We live in a world of synthetic chemicals. They are found from our food to all the objects around us. Many of them are toxic. And some can trigger what is called Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS).

For example, you may say you live in a healthy countryside, but the pesticides they throw in the neighboring crop fields do remain in the air you breathe. In time, you can turn allergic to chemicals that are not linked to the pesticides: perfumes (95% of the chemicals in perfumes are petroleum derived, like acetone, camphor, benzaldehyde, ethanol, g-terpins and others), deodorants, body lotions, cleaning products, paints, new carpets, tobacco smoke, shampoos, gasoline and more.

The contact with these products can cause severe fatigue, disorientation, muscular pain, joint pain, eczemas, eruptions, dizziness, somnolence, nausea, body swelling, accelerated breathing, flue symptoms, asthma, palpitations, high pulse, sinusitis, anxiety, pneumonia, headache, memory loss, decreased focusing capacity, insomnia, irregular heart rhythm, gut issues and mood disorders (depression and mood swings). The avoidance of chemicals and the lack of perfume and deodorant use can induce social isolation.

About 37% of the Americans are allergic to synthetic chemical smells, vent gases, tobacco smoke, freshly applied paints, new carpets and perfumes. But only about 5% have MCS and 75% of them are women. MCS is caused mainly by pesticides (including for example anti-lice products) or solvents (from paints, varnishes, adhesives, treated woods, synthetic fabrics and carpets, and detergents). The condition can start due to just one massive exposure or repeated exposure to small amounts of the chemical(s).

The ventilated air inside buildings recycles all kinds of solvents, including formaldehyde, which is extremely dangerous. Carpets aggravate the situation as they absorb many solvents which afterwards are released gradually over long periods of time (this is the "Sick Building Syndrome").

The way we react to chemicals and whether or not we develop MCS is influenced by our own genetics, age, sex, diet, health and state of mind (which influence immunity), drugs we take, previous diseases and lifestyle (drinking, smoking, drug consume).

MCS patients have to avoid as much as possible the chemicals that triggered the disease and those to which they are sensitive. Good night sleep in a well aerated room, good alimentation (including food supplements), physical exercise (sweat eliminates toxins from the body) and positive attitude help in case of MCS.