What is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Creating a Fragrance-Free Zone

Over the past decade, there has been greater awareness of individuals who suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity. What was once dismissed as allergies or confused with other symptoms is now seen as a real issue for roughly 38.7 million Americans who suffer from this condition. This condition has called for a fragrance-free zone to be instituted in public places where people work, shop, and go to school.

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is a condition where people are extra sensitive to many commonly used chemicals in the environment. Even low concentrations of such chemicals are enough to cause a reaction that ranges from mild to severe depending on the sensitivity of the individual.

Also called Toxic Injury and Environmental Illness, MCS is characterized by the different effects it has on different systems in the body. Just some of the symptoms include, but are not restricted to the following:

  • Sleeping, Breathing, and Memory Loss Issues
  • Abdominal Pains, Migraines, Chronic Fatigue
  • Nausea, Aching Muscles and Joints, Irritated Eyes, Nose, Ears, and Throat
  • Sensitivity to Loud Noises, Bright Lights, Heat and Cold, and even Electromagnetic Fields

General skin irritations are common as well. Basically, MCS has multiple symptoms that may affect people differently, even if they are living in the same home. It depends on how the body reacts to the exposure of the chemicals.

It does appear that this condition is on the rise as more people are battling the symptoms common with this illness. What’s interesting is that many people who do suffer felt no ill effects before, but now are being affected by the very same chemicals that they have been exposed to for many years. It’s common for those who have MCS to start with a chronic or large-scale exposure to toxins which creates greater sensitivity in the body.

Basically, once a person reacts to the chemicals, there is no turning back as the body remains sensitive to the exposure. The creation of a fragrance-free zone helps individuals who suffer from this condition as it lessens the chances that they will face such exposure.

Asthma

While MCS can be a mild irritant for most, for those suffering from asthma, it can be quite serious. This is because an asthma attack can have serious repercussions as it may be sparked by exposure to a chemical. The additional sensitivity to certain chemicals may put more asthma sufferers in danger. The phenomenon has been shown with exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke and it only goes to reason that 0many other asthma attacks may be triggered by being exposed to common chemicals.

It should be noted that the European Rejuvenation Center is a chemical, fragrance, and smoke-free facility. It is the Fragrance-Free Zone #1 and hopefully more will follow to help protect those who have multiple chemical sensitivity. So, the news is good for those who suffer from MCS as more places are paying attention to eliminating exposure from many common chemicals. While zero exposure may not be possible for years to come, at least lowering the risks helps those who are sensitive, especially those who have asthma.

Visit or call European Rejuvenation Center for more information: (425) 746-6100

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