Abstract
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), a condition also known as Chemical Sensitivity (CS), Chemical Intolerance (CI), Idiopathic Environmental Illness (IEI) and Toxicant Induced Loss of Tolerance (TILT), is an acquired multifactorial syndrome characterized by a recurrent set of debilitating symptoms. The symptoms of this controversial disorder are reported to be induced by environmental chemicals at doses far below those usually harmful to most persons. They involve a large spectrum of organ systems and typically disappear when the environmental chemicals are removed. However, no clear link has emerged among self-reported MCS symptoms and widely accepted objective measures of physiological dysfunction, and no clear dose-response relationship between exposure and symptom reactions has been observed. In addition, the underlying etiology and pathogenic processes of the disorder remain unknown and disputed, although biologic and psychologic hypotheses abound. It is currently debated whether MCS should be considered a clinical entity at all. Nevertheless, in the last few decades MCS has received considerable scientific and governmental attention in light of the many persons reporting this illness. In this review, we provide a general overview of the history, definition, demographics, prevalence, and etiologic challenges in defining and understanding MCS.
Highlights
We have provided a synopsis of what is presently known about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), including its history, definition, demographics, prevalence, and etiology
No uniform set of standard medical tests has yet been identified that can explain the multitude of multisystem complaints of most MCS patients, careful medical evaluations have resulted in redirecting a number of such patients into more traditional clinical entities, including those involving respiratory, dermatologic, gastrointestinal, and psychologic/somatization disorders
Significant advances have been made in the development of valid questionnaires and inventories useful for quantifying and identifying complaint clusters of MCS symptoms that may be of value in establishing causal associations and guiding therapies
Summary
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a controversial disorder in which patients claim to become ill from environmental exposure to low levels of largely petroleum-based and often unrelated chemicals, including cleaning products, detergents, diesel exhaust, formaldehyde, plastics, carpets, epoxy, pesticides, and some synthetic and natural fragrances [1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11]. Symptoms are generalized (a spreading effect) to a larger set of odoriferous substances or chemicals. In this phase when a body organ becomes involved, other organs subsequently follow [13]. The reader is referred elsewhere for other contemporary reviews that encompass aspects of this intriguing but largely enigmatic disorder [6,7,9,16,17,18,19,33,34,35,36,37]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call