Multiple chemical sensitivity and idiopathic environmental intolerance (part one)

Watanabe, Mitsuyasu; Tonori, Hideki; Aizawa, Yoshifusa

doi:10.1007/bf02908885

Cited by 10 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 95 publications

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“…Our study focused on all fertile-aged women attending a birth clinic of the Kuopio central hospital region. We focused on women because they typically report EI more often than men [ 2 , 13 ]. Our study represents an age group in which EI is prevalent [ 2 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Environmental Intolerance, Symptoms and Disability Among Fertile-Aged Women

Vuokko

Karvala

Lampi

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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The purpose was to study the prevalence of environmental intolerance (EI) and its different manifestations, including behavioral changes and disability. Fertile-aged women (n = 680) of the Kuopio Birth Cohort Study were asked about annoyance to 12 environmental factors, symptoms and behavioral changes. We asked how much the intolerance had disrupted their work, household responsibilities or social life. We chose intolerance attributed to chemicals, indoor molds, and electromagnetic fields to represent typical intolerance entities. Of the respondents, 46% reported annoyance to chemicals, molds, or electromagnetic fields. Thirty-three percent reported symptoms relating to at least one of these three EIs, 18% reported symptoms that included central nervous system symptoms, and 15% reported behavioral changes. Indicating disability, 8.4% reported their experience relating to any of the three EIs as at least “somewhat difficult”, 2.2% “very difficult” or “extremely difficult”, and 0.9% “extremely difficult”. Of the latter 2.2%, all attributed their intolerance to indoor molds, and two thirds also to chemicals. As the number of difficulties increased, the number of organ systems, behavioral changes and overlaps of the three EIs also grew. EI is a heterogeneous phenomenon and its prevalence depends on its definition. The manifestations of EI form a continuum, ranging from annoyance to severe disability.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…EI is a heterogeneous condition with different degrees of severity that have been shown in clinical settings [ 13 ]. In population-based studies, the spectrum of EI is even wider and includes mild sensitivities such as annoyance to everyday odors, and is reflected by greatly varying prevalence rates [ 14 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Environmental Intolerance, Symptoms and Disability Among Fertile-Aged Women

Vuokko

Karvala

Lampi

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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“…In the development of MCS/IEI, initial exposure to high concentration of culprit chemical is important but not crucial, and not all initial symptoms of MCS/IEI are related to high concentration chemical exposure 5,6. Some possible mechanisms have been suggested for MCS/IEI development and propagation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Allergic Diseases and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Korean Adults

Jeong

Kim

Park

et al. 2014

Allergy Asthma Immunol Res

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PurposeMultiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a clinical syndrome representing multi-organ and psychological symptoms caused by chronic exposure to various chemicals in low concentrations. We evaluated the prevalence and related factors of MCS targeting Korean adults using the Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI©).MethodsA total of 446 participants were recruited from Severance Hospital. Participants underwent a questionnaire interview including questions on sociodemographic factors, occupational and environmental factors, allergic diseases, and the QEESI©. Among them, 379 participants completed the questionnaire and the QEESI©. According to the QEESI© interpretation results, participants were divided into very suggestive (VS) group and less suggestive (LS) group.ResultsThe estimated prevalence of MCS was higher in allergic patients than non-allergic participants (19.7% and 11.3%, respectively, P=0.04). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, ages of 30-39 (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.25-6.95) and those of 40-49 (OR, 2.51; 95% CI, 1.02-6.21) were significantly related to MCS compared to those aged less than 30 years. Female sex (OR, 2.16; 95% CI, 1.11-4.18), experience of dwelling in a new house (OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.04-4.03), and atopic dermatitis (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.04-3.69) were also significantly related to MCS. However, only age of 30-39 in the allergic group was significant in the stratified analysis.ConclusionsThe estimated prevalence of MCS was higher among allergic patients than non-allergic participants. People with experience of dwelling in a new house and atopic dermatitis were more at risk of being intolerant to chemicals. Further studies to provide the nationally representative prevalence data and clarify risk factors and mechanisms of MCS are required.

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“…In the work environment, Watanabe et al identified as at-risk categories users of chemicals, especially volatile compounds such as organic solvents, or workers belonging to certain categories such as farmers, construction workers, urban policemen, and hairdressers, but especially housewives [60]. Lucchini et al identified the professional categories most frequently affected by the syndrome as workers in industry in general (where it is easier to come into contact with chemicals) and in particular where solvents are used, as well as farmers, construction workers, policemen, hairdressers, housewives, and office workers [61].…”

Section: Mcs and Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and the Workplace: Current Position and Need for an Occupational Health Surveillance Protocol

Martini

Iavicoli

Corso

2013

Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity

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Multiple chemical sensitivity, commonly known as environmental illness, is a chronic disease in which exposure to low levels of chemicals causes correlated symptoms of varying intensity. With the continuous introduction of new substances, people with MCS suffer significant limitations to their living environment and frequently to their workplace. This paper describes the current situation as regards MCS and the critical points in its case definition, which is still not generally agreed upon; this makes it difficult to recognize with certainty, especially, its precise relationship with work. Other problems arise in relation to the occupational physician's role in diagnosing and managing the worker with the disorder, the question of low levels of exposure to chemicals, and the best measures possible to prevent it. A diagnostic “route” is proposed, useful as a reference for the occupational physician who is often called in first to identify cases suspected of having this disease and to manage MCS workers. Work-related problems for people with MCS depend not only on occupational exposure but also on the incompatibility between their illness and their work. More occupational physicians need to be “sensitive” to MCS, so that these workers are recognized promptly, the work is adapted as necessary, and preventive measures are promoted in the workplace.

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Multiple chemical sensitivity and idiopathic environmental intolerance (part one)

Cited by 10 publications

References 95 publications

Environmental Intolerance, Symptoms and Disability Among Fertile-Aged Women

Environmental Intolerance, Symptoms and Disability Among Fertile-Aged Women

Allergic Diseases and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Korean Adults

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and the Workplace: Current Position and Need for an Occupational Health Surveillance Protocol

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