Dioxin Ukrainian Style

The  second  installment  in  a  two  part  series  on dioxin.

The September, 2004, assassination attempt of Ukrainian Presidential candidate Viktor Yushchenko sent shock waves around the world. At the time, Yushchenko was engaged in a bitter political battle for the future of the Ukraine from Russian dominance. Initial reports of poisoning by dioxin were disbelieved. After all, who would use dioxin as a murder weapon? While the world speculated, Yushchenko was quietly secreted away to an Austrian clinic where he remained for weeks undergoing medical treatment. But for what illness?

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Member Spotlight:  Deborah Howery

How long have you had MCS?

Around 20 to 25  years. Unlike most people, my onset was very insidious, so that at first, I often mistook reactions for classic allergies. However, medications for classical asthma & allergies all caused worse reactions than the original reactions. Neither I nor my doctors knew about MCS back then, either, so I was pretty much in the dark as to what was happening to me. They sure didn't teach us about MCS in nursing school during the early 80's.

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MCS Case Definition Workshop Synopsis

The MCS Case Definition Workshop was held August 4-6 in Burlingame, California -- literally in my back yard.  Since most of you were aware of the conference, but were unable to attend, I thought you may be curious about the outcome and where we go from here.   Therefore, I thought I would attempt just a brief synopsis for your benefit.  Please keep in mind this is just an overview of 3 days of intense work and is not intended to provide in-depth details. 

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Fragrance Free Personal Hygiene Tips

As society became industrialized manufacturers seeking a bigger share of profit began to add scents to products to attract buyers and ensure sales.  The cost of adding natural scents was high and manufacturers soon turned to synthetic fragrances and additives to keep costs down.  The advent of the synthetic fragrance has changed the health of many unknowing and trusting buyers.  Here are a few fragrance free personal care tips.

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Works of Art, Poems, etc.

Ann's artistic pursuits include painting in acrylic and watercolor as well as collage; Lighthouse was her first painting.  She hopes to be able to resume her art when her MCS is better controlled.  She gains the courage to face each day from the wonderful and caring people she has met on the MCS/CI lists on the web. You can view more of Ann's art at http://www.angelfire.com/magic2/anniegal/

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Ion Foot Baths

An Ion Foot Bath is a self contained machine that helps detoxify our bodies through the use of brass and stainless steel electrodes that draws the bodies toxic waste matter out through the pores of our feet into a gentle bath of warm salt water (Adams 2002 - 2006).  Sea salt is sprinkled into the water as a conductor of crystalline energy helping to stabilize the water field and draw the waste out of the body to itself, thus providing the body with a balanced and yet, gentle way or purging and detoxifying itself without hidden stressors. 

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Emergency Kits for MCSers “E-Kits”

The recent medical crisis experienced by Sal, Director of MCS America, reminded me of how vulnerable all of us are in the MCS community when it comes to medical treatment. A mild infection can easily transform into a serious medical crisis for anyone of us. Factor in the limits placed on our lives such as fixed income, isolation from friends and family, rural locations, compromised immune systems, chronic fatigue, and no access to safe medical care and you may have a recipe for disaster when a medical problem manifests quickly.

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Indigo Canary:  A Story of an MCS Child’s Tribulations at School

As I watched my oldest daughter graduate and leave for college; I prepped myself for my youngest son’s entrance into school.  It was a time of great emotional turmoil with surges of sadness and joy; yet another transition in life’s journey.

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Sal’s Place

Welcome to the second monthly issue of MCS Voice.  Our little 4 page newsletter has expanded and is continuing to grow into a small magazine.  This is wonderful news for the MCS community as it means we are collaborating and joining hands to gain recognition of our condition. 

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Inside MCS America

MCS America is growing in leaps and bounds!  In the past month we’ve added 11 new members from varying states to our members group.

MCS America is now umbrellaed under a 501(c)(3), an official non-profit agency. We are able to accept donations and all proceeds go towards our cause and are tax deductible. We have future plans to start a slush fund for MCSers who are in trouble and need assistance.

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Have You Heard This?

Contributed by Jen West:

 1. Yeah but I put my perfume on this morning so you couldn’t be smelling that.
 2. But, I only wear perfume when I go out.
 3. But, my perfume is by Ralph Lauren.

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Letters to the Editor

CPS Showed Up at My Door!

My son and I have both had toxic mold exposure in our buildings and now are chemically sensitized to all molds/chemicals.

My son is much worse than I am. He reacts to the print in books/fresh copies from our printer, all art supplies, paints, chalks, etc. I am now home schooling him through an online program but he still has problems with the books/paper/ and even pencils. 

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Community News Web Links

Senate Panel Weighs Toxic Chemicals Law

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-toxics3aug03,1,1458223.story

EPA Bans Lindane for Use as Pesticide

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-lindane2aug02,1,7604837.story

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Products and Services

I Can Breath Masks

www.icanbreathe.com

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Featured Web Links

Responses to Errors Prevalent In Understanding Environmental Illness

http://www.environmentalhealth.ca/Ross2000.html

CHE Toxicant & Disease Database

http://database.healthandenvironment.org/index.cfm

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