MUST READ: MCS Patients Need To Learn To Confront, Not Avoid, Chemicals

Ugeskr Laeger. 2006 Mar 13;168(11):1116-9.
[Multiple chemical sensitivity, a well-defined illness?]
[Article in Danish]
Kolstad HA, Silberschmidt M, Nielsen JB, Osterberg K,
Andersen JH, Bonde JP, Fink P.
Arhus Universitetshospital, Arbejdsmedicinsk Klinik,
Arhus C.

Some people react to smells or chemicals at levels
far below toxicological thresholds with nonspecific
symptoms, fear and social isolation. They may be
diagnosed with multiple chemical sensitivity. There
is no empirical evidence indicating that this
condition is explained by toxicological mechanisms,
even though a number of theories have been proposed.
The authors of this review conclude that this is a
functional condition. These patients need information
and treatment in accordance with this fact. Instead
of being advised how to avoid exposure to chemicals,
they should be properly trained in appropriate
confrontation with the chemicals encountered in
everyday life.