Written by multidisciplinary experts in medicine, chemistry, and architecture, this book examines chemical sensitivity (CS). In 15 chapters fitted to 15 lectures, it discusses not only the medical explanation, but also the environmental factors of this hypersensitive reaction, such as chemistry and architectural aspects. The book overviews pollution-induced diseases such as Minamata Disease. It also points out the similarity of modern hypersensitivity syndromes to historical pollution diseases from the viewpoints of not only natural scientific aspects, but also social understanding of the disease.
Chemical sensitivity (or "multiple chemical sensitivity") describes people with numerous troubling symptoms attributed to environmental factors, from simple housepaint to complex building structures and materials in offices and schools. Many such people are seeking special accommodations, applying for disability benefits, and filing lawsuits claiming that exposure to common foods and chemicals has made them ill. Their efforts are supported by some physicians who refer themselves as clinical ecologists. They use questionable diagnoses and treatment methods, while critics charge that these approaches are bogus and that "chemical sensitivity" is not a valid diagnosis. The complaints associated with chemical sensitivity include depression, irritability, poor memory, fatigue, drowsiness, constipation, sneezing, wheezing, skin rashes, headache, chest pain, pounding heart, swelling, upset stomach, paralysis, AIDS-like illnesses, psychotic experiences, and just about every other symptom noted in medical textbooks. One prominent clinical ecologist even claimed that chemical sensitivity patients may well be human "canaries" on an increasingly poisoned planet, and others have actually labeled chemical sensitivity as a disease. While some people are adversely affected by exposure to some chemicals, there is an overwhelming increase in false claims and reports from misled obsessive patients and opportunistic doctors. Chemical Sensitivity examines this phenomenon in depth and the scientific, legal, ethical, and political issues that surround it. The authors explore the speculations about environmental exposure in the light of scientific knowledge of human physiology, allergy and immunology, pathology, toxicology, and clinical medicine. They evaluate cases of chemical sensitivity relative to controlled tests, and reveal that symptoms were brought on by psychological factors rather than physical ones. Chemical Sensitivity also critically assesses claims related to "sick building syndrome," "mercury-amalgam toxicity," "yeast allergy," and Gulf War syndrome.
This book, written from a patient's perspective, first defines chemical sensitivity, then describes its effects, and discusses strategies for dealing with it. A complete resource listing, information on documenting a case, expert opinions on CS and an examination of the issues are included. An appendix provides detoxification data.
Reversibility of Chronic Disease and Hypersensitivity, Volume 4: The Environmental Aspects of Chemical Sensitivity is the fourth of an encyclopedic five-volume set describing the basic physiology, chemical sensitivity, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic degenerative disease studied in a 5x less polluted controlled environment. This text focuses on treatment techniques, strategies, protocols, prescriptions, and technologies. Distinguishing itself from previous works on chemical sensitivity, it explains newly understood mechanisms of chronic disease and hypersensitivity, involving core molecular function. The authors discuss new information on ground regulation system, genetics, the autonomic nervous system, and immune and non-immune functions. The book also includes the latest technology and cutting-edge techniques, numerous figures, and supporting research.
Annotation Clinicians, researchers, and others discuss multiple chemical sensitivities, a controversial diagnostic label for a phenomenon related to exposure to chemical agents sustained both in indoor and outdoor environments. No index. An addendum to the preceding entry. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
This book, commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and written by international experts, provides consensus views on the most important issues related to allergic hypersensitivities. The text details predictive testing, diagnosis, epidemiological monitoring of intervention measures, sources of sensitizing agents, and mechanisms of action. Contributors extensively cover allergic hypersensitivity reactions of the skin and the respiratory system. They present the current knowledge on hypersensitivity reactions of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. Major gaps in existing information about allergic hypersensitivities are highlighted and recommendations for future research are given. Practical methods are provided for establishing preventive programs. Allergic Hypersensitivities Induced by Chemicals offers valuable information to both scientists and public health officials. This is a useful reference for health professionals in their work with allergies, allergens, and allergy sufferers.
The National Human Monitoring Program (NHMP) identifies concentrations of specific chemicals in human tissues, including toxicologic testing and risk assessment determinations. This volume evaluates the current activities of the NHMP; identifies important scientific, technical, and programmatic issues; and makes recommendations regarding the design of the program and use of its products.
Microbial pollution is a key element of indoor air pollution. It is caused by hundreds of species of bacteria and fungi, in particular filamentous fungi (mould), growing indoors when sufficient moisture is available. This document provides a comprehensive review of the scientific evidence on health problems associated with building moisture and biological agents. The review concludes that the most important effects are increased prevalences of respiratory symptoms, allergies and asthma as well as perturbation of the immunological system. The document also summarizes the available information on the conditions that determine the presence of mould and measures to control their growth indoors. WHO guidelines for protecting public health are formulated on the basis of the review. The most important means for avoiding adverse health effects is the prevention (or minimization) of persistent dampness and microbial growth on interior surfaces and in building structures. [Ed.]
