Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a debilitating illness with life altering symptoms that affect all areas of life. The more a MCS sufferer is exposed to chemicals, the greater they suffer. MCS sufferers experience problems at work sites where airborne chemicals are found. In an attempt to improve symptoms, sufferers will avoid people using chemical based products like perfumes. They will also avoid public spaces where chemicals are regularly used. Even personal relationships can be strained. If this is not bad enough, the medical community is confusion over the illness. With knowledgeable physicians, patients will get treatment. However, MCS sufferers often go undiagnosed by medical practitioners unfamiliar with chemical toxin effects.
MCS is real. When at home, protect yourself by removing the sources of contamination cleaning your air with an air purifier. A high quality air cleaner can eliminate the airborne sources that destroy your air quality. The HealthMate Plus is one of the best air purifiers in the market and comes with a medical grade High Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA) filter and a significant amount of activated carbon blend. This combination removes air particles and gases that attack the chemically sensitive.
MCS Symptoms
Symptoms for MCS are nausea, fatigue, rashes, headaches, flu-like symptoms, moodiness, breathing problems, dizziness, fainting, irregular heartbeat, muscle pain and gastrointestinal problems to name a few.
MCS Triggers
Many products used in the home contain MCS triggers. Often used in these products are hydrocarbon-based Volatile Organic Chemicals (VOCs) and phenols containing Benzene. Some chemical triggers are personal care products & cosmetics, pesticides, cigarette smoke, perfume, household cleaning products, gasoline, vehicle exhaust, new carpets, glues/adhesives.....and more.
The Body's Reaction
To date, not enough medical research into MCS has been done. However, there is emerging a set of consistent MCS patient abnormalities and some evidence of possible mechanisms. They are:
- Immune dysfunction.
- The limbic system connections to the part of the brain and the sense of smell, the olfactory system, shows increased electrical activity.
- Impaired detoxification where the body is less capable of removing chemicals foreign to the body.
- Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) to certain areas of the brain may be reduced or become abnormal.
- A group of rare enzyme deficiency diseases, Porphyrias may occur. Porphyrins build up in different tissues and there is a loss of ability to detoxify certain chemicals.
- Elevated levels of Nitric Oxide (NO). Several organic solvents thought to be able to induce increased levels of NO are Formaldehyde, Benzene, Carbon Tetrachloride and certain pesticides.
Chemicals and Health Protection with an Air Purifier
Reports suggest that only 2% of chemicals used today have been examined in detail for health risks. We are now beginning to understand MCS. We know the sources, body reactions to chemical attacks, and the impact it has on our lives. Much more intensive testing needs to be done.
In the meantime, remove the sources of MCS from your home. Removing these chemical based products, particularly the ones that emit Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), will go a long way in reducing symptoms. Most critically, remove the air toxins and contaminations with a high quality air purifier. The HealthMate Plus is designed with a medical grade High Efficiency Particulate Arresting (HEPA) filter and a significant amount of blended activated carbon that will remove the risks.
