However, this mass cull of under-used synapses is
a normal stage in development that occurs only once at around 18 months. If the
initial learning process has been disrupted by brain hyperactivity, many social
skills may remain poorly learnt by the time the synapses are pruned, and the
child may become irreversibly autistic.
Babies exposed to the radiation from cordless baby monitors may be
particularly at risk but this has not been tested.
Dementia
Dementia in the elderly also seems
to be on the increase, and some of it can be attributed to electromagnetic
exposure.
Allergies
All of our body surfaces, both
inside and out, are normally protected from unwanted materials entering by
barriers similar to the blood-brain barrier, where the gaps between the cells
are sealed, forming what are known as tight junctions. There is strong evidence that these too leak in response to
weak electromagnetic radiation, which would allow the more rapid entry of allergens,
foreign chemicals and other unwanted materials. This may account for the
massive increases in asthma, allergies and multiple chemical sensitivities that
have accompanied our increasing exposures to electromagnetic radiation in
recent years.
Autoimmune Diseases
These include type-1 diabetes,
multiple sclerosis and celiac disease, all of which are on the increase. This
has been attributed to an increased leakiness of the gut barrier (also known as
leaky gut syndrome) and may be exacerbated by electromagnetic exposure. It allows particles of partially digested
food to enter the bloodstream. From there, they may be engulfed by body cells
by endocytosis, followed by an attempt to digest them
internally. However, some materials, e.g. gluten, are difficult to digest and
may be mistaken for a virus. The cell responds by displaying it on its surface,
which identifies it to the white blood cells of the immune system as a cell
that must be killed to prevent the spread of the “infection”. This triggers
inflammation, which is both painful and attracts more white blood cells to the
area, which may make matters worse and results in the death of perfectly
healthy cells. Celiac disease is an autoimmune response, triggered by gluten,
which causes inflammation of the gut, but autoimmune diseases in other parts of
the body may have a similar aetiology.
Effects On
Internal Membranes And DNA
There are at least two mechanisms by
which the leakage of the cell’s internal membranes can damage DNA. Living cells
are divided into various internal compartments by membranes that are all
variations of the same basic structure as the outer membrane. From our
standpoint, the two most important compartments are the lysosomes and the mitochondria.
The lysosomes are membrane-bound structures full of digestive enzymes that digest
cellular waste ready for recycling. Membrane leakage here releases these
enzymes, which can digest and damage the rest of the cell, including its DNA.
The mitochondria are the cell’s power stations. They carry out the controlled oxidation
of materials derived from our food to generate ATP, which is the main energy
currency of the cell. This oxidation actually goes on in groups of enzymes
embedded in their membranes and involves highly reactive chemicals called free
radicals. Damage to these membranes is likely to release of some of these free
radicals that can then react with and destroy other cellular components,
including DNA. It’s like blowing up a furnace scattering burning embers
everywhere.
There is even some similarity to
blowing up a nuclear power station since, although no radioactivity is
involved, the free radicals that are normally locked safely away in the
mitochondrial membranes, have very similar activities to those that do most of
the damage when a cell is irradiated with gamma rays. Indeed, many concerned
scientists have noted the similarity between the biological effects of
non-ionising radiation and gamma rays. Non-ionising radiation should therefore
be treated with as much caution as ionising radiation until much more is known
about its biological effects.
Brain Cancer
DNA damage has been found in many
experiments in many laboratories when cultured cells have been exposed to
mobile phone radiation, even for less than a day (see www.bioinitiative.org ). It can therefore account for the
brain and other head cancers that we are now beginning to see in people who
have been heavy users of mobile phones for ten years or more; with children being
at greatest risk (Hardell et al. 2009 Pathophysiology 16: 113-122).
Thyroid Cancer
There has also been an unexplained
increase in thyroid cancer in recent years (the thyroid gland is in the neck;
just inches from where you hold your mobile phone) and may have a similar
aetiology to brain cancer.
Mobile phones may make you fat
Another consequence of DNA damage is
a partial loss of function in the exposed organ. For example, Rajkovic and co-workers (Rajkovic
et al. 2003 Tissue & Cell 35: 223–231) showed that exposing rats
to power line frequencies for over three months caused a seemingly permanent
loss of thyroid function. If this were to occur in humans as a result of the
radiation from wireless telecommunications, we would expect to see widespread
symptoms of hypothyroidism, which include fatigue, loss of muscle tone and
obesity. It may be no coincidence that about thirty percent of our population
is now either overweight or clinically obese (with all the extra risks to
health that this implies) and the number of teenagers on anti-obesity drugs has
gone up 15-fold in the ten years since the use of mobile phones, DECT cordless
phones and Wi-Fi became almost universal.
Effects on Fertility
There have been several studies
showing that mobile phone use reduces male fertility. One of the more recent,
by Agarwal and co-workers (Agarwal
et al. 2008 Fertil Steril 89: 124-8) showed that using a mobile
phone for more than four hours a day caused a reduction in sperm numbers,
motility and viability, each of around 25 percent. The prolonged use of a Wi-Fi
laptop computer on or near the lap could have even more serious consequences
for male fertility. Effects on female fertility have not yet been studied but,
since all the eggs that a woman will ever have were already
in her ovaries before she was born, the cumulative effect could be
considerable. All of these effects can be attributed to electromagnetic DNA
damage, which could also lead to miscarriages, deformities in the offspring and
genetic mutations that may not appear for several generations. Anyone who
considers Wi-Fi to be safe should think again.
On The Brighter Side
We do not have to abandon mobile
telecommunications; all we have to do is make them safer by a wiser use of
technology that takes into account the vagaries of biological systems. The
problems that arise are not due to the heating effect of the radiation.
Instead, they are largely due to the way in which the radio signals are
modulated to carry information (Blackman 2009. Pathophysiology, 16:
205-216). This makes them much easier to solve just by changing the way in
which the signals are encoded. In
particular, we need to remove all vestiges of low frequency amplitude
modulation or anything that might be perceived by a cell (or a simple diode) as
low frequency amplitude modulation.
It is well established that low
frequency electromagnetic fields, including those from power lines, can have
adverse biological effects. It is also clear that living cells can demodulate
amplitude modulated radio signals (including microwaves) to extract the
biologically-active low frequencies. Little work has been done on how they do
this, but the most plausible mechanism is that the countless ion channels that
pierce virtually all cell membranes act as electrically-biased point-contact
diodes capable of rectifying and therefore demodulating the signals. The normal
voltage across a typical 10nm-thick cell membrane is of the order of 100mV,
giving a voltage gradient of around ten million volts per metre. This should provide
adequate bias.
An interesting example of this
effect can be found at http://tinyurl.com/m4u75o , where you can see and hear a
complete radio set constructed from a single carbon nanotube
of similar diameter to a cellular ion channel. It is capable of amplifying and
demodulating radio signals even at microwave frequencies. If the analogy with
the living cell is valid, the extracted, and possibly amplified, low frequency
components would appear across the cell membrane where they could do most dam
age.
Sources Of
Low Frequency Amplitude Modulation
In the case of digital
transmissions, the equivalent of low frequency amplitude modulation may arise
from low frequency beacons, traffic where individual packets of information are
transmitted separated by long gaps, and frequency hopping where reflections may
give different cancellation effects at different frequencies.
Perhaps all we need do is to take a lesson
from DNA, where the gaps between genes are filled with DNA that
codes for nothing, with the beginning and end of each gene denoted by a
special coding sequence. In the case of digital communications, if we can fill
the gaps between transmitted pulses and packets with code that the receiver is
programmed to recognise as blank spaces, but still look to a cell as if it were
a continuous transmission, we may be well on the way to achieving a relatively
safe means of wireless telecommunication.
One wonders why this sort of
research is not already under way.
Andrew Goldsworthy BSc PhD
Lecturer in Biology (retired)
Reference
Scientist probe laptops Wi-Fi Emissions. Medical News Today. 15 Sep 2009 - 20:00 PDT. Retrieved
on October 18, 2009 from: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/163988.php
Andrew Goldsworthy was born in 1939. After
a conventional Grammar School education he obtained a First Class Honors Degree
in Botany followed by a PhD for research into plant physiology and biochemistry
at the
which corresponds to
http://bemri.org/archive/hese-uk/en/niemr/resonance1.php.
Walkup Talks Disability Reopening Denied Claims and SSI
Re-Opening Applications
Many MCS sufferers have older
disability applications that they did not appeal, or they tried to return to
work and dropped their claims. In some
circumstances, these earlier applications can be reopened. If you file a new application for benefits
that is considered to be a constructive request to re-open any prior
claims. If you re-file within one year
of the Initial Denial decision, the claim is automatically re-opened. The prior claims can also be re-opened if a
new application is filed within four years of the Initial Denial and you submit
new and material evidence that was not available at the time of the original
application or was not obtained and used in the decision. You can also re-open at any time if there is
a severe mental impairment which prevented you from acting in your own behalf.
The advantage of re-opening is
that all of the benefits which had accrued during the original application can be
obtained if you are successful, not just the ones that accrue after filing the
new application. This can mean a fairly
large award can be obtained.
Bear in mind that the time is
calculated from the first denial letter you received on your claim, not the ALJ
decision or Appeals Council decision.
SSI
In addition to or instead of
benefits under SSDI or Title II of the Social Security Act, you may be entitled
to Supplementary Security Income benefits, or SSI.
SSI is basically a welfare
program and allows people who are disabled and also are poor enough to fall
under the federal poverty guidelines, to receive benefits if they are unable to
work. People over 65 who do not have
other income or resources automatically get SSI.
An important difference between
the SSI benefits and the SSDI program is that for SSI you do not have to have
enough “current credits” in covered employment or to ever have had a work
history. This can be an advantage to
those people who may only have worked a short time, were homemakers for many
years before becoming disabled, or who did a lot of part time work or work in
which they were paid in cash or were self employed and did not pay taxes.
However, to get SSI benefits you have to
also be poor enough, which tends to preclude people who are married with
working spouses. Also, if you are
receiving “in kind” support, such as having your rent covered by a friend or
relative, it will reduce the amount you may receive.
Another advantage of the SSI
benefits is that there is no “waiting period” between the time you became
disabled and first month in which benefits can be paid. However, there is also no payment for
retroactive benefits prior to the month in which the SSI application is made,
whereas with SSDI you can get retroactive benefits for up to a year before the
month in which you applied.
Medicaid is available if you
are approved for SSI, but not Medicare.
If your SSDI monthly payment is
less than the current SSI monthly amount, you can receive enough SSI in
combination with the SSDI to bring you up to the SSI payment amount if you
otherwise qualify.
Epidemic of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
A
Disease Caused by Toxic Chemical Exposure
Featured
in Toxicology Textbook
Professor Martin L. Pall’s research on
multiple chemical sensitivity has been featured and published as a 52 page
chapter in a prestigious reference work for professional toxicologists, "General and Applied Toxicology,
3rd Edition" (John
Wiley & Sons).
Pall's paper, entitled Multiple Chemical Sensitivity:
Toxicological Questions and Mechanisms, establishes five important facts about
MCS:
1. MCS is a stunningly common disease, even more common than
diabetes. This has been shown in a series of nine epidemiological studies
from the
2. MCS is caused by toxic chemical exposure. Cases of MCS are
initiated by exposure to seven classes of chemicals. These include three
classes of pesticides and the very large class of organic solvents and related
compounds. In addition, published studies implicate mercury, hydrogen
sulfide and carbon monoxide as initiators. All seven of these classes of
chemicals have been shown in animal studies to produce a common response in the
body, excessive activity of a receptor in the body known as the NMDA
receptor. Furthermore animal studies have demonstrated that chemicals
belonging to each of these seven classes can have their toxic responses greatly
lowered by using drugs that lower this NMDA response. Because excessive
NMDA activity is implicated in MCS from other studies, we now have a compelling
common response that explains how such diverse chemicals can produce the
disease that we call MCS.
3. The role of chemicals acting as
toxicants in MCS has been confirmed by genetic studies. Four such studies
have shown that genes that determine the rate of metabolism of chemicals
otherwise implicated in MCS, influence susceptibility to becoming ill with
MCS. These four studies have been published by three research groups in
three countries, the
4. We have, a detailed and generally well
supported mechanism for MCS. This mechanism explains both the high
level chemical sensitivity that is the most characteristic symptom of MCS, as
well as many other symptoms and signs of this disease, can be generated.
This mechanism is centered on a biochemical vicious cycle, known as the
NO/ONOO- cycle, which interacts with other mechanisms previously implicated in
MCS, notably neural sensitization and neurogenic
inflammation. These act locally, in various tissues of the body, to generate
local sensitivity in regions of the brain and in peripheral tissues including
lungs, upper respiratory tract and regions of the skin and the GI tract.
Because of this local nature, different MCS patients differ from one another in
their sensitivity symptoms, because the tissues impacted differ from one
patient to another. In addition to the evidence discussed above, this
general mechanism is supported by various physiological changes found in MCS
and in related illnesses, by studies of MCS animal models, by objectively
measurable responses of MCS patients to low level chemical exposure and by
therapeutic responses reported for MCS and related illnesses.
5. For over 20 years, some have falsely argued that MCS is a
psychogenic disease, being generated in their view by some ill defined
psychological mechanism. However this view is completely incompatible
with all of the evidence discussed earlier in this release. While such
incompatibility is more than sufficient reason to reject these psychogenic
claims, the MCS toxicology paper lists eight additional serious flaws in the
psychogenic arguments. There is a long history of false psychogenic
claims in medicine, where such diseases as asthma, autism, Parkinson's disease,
ulcers, multiple sclerosis, lupus, interstitial cystitis, migraine and
ulcerative colitis have been claimed to be generated by a psychological
mechanism. The 2005 Nobel prize in physiology
and medicine was give to Drs. Robin Warren and Barry Marshall for showing that
ulcers are caused by a bacterial infection, and are not of psychogenic
origin. It is clear, now, that MCS is physiological disease initiated by
toxic chemical exposure that has been falsely claimed to be psychogenic.
Martin L. Pall is Professor Emeritus of Biochemistry and Basic Medical Science,
503-232-3883
Pacific Time
*Reprinted and edited from a press release with
permission.
Healthy and Sacred Spaces
Our desire to express our religious
beliefs and carry out rituals defines us as a species. To come together in
sacred spaces and share in the magic of the universe with others who share the
same belief is how communities are built. But what if being in that nurturing
space made you sick? What if there was something so toxic to you that you would
become ill in that space and it became inaccessible to you? Would that be
something a community would want to resolve?
People diagnosed with environmental
sensitivities actually equal the number of people in
Environmental sensitivities are a recognized disability according to the
Ontarians with Disabilities Act. This is the act that looks at how to make spaces
accessible to all Ontarians. Chemical sensitivities are a one form of
environmental illness and it is a biological reaction to the toxicological
exposure to volatile chemicals. The body’s immune system is unable to handle
and process these toxins as most people can. The result is typically respiratory and neurological impacts affecting the
individual enough that they must seek refuge elsewhere and may take days to
recover.
The causes of such terrible events are the
chemicals we use in our everyday lives. Perfumes, cleaning products, solvents,
caulking, glues, and pesticides are just a short list. It is mainly petroleum
based products as they are highly volatile, which means that they off gas
fumes. Think of perfume. It contains approximately 75-100 volatile organic
compounds (petroleum products) whose job is to off gas enough to numb the
brains of the one’s you are trying to attract. That unfortunately is really
what is happening!
Cleaning products are so toxic that many
come with hazardous warnings on them. If we were to sit back and consider this
idea, it’s unimaginable that we would consider using these products with such
toxic warnings. Of course one says, well it hasn’t killed me yet. That is
unfortunately only partially true. Cancer rates are the highest in our history.
Asthma rates in children have more than doubled since the 1980’s and children with allergies has skyrocketed as well. We are
seeing childhood cancer rates manifest younger and younger. This is because we
now know that these toxic chemicals that we use daily are actually passing
through the placenta during pregnancy and impacting the fetus and it’s development. Our children are growing up with a weaker
immune system because of the exposures we have had in our lifetimes and unknowingly
exposed them to.
So how do we make changes? Scent free spaces are the first step in showing
your fellow community member that they too are important in your sacred space.
Scent free means no perfumes, or scented fabric softeners on your clothes. This
is easily achievable and will dramatically open the doors to more people. There
are many organizations, companies, jurisdictions, and faith communities that
have done so already, and finding them for resources is only a web search away.
Cleaning products have a massive impact,
both on the users in the faith community and those in the space. Highly
volatile and toxic cleaning products are simply not necessary for most of the
cleaning required in a faith community. Kitchen spaces used do require a
certain level of cleanliness as public health dictates. There are a few
cleaning products available that are significantly safer than chlorine bleach
(chlorine gas was used in World War One as a nerve agent) such as essential oil
of thyme based products and hydrogen peroxide based products. The products with
a Health Canada certification can be used in place of bleach for food
preparation spaces. Also remember that hot water is an acceptable solution as
well according to the guidelines. Talk to your public health inspector on
healthier options and they may have solutions that others in your area have
used. Share with your Greening Sacred Spaces network as well about what you
have learned. Educate your own people. Many times older members will use a
toxic product because they always have. That doesn’t make it safe, just ill
informed. No one wants to hurt others with something as simple and inexpensive
as cleaning products, so educate and change. If you are getting your supplies
from a cleaning company, ask them for better solutions. You can even make your
own recipes with baking soda and vinegar, which is something multi-generational
activities are all about. The best part about switching cleaning products to
more natural based ones is that it is typically cheaper, so saving money, the
environment (less toxins down the drain) and making
the place healthier for others is a great solution.
For some faith communities the burning of
candles or incense is common. Candles are typically made from paraffin, which
is petroleum, with more petroleum products to give color and smell, with a lead
dipped wick to finish it off. Consider the dark black smoke that rises when you
blow a candle out. Have you ever seen a transport truck pull away from the
corner and the same dark black smoke? It’s the same thing. Switch to beeswax or
soy based candles for a healthier option. Incense can be a sensitizer and using
the higher quality incense can help, as there are many toxic additives in the
cheaper kinds that could cause a reaction. Ideally there may be times or parts
of the space that incense is not burned so that those with sensitivities can
still attend and not be impacted.
There will still be people who are more
sensitive and these measures may not be enough. Solutions can be found for those
communities who are inclusive and interested in reaching out to their
congregation, ensuring every one of their members have the ability to attend
and share in their sacred community.
*Reprinted with permission. Original source http://www.faith-commongood.net.
Stephen Collette is a Building
Biology Environmental Consultant and LEED accredited professional, who owns Your Healthy House, and is living with his family in
705-652-5159
Stephen Collette is a
Stephen Collette is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design -
Accredited Professional (LEED AP), which allows Stephen to use the
A Warm Thanksgiving
The holidays bring many emotions. Most people look forward to sharing joy with
children and family. Some feel sad as they
remember deceased relatives or a partner from a broken relationship who
attended celebrations in the past.
Shopping, travel, traffic, and preparations can often add extra anxiety
and stress. And it doesn’t stop there.
For an estimated 46 million Americans,
chemical sensitivity throws another wrench in the works. Roughly 15% of the population experiences
some level of sensitivity to multiple chemicals which reduces blood flow to the
brain and leads to various neurological, endocrine, and immune symptoms upon
exposure to common fragrances, pesticides, and other toxic chemicals.
The exposure need not be great. The definition of MCS is such that symptoms
occur to small amounts of chemicals normally deemed as a safe exposure
level. Another person’s perfume or
scented lotion, as well as a recent pesticide application, could bring on
symptoms.
Of the 46 million Americans who
experience chemical sensitivity, approximately 9 million have been diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). For those diagnosed with MCS, the condition
has generally advanced to a disabling point.
Many are no longer able to tolerate work, shopping, school, and church
environments.
Thanksgiving brings everyone joy, sadness,
stress, anxiety, and other emotions.
Besides all of this, a person with MCS also struggles to merely be a
part of the festivities.
For those with MCS, Thanksgiving may also
bring profound rejection and loneliness.
Rejection occurs when family and friends are not willing to make small
changes to accommodate a person with MCS.
If loved ones are willing to make accommodations, they are not always
successful for various reasons.
Loneliness occurs, as a result of rejection when person with MCS is not
accommodated for one reason or another or is unnecessarily excluded from
celebrations.
Sometimes exclusion includes denigration
and harsh accusations of making more of exposures than there really is. Many people with MCS recount being told that
they just don’t want to attend. Far from
the truth, most very much want to participate in life, work, school, and social
gatherings.
Ten
1.
Make the gathering a fragrance free event for everyone’s health.
No perfume, cologne, scented lotions,
aftershaves, and hair products.
Provide showers and unscented soap for guests in case they forget.
Provide unscented robes or cover-ups in the event clothing is scented.
Remove all air
fresheners, candles, and other scented items from the home/facility.
2, Hold the even outdoors if weather
permits.
3, Run an air filter to help filter
chemicals out of the air.
4, Open opposite windows for cross
ventilation and air exchange. Turn the
heat up if necessary.
5.
Ask the person with MCS what you can prepare especially for them with
any food sensitivities in mind. You may
find that everyone loves it!
6.
Make an extra effort to include the person with MCS and make them feel
welcome while treating them normally (they have MCS, but they also have other
interests).
7.
Do not tell a person to remove a needed mask or oxygen supply for the
comfort of other guests. Allow the
person with MCS to wear a mask or respirator and alert guests ahead of time so
they are prepared.
8.
Watch for reactions to chemicals and be careful not to misinterpret the
behavior of person with MCS. Nervous
appearing behavior, excessive talking, grogginess, repetitive movements,
leaving the room, and other unusual behavior may be a sign of a reaction to the
environment.
9.
If a person with MCS does have a bad reaction, ask what you can do to
help.
10. Have fun!
Ten
1. Start planning and shopping early
by making a to do list.
2. Avoid the stress, crowds, exposures, and
hassles of shopping by employing alternatives such as buying gifts online.
3. Take care of yourself by sticking to your
normal foods and routine.
4. When entertaining, stipulate the rules on
party invitations.
If no fragrances are allowed, provide safe clothing and shower access for
guests to use when arriving.
If you don’t want to entertain all night, be sure to specify the time the
party ends.
Ask guests to bring a pot luck dish to reduce energy expended cooking and
cleaning up.
Ask guests to help out.
5. When going to a gathering away from home:
If dietary needs may not be met, bring a dish of food that you tolerate to
eat and share with others.
Bring your own vehicle and make a short appearance at a gathering if you
are unable to stay for the duration or your family wishes to stay longer.
If fragrances are of concern, wear layered clothing or a cover-up and bring
a mask. A paraplegic would not show up
without a wheel chair. You should not
show up without your medical equipment either.
6. Plan to do nothing or lighten
your schedule a few days before and after an event.
7. Just say no. It’s okay to pass on activities and outings,
especially if accommodations will not be made for you. Your first priority is you.
8. Speak to your friends and family
in advance to outline your needs and make plans.
9. Avoid making commitments you may
not be able to keep. This will lessen
the pressure you feel and you’ll win more points if you say maybe and no show
than if you say yes and no show. And if
you happen to show up in spite of “maybe”, everyone will be delighted.
10. Pace yourself. It’s better to enjoy only one activity than
be in bed for two weeks because you attempted several activities
Thimerosal
in Vaccines Linked to Slowed Neurological Response
Just days after receipt of a 2009 flu
shot, Desiree Jennings, a Washington Redskins Ambassador, developed dystonia brought on by the vaccine according to her doctors
at John’s
Despite repeated denials from
pharmaceutical companies, thimerosal, a mercury containing
vaccine preservative, remains suspect in autism, dystonia,
and other neurological disorders which commonly result from the administration
of vaccines. Though the public is led to
believe vaccines are safe, an examination of the inserts that come with
vaccines from the manufacturers reveals the risks may be much greater than
commonly purported.
A new study has replicated previous
studies, showing that rhesus macaques
monkeys given single
neonatal dose of thimerosal
containing Hepatitis B vaccines have abnormal neurological reflexes when
compared to monkeys given a saline placebo or no injection.
Lower gestational age and lower birth
weight both worsened the negative health effects of the vaccine.
Previously, blood mercury level was
thought to be a good indicator for whether the body cleared mercury. Since mercury leaves the blood readily,
thimerosal was thought to be a safe vaccine preservative. However, studies have now shown that blood
mercury may not be a good indicator of the adverse effects of mercury on the
brain, where mercury collects and stores.
Thomas Burbacher
and colleagues cite, “Although little accumulation of mercury
in the blood occurs over time with repeated vaccinations, accumulation of
mercury in the brain of infants will occur.
Thus, conclusion regarding the safety of thimerosal drawn from blood
mercury clearance data in human infants receiving vaccines may not be valid,
given the significantly slower half-life of mercury in the brain as observed in
infant macaques."
Just one study was
done on the safety of thimerosal in humans back in the 1920’s and the use of
thimerosal has been based on an assumption, rather than a proof, that it is
safe. Parents ought to closely examine
the safety and ingredients of vaccines and the availability of alternate
preparations before consenting to vaccination of their child. Full information and disclosure is paramount
to informed decisions.
References
Hewitson, L, House, LA, Stogg,
C, Sackett, G, Tomko, JL,
Atwood, D, Blue, L, White, W, and
Burbacher, TM, Shen, DD, Liberato,
N, Grant KS, Cernichiari, E, Clarkson, T. Comparison of
Blood and Brain Mercury Levels in Infant Monkeys Exposed toMethylmercury
or Vaccines Containing Thimerosal. Environmental Health Perspectives. August 2005, 113(8):1015.
Chemical Induced Brain Dysfunction Shown
in Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
Some of the earliest research done on
people with multiple chemicals sensitivity (MCS) involved brain images taken
before, during, and after chemical exposure.
These early studies consistently showed
lower baseline blood flow to the brain which worsened during low-level chemical
challenges, leading to the conclusion that chemical exposure caused
neurocognitive impairment in this population.
Researchers in
The MCS patients consistently showed
reduced baseline blood flow to the brain, which worsened after the chemical challenge,
again supporting the earlier findings.
People with MCS experience neurological
and other symptoms upon exposure to minute amounts of chemicals found in
fragrances, pesticides, and other common chemicals.
Orriols and colleagues say these findings support
the “poorer quality of life and neurocognitive function at baseline, and
neurocognitive worsening after chemical exposure” experienced by people with
MCS.
The method used for the brain scans is
known as SPECT (Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography)
technology. SPECT performs brain scans
which record brain functioning by measuring perfusion (blood flow).
Individuals with chronic symptoms show
long-term reduced blood flow to the brain and reduced ability of the brain to
take up a tracer substance in the early phase of injection, indicating a
pattern of neurotoxic metabolic abnormality.
Over 90% of MCS patients exhibit a pattern
of neurotoxic metabolic abnormalities in the brain that is consistent with
toxic encephalopathy, but that is not consistent with the changes associated
with previously implicated psychiatric diseases.
SPECT brain scans on MCS patients with
chronic symptoms following toxic exposure to various petrochemical, perfume,
and related compounds have provided researchers evidence to support an organic,
biological basis to MCS when compared with healthy control subjects.
SPECT scans have uncovered blood flow
alterations in patients with fibromyalgia, typically involving increased uptake
of tracer substances, leading researchers to questions whether fibromyalgia may
also be a toxicological disease of a different nature.
Chemicals appear to be capable of altering
brain function in a significant way.
This alteration of brain function seems to be responsible for the many
neurocognitive effects of MCS.
Reference
Orriols R, Costa R, Cuberas
G, Jacas C, Castell J, Sunyer J. Brain
dysfunction in multiple chemical sensitivity.
J Neurol Sci. 2009 Oct 2.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Greatly
Impacts Life and Function
Often misunderstood as suffering from an
annoying allergy, people with multiple chemical sensitivity
actually struggle with disabling neurological symptoms when they are exposed to
small amounts of perfume, fragrance, pesticides, and other common airborne
chemical products tolerated by most.
Researchers have suggested that MCS is a
chronic and disabling condition, unlike a mere annoyance from an allergy which
most of us are able to understand more easily.
Skovbjerg and colleagues were interested in
the details of the impact of MCS on everyday life in men and woman who have had
MCS for at least one year.
Skovbjerg says, “MCS may severely influence
different aspects of everyday life, including lifestyle, social relations, and
occupational conditions.”
The most common coping strategy is to
avoid common airborne chemicals and create a chemical-free living space. This involves a reduction of both work and
social activities, not to mention daily tasks of living such as shopping.
The average experience with the healthcare
system is rated poorly among people with MCS, largely due to physician’s lack
of adequate training in toxicology and, thus, dismissal of the symptoms by this population.
“If my doctor won’t even acknowledge my
symptoms,” says one woman with MCS, “how can he treat them?”
Another woman says, “Since I’ve had MCS, I
find that when I go to the doctor to get treatment, they always redirect the
visit to something else they understand better that I didn’t come in for, like
blood pressure or weight. It’s like they
don’t know what to do for the MCS, so they ignore it instead of just saying
they don’t know or referring me to a specialist who might know. It’s frustrating and dehumanizing. The doctor’s lack of knowledge affecting his
psyche is not of my concern. He should
be honest if he’s inexperienced in toxicology.”
Skovbjerg says further research is needed to add to
professional understanding of MCS in order to provide more satisfactory
healthcare. In the meantime, many with
MCS are left to keep trying new doctors and fend for themselves while in a
chronically disabled state.
Reference
Skovbjerg S, Brorson S, Rasmussen
A, Johansen JD, Elberling J. Impact of self-reported multiple chemical sensitivity on everyday life: a
qualitative study. Scand J Public Health. 2009 Aug;37(6):621-6.
Epub 2009 May 1.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Linked to
Retrovirus
By now the news that chronic fatigue
syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), has been linked
to a newly discovered retrovirus known as XMRV.
Researchers from the Whittemore Peterson Institute
(WPI) at the
“CFS/ME is a debilitating
disease that affects millions of people in the
"We now have evidence that a retrovirus named XMRV is frequently present
in the blood of patients with CFS. This discovery could be a major step in the
discovery of vital treatment options for millions of patients," said Judy Mikovits, Ph.D., director of research for WPI.
The catch is that though there
is an association between XMRV and CFS, it is not yet proven that XMRV causes
CFS.
This news brings mixed reviews from the community.
Some are enthusiastic that it
may lead to an easy blood test for diagnosing CFS/ME, which until now has been
a diagnosis of exclusion with no specific diagnostic tests. Though many tests for cytokines and
chemokines, among others can point to CFS/ME, it has only recently enjoyed
better recognition.
There have been many cases of
sufferers being accused of faking and being left unable to care for themselves
in the mistaken belief that when they are hungry or have to go to the bathroom,
they will get up. The identification of
a virus not only holds hope for better diagnostics and less abuse of patients,
but also for a possible cause and treatment to return patients to functioning.
Current treatments are poorly
rated by sufferers, largely because they are only energy management and coping
techniques and not genuine medical treatments.
On the other hand, there is concern
that the identification of XMRV is just a ploy for the pharmaceutical industry
to sell expensive retroviral drugs.
While this is possible, it’s unlikely as the founder of WPI has a
daughter who has suffered with CFS/ME for many years. Part of the reason Whittemore
founded the WPI was due to the lack of understanding and lack of diagnostic
biomarkers for CFS/ME.
Whittemore has clearly cautioned that this discovery
in no way assures that XMRV is the cause, just that it
occurs in a significant proportion of CFS/ME patients when compared to
controls.
Social Security Disability Awarded for
Mold Toxicity
In a landmark
case, a Social Security judge granted benefits for Kristina Townsend for a mold
exposure which resulted in her disability in 2007.
Townsend suffered both physical and cognitive impairments as a result of toxic
mold exposure and is no longer able to work in any substantial gainful
activity. She was awarded benefits
dating back to 2007.
Townsend’s physician testified that she
was colonized with mold from a contaminated residence her employer provided
while she was away from home on a temporary work assignment. A mycotoxin report confirmed elevated levels
of trichothecene in the residence.
Toxic mold exposure resulted in mycotoxiciosis, or toxic mold poisoning. Townsend now suffers form chemical
sensitivity, fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and other related injuries.
Townsend was cleared of any primary mental health disorders in an
assessment. Her symptoms have improved
slightly and she is scheduled for a disability review next year.
Aluminum Hydroxide in Vaccines Linked to
Neurological Damage
Just days after receipt of a 2009 flu
shot, Desiree Jennings, a Washington Redskins Ambassador, developed dystonia brought on by the vaccine according to her doctors
at John’s
As autism and Gulf War veterans with
fatigue and ailing health also abound, Americans increasingly question vaccine
safety in the face of a pharmaceutical industry and government which
consistently dismiss their concerns without providing any real evidence of
vaccine safety and efficacy.
Now, scientific evidence shows that
aluminum hydroxide, a vaccine adjuvant used to increase the response of the
immune system, leads to motor deficits and motor neuron degeneration, which may
be linked to Gulf War Syndrome and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a
multi-system disorder afflicting veterans the 1990-1991 Gulf War.
“Possible causes of GWS include several of
the adjuvants in the anthrax vaccine and others. The most likely culprit
appears to be aluminum hydroxide,” says Shaw and Petrik,
researchers at the Departments of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences,
Aluminum-treated mice in a new study
showed significant neuronal degeneration and the presence of aluminum in the
spine cord and cortex after being treated with aluminum hydroxide
preparations. This resulted in motor
function impairment and reduced spatial memory capacity.
Shaw says the treated mice showed a
consistent “pathological hallmark of various neurological diseases, including
Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia. The demonstrated neurotoxicity of aluminum
hydroxide and its relative ubiquity as an adjuvant suggest that greater
scrutiny by the scientific community is warranted.”
Aluminum hydroxide is a common vaccine
adjuvant and can be found, along with mercury, in some flu vaccines.
Parents ought to closely
examine the safety and ingredients of vaccines and alternate preparations
before consenting to vaccination of their child.
Reference
Resources and Support
MCS
MCSA
Public
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mcsa-public/
Open to the general public open to discuss MCS,
support, ideas, information, announcements, news and activism. No
application is required.
MCS
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mcs-america-members-support
This group also fulfills the function of discuss support, ideas, information, announcements, and/or share personal activism like the MCSA-Pubic group, only with a closed membership that requires a membership application. This group also has the added benefit of being a place where individuals and other organizations and activists can engage in collaborative efforts with MCS America and being recipient to all the news feeds (see MCSA Feeds below). Members of this group are considered associate members of MCS America. Members do not operate MCS America in any way, but rather collaborate with the organization and are privy to some internal operations, activities, and events.
MCSA
Feeds
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mcsafeeds
The purpose of this public access group is to receive daily distribution of news and research studies on multiple chemical sensitivity, chemical injury, environmental concerns, and other related environmental illnesses and disorders. Anyone can join without an application. Only the moderator posts to this group. This is not a discussion group. This group distributes about 15 articles on average each day.
MCS
Salvage and Share
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MCSA-safer-salvage-and-share
A public access group similar to Freecycle,
except it's a free recycling program for safer reusable's
geared towards individuals with MCS, CFS, FM, and other related disabilities
correlated with the environment. The purpose of this program is to find,
give, and recycle needed "safe" or "safer" items. All
items are exchanged for free. Shipping cost are arranged between donor and
recipient. Anyone can join without an application.
Multiple
Chemical Sensitivities and Toxic Injury
http://groups.google.com/group/mcs-ti
This
is a small non-Yahoo based group open to the general public to discuss MCS,
support, ideas, information, announcements, news and activism.
MCS
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mcs-hawaii
Open to the general public residing in
MCS
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MCS-Nebraska
Open to the general public residing in
or subscribe at:
MCS
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mcs-michigan
Open to the general public residing in
Support Forums Outside the
MCS
4Mom
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/4MOM/
According to
Bay
Area MCS
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/bayareamcslist/
Classified
ads and notices for people with MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) in the San
Francisco Bay Area.
CFS
CFIDS ME
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CFS_CFIDS_ME/
This
Group is to promote friendly discussion about places where people have gone and
feel more or less recovered from CFS/ME/CFIDS.
Chemical
Disability Australasian NETwork
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CDANET/
A
Discussion/Chat/Mutual help list run by and for the chemically disabled.
CMCS-EI
Christian MCS, CFS, FM, and EI Group
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CMCS-EI/
We are
a Christian group who have invisible illnesses like MCS (multiple chemical
sensitivity) or Environmental Illnesses like Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ( CFS ),
Fibromyalgia ( FM ), GWS, Lupus, Anxiety, etc.
Creative
Canaries Community
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/CreativeCanariesCommunity
This group is an online meeting place for creative artists with Chemical Sensitivities. We offer connections between - and information for - artists whose (artistic) life is affected by Chemical Sensitivities and the consequences they have.
Detox
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mcs-america-members-support
"Detox"
is a group to serve chemically injured, environmentally ill, multiple chemical
sensitivity, and related illness such as chronic fatigue, candidiasis,
hypoglycemia, lupus, and others.
Disinissues
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Disinissues/
The purpose of Disinissues is to share experience and advice about the processes of obtaining and maintaining Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and long-term disability insurance. The group is targeted mainly towards those with invisible disabilities, such as CFIDS and other conditions not on Social Security's Listing of Impairments.
EMF
Refugee
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/emfrefugee/
This
ML has been created with the intent of bringing refugees together in countries
around the world to form their own EMF-free communities in natural environments
where they can heal and create healing environments for the Earth and others.
Environmental
Illness 001
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/environmental_illness001/
This
group is dedicated to curing / resolving all issues related to Environmental
Illness, including but not limited to: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS),
Multiple Food Allergy, Leaky Gut Syndrome, Candida, Epstein Barr Virus, Chronic
Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Heavy Metal Poisoning, Porphyria, endocrine system
dysregulation, etc.
eSens - Electrical
Sensitivity
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/eSens/
Do you feel ill when you're near computers, cell phones, fluorescent lights, or
wireless internet? If so, you may have "electrical sensitivity".
Gasslist-L (Glutaraldehyde, Aldehyde,
and Solvent Sensitivity)
http://www.ncchem.com/snftaas/gasslist.htm
This
list has been established to serve persons interested in Glutaraldehyde,
Aldehyde, and Solvent Sensitivity, especially
darkroom personnel, radiographers, and diagnostic medical sonographers. The
purpose of the list is to promote internet-wide exchange of research and
information.
Green
Canary
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GreenCanary
This
list is dedicated to a life free from toxic chemicals, and the health problems
that they can cause. Here we can come together and share the information
and experiences that have taught each of us a piece of the knowledge necessary
to survive and thrive, eliminating unnecessary toxic chemicals from our lives,
and replacing them with the elements of health and the alternatives offered by
the natural world around us.
Immune
http://immuneweb.org/lists/immune.html
This
is the list for support and information about multiple chemical sensitivities,
chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, lupus, multiple sclerosis, porphyria,
allergies, asthma, and other immune-related ailments.
Immune
Parenting
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/immune-parenting/
This
list is for both men and women who have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Chronic Fatigue
Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, autoimmune disorders, or other immune system medical
issues--or their partners--who are parents, pregnant, trying to conceive, or
who are thinking about parenthood.
Live
Chat at the Health and
This chatroom is not
associated with any group. It is unmoderated and no password is required. Chat
Times: Saturday - 7 pm ET, 6 pm CT, 5 pm Mtn, 4 pm
Pac; Monday - 9 pm ET, 8 pm CT, 7 pm Mtn, 6 pm Pac;
Wednesday - 8 pm ET, 7 pm CT, 6 pm Mtn, 5 pm
MCS
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MCS-Canada/
This group
was formed to assist patients and concerned parties from all nationalities
learn to cope with environmental injury, including disorders such as
MCS
Canadian Sources
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MCS-CanadianSources
MCS
Canadian Sources is a support, information and resource exchange for those
living and coping with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Environmental
Illness (EI), or Chemical Injury (CI).
MCS
Photography
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MCSphotography/
MCS
Photography is a group for those with multiple chemical sensitivity who capture
and share the world and their life through photography.
MCS
Recycle
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MCSRecycle/
The
objective of this group is to be able to share with each other items that are
chemical free and have been used in a non-toxic environment. This group is
planet-wide.
MCS
Safe Shelter
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mcssafeshelterusa/
Short-term
and long-term housing for people with MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity).
Check our database for listings by state. (Please use the two-digit code.) Find
rentals, hotels, and housing to purchase.
MCS
Survivors
http://communityzero.com/mcsurvivors
For those who
experience environmental illness or multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), here
is a place to gather, exchange ideas, links to helpful websites, even have live
chats. Enjoy!
MCS Toxic Injuries
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MCS-Toxic-Injuries/
MCS-Toxic-Injuries
is a self-moderated, secular, apolitical newsgroup for toxically-injured
environmentally sensitive people to support one another and exchange coping
methods, treatments and experiences.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MCSVillage/
The purpose
of this group is to discuss the feasibility of building a village(s)or
community in which MCS/EI patients can live safely, and to provide a forum in
which the legal, medical, geographic, architectural, social and funding issues
relating to building such a community(ies) or
village(s) may be discussed and resolved.
MCS
Writers Group
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/mcswritersgroup/
A
place for writers who have chemical sensitivities (or chemical injury) to share
their stories and articles, work on and develop public writing skills, exchange
editing skills and perspective, and develop ideas in order to bring awareness
and education to the published world about what it is like to live with
MCS/ES/CI/EI.
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MO-MCS/
Midwest
Oasis MCS E-mail Support is the e-mail arm of the Midwest Oasis MCS Support
Group. Although people from all geographical areas are welcome to join, a
partial focus of this list will be discussion of regional issues affecting MCS
(Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) in
Multiple
Chemical Sensitivity (Chemical Sensitivity, Porphyrin & CO)
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/MultipleChemicalSensitivity/
Discussion
group where people afflicted with Chemical Sensitivity, Chronic Carbon Monoxide
Poisoning &/or Disorders of Porphyrin Metabolism can talk about their
illness, inquire with others on avoidance, methods of cleaning & products
one can use for necessary hygiene.
Old
Dominion MCS-FMS_CFIDS Support Group · A Virginia Fibro MCS CFIDS Group
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OldDominionMCS-FMS_CFIDSsupportgroup/
Too
many people in
Planet
Thrive
A
dynamic online community for those activity seeking answers and support for a
variety of health concerns. A place where people around the world help
each other get well and stay well.
Sick
Buildings
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/sickbuildings/
Toxic
molds are running rampant in our homes, offices and schools. Exposure to
mycotoxins has been linked to the death of infants, as well as
immune-compromised adults. Despite increasing reports of mold-induced illness
and health problems associated with mold exposure, our public health agencies
offer little, if any support or funding for research into this growing problem.
Sprayno
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sprayno/
This
is a list to exchange information regarding environmental issues in the
northern suburbs and NY metro area focusing especially on encouraging activism
in this area and educating the public about toxic effects of pesticide/herbicide
usage.
Tenth
Paradigm Society
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/TenthParadigmSociety/
The
Tenth Paradigm Society mailing list is for the dissemination and discussion of
information concerning the NO/ONOO- cycle mechanism, a new paradigm of human
disease, proposed by Martin L. Pall, Ph.D. Dr. Pall adopted the term
"Multisystem Illness" to describe those diseases that fall under the
tenth paradigm. They include: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS/CFIDS/M.E.),
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), Fibromyalgia (FM/FMS), Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Gulf War Syndrome (GWS).
The
Sanctuary
http://www.mcs-international.org/phpBB3/
MCS-International.Org's Holistic Support Forums For sufferers of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and all other forms of Chemical Injury and Environmental Illness.
Toxics Discussion
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ToxicsDiscussion/
If you're keen on a toxics-safe future for the planet, then this is the
discussion group for you. Toxics are defined here as naturally occurring or
man-made chemicals (elements/compounds/mixtures) that have a toxic effect.
WSMCSN
(
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WSMCSN
WSMCSN
is a decentralized network of groups and individuals in
Additional
Forum Listing Webpage
http://ww.mcs-america.org/forums
Physician & Dentist Referral Lists
Physician Referral List by State
http://mcs-america.org/doctorlist.pdf
Proper medical care is most crucial to recovery for individuals with MCS. Some of the physicians on this list specialize in MCS, others in FM and CFS. It is recommended that patients and doctors consult with one another prior to beginning any treatment to ensure understanding of the patient’s needs and compatibility of patient and physician.
Dentist Referral List by State
http://mcs-america.org/dentistlist.pdf
Dental care is often challenging for individuals with MCS. Dental materials may cause reactions and should be tested for biocompatibility prior to use. A holistic dentist Is generally more familiar with the needs of individuals with MCS. Some of the dentists on this list are specifically familiar with MCS, others are not. It is recommended that patients and dentists consult with one another prior to beginning any treatment to ensure understanding of the patient’s needs and compatibility of patient and dentist.
Air Quality Reports
Air Now Air Quality Reports
http://www.epa.gov/iaq/whereyoulive.html
The National Association of Clean Air
Agencies 4 Cleaner Air
American Lung Association:
State of the Air
http://lungaction.org/reports/stateoftheair2007.htm
Current Local & National Allergy
Levels
http://pollen.com/Pollen.com.asp
Scorecard:
Pollution Index by Area
Toxmap Hazardous Waste
Site Locations
http://toxmap.nlm.nih.gov/toxmap/main/index.jsp
http://www.firedetect.noaa.gov/viewer.htm
Antenna Search (
http://mcs-america.org/index_files/www.AntennaSearch.com
EPA Safe Drinking Water Information by
State
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/dwinfo/
EPA Radon Zone Map
http://www.epa.gov/radon/zonemap.html
Brochures
Air Fresheners & Plug-Ins
http://mcs-america.org/airfresh.pdf
Chemical in Air Fresheners Reduces Lung Function
http://mcs-america.org/lung.pdf
Consequences of Childhood Chemical Injury Poster By Margaret S. O’Nan
http://mcs-america.org/onan.pdf
Electrosensitivity Brochure by Kato Yasuko
http://mcs-america.org/KatoYasukoElectrosensitivityBrochure.doc
Fabric Softener
http://mcs-america.org/fabricsoftener.pdf
Fragrances
http://mcs-america.org/fragrances.pdf
Grandma’s Cupboard: General
Cleaning Solutions
http://www.mcs-america.org/general.pdf
Grandma’s Cupboard: Kitchen
Cleaning
http://www.mcs-america.org/kitchen.pdf
Grandma’s Cupboard: Personal
Care
http://www.mcs-america.org/personal.pdf
Grandma’s Cupboard: Laundry
http://www.mcs-america.org/laundry.pdf
Household Mold brochure from
http://publications.msss.gouv.qc.ca/acrobat/f/documentation/2002/02-214-01A.pdf
ILRU: Understanding &
Accommodating People with MCS in Everyday Living
http://mcs-america.org/ilru.pdf
Indoor Air Chemistry
http://mcs-america.org/indoorair.pdf
Interior Design and MCS
http://mcs-america.org/interior.pdf
Jill Mellum: Breathe Easier, Hold the Fragrances Brochure
http://mcs-america.org/fragrancefacts.pdf
MCS Task Force of
http://mcs-america.org/newmexico.pdf
MCS Public Accommodations
http://www.nettally.com/prusty/PUBLIC%20ACCOMMODATIONS.pdf
MCS Statistics
http://www.mcs-america.org/MCSStatistics.pdf
No Scents Makes Sense Brochure
http://www.nb.lung.ca/pdf/NoScentsMakeSense.pdf
Theory on the Cause of MCS:
Peroxynitrite and Nitric Oxide
http://www.mcs-america.org/cause.pdf
Understanding Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
http://www.mcs-america.org/understanding.pdf
Use of Baking Soda as a Fungicide
http://mcs-america.org/fungicide.pdf
Vaccine Poster - Are We Poisoning Our Children?
http://www.generationrescue.org/pdf/080212.pdf
Visiting a Person with MCS
http://mcs-america.org/visiting.pdf
What you should know before visiting a person who has NRLA and/or MCS
http://mcs-america.org/VisitingNRLA-MCS.pdf
Signs
Acute Toxic Effects of Fragrances Business
Card
http://mcs-america.org/acutetoxiceffectsoffragrancescard.pdf
Chemical Awareness Ribbon
http://mcs-america.org/ribbon.gif
Electrosensitivity Sign - Please
Turn Off Your Cell Phone
http://mcs-america.org/KatoYasukoElectrosensitivtySignTurnOffYourCellPhone.pdf
Facemask on Tweety
http://mcs-america.org/tweety.jpg
Fragrance Free Sign: Brooks University
http://www.brocku.ca/oehs/graphics/Fragrance_Free_Sign.pdf
No Scents Makes Sense Sign
http://mcs-america.org/scentssign.pdf
No Latex Sign by Jane Sagmoe
http://mcs-america.org/nolatex.JPG
You Could Be Next Sign
http://mcs-america.org/nextsign.pdf
Want to Put Your Friends and Family in
Jail?
http://mcs-america.org/jail.pdf
Wood Smoke Trespass Flyer 8 1/2 x 11
http://mcs-america.org/woodsmokeflyer.pdf
Activist Materials
Fragrances on Mail and/or Catalogs
http://mcs-america.org/FragrancedMailCatalogBillsLetterforActivists.doc
Air Freshener Use
http://www.mcs-america.org/customairfreshenerletter.doc
Use of Fragrance,
http://mcs-america.org/UseofFragranceLetterforActivists.doc
Fabric Softener Emissions
http://www.mcs-america.org/LetterAboutFabricSoftener.doc
Letter to State Representatives to Ban
Woodsmoke
http://mcs-america.org/woodsmoke.doc
Letter to Doctors and Medical Boards
Supporting MCS as a biological Illness (fully cited and scientifically
supported)
Website:
http://mcs-america.org/MCSPositionStatement.htm
PDF:
http://mcs-america.org/MCSPositionStatement.pdf
*This work is copyrighted. Permission granted for personal use in
activism provided that original copyright and authorship are maintained. For permission to reprint, mail admin@mcs-america.org.
Request for Accommodations Under the
Americans with Disabilities Act
http://www.mcs-america.org/RequestforAccomodation.doc
Public Service Announcements
Public Service Announcement #1
Air fresheners have been pulled off thousands of shelves nation-wide!
http://www.mcs-america.org/AirFreshenerPSA1.pdf
Public Service Announcement #2
When you use fragranced products, did you know you are
wearing toxic chemicals!?
http://www.mcs-america.org/WhenYouUseFragrancedProductsPSA2.pdf
Public Service Announcement #3
Secondhand Fragrances are Like Secondhand Smoke!
http://www.mcs-america.org/SecondHandFragrancesPSA3.pdf
Public Service Announcement #4
Scented laundry detergents and fabric softeners pollute indoor and outdoor air!
http://www.mcs-america.org/ScentedLaundryDetergentsPSA4.pdf
Public Service Announcement #4 (SPANISH)
Scented laundry detergents and fabric softeners pollute indoor and outdoor air!
http://mcs-america.org/mcsamerica/ScentedLaundryDetergentsPSA4Spanish.pdf
Public Service Announcement #5
Wood Smoke... The Other Secondhand Smoke!
http://www.mcs-america.org/WoodSmokePSA5BurningIssues.pdf
Public Service Announcement #6
Fragrances undermine public health!
http://www.mcs-america.org/FragrancesPSA6.pdf
Public Service Announcement #7
Fragranced Laundry Products Pollute Our
Air
http://mcs-america.org/PSA7FragrancedLaundry.pdf
Clothing & Novelties for
Activism
MCS
http://www.mcs-america.org/MCSstore..htm
Zona’s T-Shirts and Stuff Zone
http://members.shaw.ca/zonaszone/shop/tshirts.html
Virtual & Work-at-Home
Jobs
Agent, Staffing at Home
http://www.staffingathome.com/
Agent,
West at Home
Agent, Working Solutions
http://www.workingsol.com/home.htm
Blogger, PayPerPost.com
http://payperpost.com/blogger_signup.html
http://www.accoladesupport.com/
Caller Employee, Customer Loyalty Concepts
http://www.customloyal.com/Employment.aspx
Chef Instructor, Chefs Line
Customer Care, VIP Desk
http://www.vipdesk.com/info/default.asp
Customer Service, Alpine Access
http://www.alpineaccess.com/external/index.html
Editor,
EditFast.com
Expert,
JustAnswer Corp
Freelancer, Team Double-Click
http://www.teamdoubleclick.com/freelance.html
Guide, About .com
Guide, ChaCha
Home Agent, Convergys
http://www.convergysworkathome.com/
Telemarketing, Intrep Sales
Partners
Online Juror, eJury.com
Online Juror,
OnlineVerdict.com
Online Juror, Trial Practice
Inc.
Third Party Verifier, BSG Payments LLC
Virtual Assistant, Virtual
Office Temps
http://virtualassistantjobs.com/
Virtual Services, Arise
Virtual Solutions
http://www.arise.com/Content/default.asp
Writer, Associated Content
http://www.associatedcontent.com/
Writer, CyberEdit
Inc.
Writer, MyEssays.com
http://www.myessays.com/sell.php
National
Telecommuting Institute, Inc.
Environmentally Safer
Housing
Allergy And Environmental Health
Association Of
http://www.aeha-quebec.ca/bb_housingproject.htm
Barrhaven Non-Profit Housing Inc.
Environmental Sensitivity Units
Steepleview Crossing,
(613) 823-6230 Fax: (613)
825-7724
http://ehaontario.ca/barrhaven-housing.htm
Canada-wide
Housing Connection
1-613-278-0463
http://ehaontario.ca/interview.htm
Ecology House,
(415) 456-4453
Escalante House
Phone/Fax: (435) 826-4778
toripat@color-country.net
Green Homes for
Safe Haven Community Housing
http://www.geocities.com/safehavencommunity/#ntact
The Pandora Initiative (
Quail Haven - MCS Housing
Just North of Tuscon, AZ
Call Diane Ensign for details:
May through January call: (406) 586-3658 (
January through May call: (520) 825-7276 (
http://madelinx.tripod.com/
Seagoville Ecology Housing
(972) 287-2059 Fax: (972)
287-7682
http://www.ehcd.com/resources/ecologyhousing.html
The
954-428-5438
http://www.thenaturalplace.com/default.htm
Safer Building &
Regulations
American Lung Association: Resources & Referrals for and from the
Master Home Environmentalist program.
http://tinyurl.com/5vvk9e
Architectural House Plans Healthy Homes
Construction Guidelines
Information: http://tinyurl.com/6dteuz
Booklet:
http://www.architecturalhouseplans.com/products/
Assessment of the
Indoor Air Quality of a Suite for an Environmentally Hypersensitive Occupant
http://mcs-america.org/IAQforanEIOccupant.pdf
Considerations For
Safer Construction And Renovation By
http://www.environmentalhealth.ca/w9394safer.html
Dr. Grace Ziem’s Environmental Control
Plan for MCS Patients
http://www.mcsrr.org/resources/articles/S3.html
The
The Effect of Housing on Individuals with
Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
Building for Health Materials Center
http://www.buildingforhealth.com/
Environmental Home Center
http://tinyurl.com/5ssv8a
Heal Your
The Healthy Housing
Coalition: Basic Needs for Rental
Housing for Chemically Sensitive Persons
http://www.herc.org/hhc/Basicrentalneeds.html
Healthy Housing Practical Tips
IEQ Indoor
Environmental Quality
http://ieq.nibs.org/ieq_project.pdf
International Institute for Building
Biology and Ecology
http://www.buildingbiology.net/
LEED®
http://www.cagbc.org/leed/systems/index.htm
The Medical Perspective on Environmental
Sensitivities: Building codes,
regulations and guidelines
Moving House - Things To Look For If You
Suffer From MCS
http://www.drmyhill.co.uk/article.cfm?id=147
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS): The
Controversy and Relation to Interior Design
http://www.idec.org/publication/JIDarticleMCS.pdf
Optimum Environments for Optimum Health
&Creativity: Designing and Building a Healthy Home or Office, William J.
Rea, M.D.
http://www.ehcd.com/books/home_building_designing.html
Recommended Architectural Features for
Multi-Family Housing to Better Accommodate Chemical and Electrical
Sensitivities, Susan Molloy, M.A,
http://www.ctaz.com/~bhima/recommcshous.htm
Research House for the Environmentally
Hypersensitive
Safer Construction Tips for the
Environmentally Sensitive
Understanding & Accommodating People
with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Independent Living, Chapter 4, The
Housing Challenge in MCS
http://www.ilru.org/html/publications/bookshelf/MCS.html#chapter4
http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/2008NHHC.cfm
Builders and Building
Material Suppliers
http://www.greenbuildingstore.co.uk/naturalpaints.php
Healthy Buildings, Inc (Air Quality
Testing)
http://www.healthybuilding.com/html/about_us.html
Resources for the Chemically Injured:
Building Materials
http://www.lassentech.com/eibuld.html
Tad Taylor’s Healthy Homes, LLC
Other Housing Resources
Extreme Home Makeover
http://abc.go.com/primetime/xtremehome/index?pn=apply
Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program
for Persons with Disabilities (Canada).
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/prfinas/prfinas_003.cfm
Disclaimer
This date is
for informational purposes and is not intended to replace the examination,
diagnosis and treatment of a licensed physician and no such claims are
inferred. MCS
Community News
Subscribe to News
& Media Articles
To receive free daily news and research feeds about MCS & the environment
as they happen,
send an e-mail to:
mcsafeeds-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Everyday chemicals gather in most people
http://www.adn.com/life/health/story/977595.html
US town uses goats to clear overgrown meadow through grazing, save mowing money
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/Oddities/091017/K101706AU.html
Petition takes aim at chemical drift
http://www.pjstar.com/news/x795735041/Petition-takes-aim-at-chemical-drift
Smog Tougher on the Obese
http://www.cbc.ca/cp/HealthScout/091016/6101625AU.html
How to Avoid PVC in Plastic Food Wrap
http://thesoftlandingbaby.com/2009/10/16/how-to-avoid-pvc-in-plastic-food-wrap/
Tests on Pesticides Criticized
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-dc-pesticides-omb,0,5782714,print.story
UJudge Halts Flu Vaccine Mandate For Health Workers
http://wcbstv.com/breakingnewsalerts/mandatory.h1n1.vaccine.2.1252672.html
Momentum builds for tighter regulation of industrial chemicals
http://michiganmessenger.com/27861/momentum-builds-for-tighter-regulation-of-industrial-chemicals
Common Herbicides Block Important Nutrient
Sensor in Humans
http://www.beyondpesticides.org/dailynewsblog/?p=2559
Air Pollution Worse On
One Side Of The Street
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/10/091005102643.htm
Virus Is Found in Many With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/09/health/research/09virus.html?_r=1&hpw
Featured
Research Studies
Low home ventilation rate in combination with
moldy odor from the building structure increase the risk for allergic symptoms
in children.
Hägerhed-Engman L, Sigsgaard
T, Samuelson I, Sundell J, Janson
S, Bornehag CG.
Indoor Air. 2009 Jun;19(3):184-92. Epub 2009 Mar 9.
Department of Building Physics and Indoor Environment, SP Technical Research
Institute of
There are consistent findings on associations between asthma and allergy
symptoms and residential mold and moisture. However, definitions of 'dampness'
in studies are diverse because of differences in climate and building
construction. Few studies have estimated mold problems inside the building structure
by odor assessments. In a nested case-control study of 400 Swedish children,
observations and measurements were performed in their homes by inspectors, and
the children were examined by physicians for diagnoses of asthma, eczema, and
rhinitis. In conclusion, we found an association between moldy odor along the
skirting board and allergic symptoms among children, mainly rhinitis. No
associations with any of the allergic symptoms were found for discoloured stains, 'floor dampness' or a general mold odor
in the room. A moldy odor along the skirting board can be a proxy for hidden
moisture problem inside the outer wall construction or in the foundation
construction. There are indications that such dampness problems increase the
risk for sensitization but the interpretation of data in respect of
sensitization is difficult as about 80% of the children with rhinitis were
sensitized. Furthermore, low ventilation rate in combination with moldy odor
along the skirting board further increased the risk for three out of four
studied outcomes, indicating that the ventilation rate is an effect modifier
for indoor pollutants.
PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This study showed that mold odor at the skirting board
level is strongly associated with allergic symptoms among children. Such odor
at that specific place can be seen as a proxy for some kind of hidden moisture
or mold problem in the building structure, such as the foundation or wooden
ground beam. In houses with odor along the skirting board, dismantling of the
structure is required for an investigation of possible moisture damage,
measurements, and choice of actions. In homes with low ventilation in
combination with mold odor along the skirting board, there was even a higher
risk of health effects. This emphasizes the need for the appropriate
remediation as this is an ever increasing problem in poorly ventilated houses
that are damp.
PMID: 19298228 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Elevated
insular glutamate in fibromyalgia is associated with experimental pain.
Arthritis Rheum. 2009 Sep 29;60(10):3146-3152.
Harris RE, Sundgren PC, Craig AD,
Kirshenbaum E, Sen A, Napadow
V, Clauw DJ.
OBJECTIVE: Central pain augmentation
resulting from enhanced excitatory and/or decreased inhibitory
neurotransmission is a proposed mechanism underlying the pathophysiology
of functional pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia (FM). Multiple functional
magnetic resonance imaging studies implicate the insula
as a region of heightened neuronal activity in this condition. Since glutamate
(Glu) is a major cortical excitatory neurotransmitter
that functions in pain neurotransmission, we undertook this study to test our
hypothesis that increased levels of insular Glu would
be present in FM patients and that the concentration of this molecule would be
correlated with pain report.
METHODS: Nineteen FM patients and 14 age- and sex-matched pain-free controls
underwent pressure pain testing and a proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy
session in which the right anterior insula and right
posterior insula were examined at rest.
RESULTS: Compared with healthy controls, FM patients had significantly higher levels of Glu
(mean +/- SD 8.09 +/- 0.72 arbitrary institutional units versus 6.86 +/- 1.29
arbitrary institutional units; P = 0.009) and combined glutamine and Glu (i.e., Glx) (mean +/- SD
12.38 +/- 0.94 arbitrary institutional units versus 10.59 +/- 1.48 arbitrary
institutional units; P = 0.001) within the right posterior insula.
No significant differences between groups were detected in any of the other
major metabolites within this region (P > 0.05 for all comparisons), and no
group differences were detected for any metabolite within the right anterior insula (P > 0.11 for all comparisons). Within the right
posterior insula, higher levels of Glu and Glx were associated with
lower pressure pain thresholds across both groups for medium pain (for Glu, r = -0.43, P = 0.012; for Glx,
r = -0.50, P = 0.003).
CONCLUSION: Enhanced glutamatergic
neurotransmission resulting from higher concentrations of Glu
within the posterior insula may play a role in the pathophysiology of FM and other central pain augmentation
syndromes.
PMID: 19790053 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Quantitative volatile metabolite profiling of
common indoor fungi: relevancy for indoor air analysis.
Schuchardt S, Kruse H.
J Basic Microbiol. 2009 Aug;49(4):350-62.
Microorganisms such as
bacteria and molds producean enormous variety of
volatile metabolites.
To determine whether typical microbial volatile metabolites can be used as
indicator compounds for the detection of hidden mold in indoor environments, we
examined 14 typical indoor fungal strains for their growth rates and their
capability to produce volatile organic compounds (VOC) on standard clinical
media and on agar medium made from building materials. Air samples from
Headspace Chambers (HSC) were adsorbed daily on Tenax
TA tubes and analyzed by thermal desorption gas
chromatography and mass spectrometry. In parallel, metabolic activity was
measured by determining oxygen demand, the microbial
biomass was assessed by dry weighing. Profiling of the volatile metabolites
showed that VOC production depended greatly on fungal strain, culture medium,
biological activity, and time. The laboratory-derived maximum emission rates
were extrapolated to approximate indoor air concentrations in a hypothetical
mold-infested room. The extrapolated indoor air data suggest that most of the
microbial-produced VOC concentrations were below the analytical detection limit
for conventional indoor air analysis. Additionally, conducted indoor air
analysis in mold homes confirmed these findings for the most part. The present
findings raise doubts about the utility of indicator VOC for the detection of
hidden mold growth in indoor environments. 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag
GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.
PMID: 19219900 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Disclaimer
This newsletter is for informational purposes and is not
intended to replace the examination, diagnosis and treatment of a licensed
physician and no such claims are inferred.
Articles are not necessarily the opinion of MCS America and printing of
others’ opinions does not constitute endorsement. MCS America, Lourdes Salvador, Board Members,
and associate members of MCS America will not be responsible for misuse of this
information.
We welcome appropriate submissions for articles,
letters-to-the-editor, poetry, artwork, jokes, cartoons, photos, and whatever
else is physically printable. Submissions may be sent to publisher@mcs-america.org. We attempt to publish monthly.
Contact Us: admin@mcs-america.org
To subscribe to this free newsletter,
send an email to: subscriptions@mcs-america.org
Copyrighted © 2009 MCS