Alison Johnson’s film
“Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Short Introduction”
For more information see her website
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Linda’s home to heal, with safe air, safe food, safe water & safe clothes
Seriously “Sensitive” to Pollution
Wendy’s House
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Recent Posts
- Healthy Housing for Ann – Help Needed
- Are You Feeling Lucky?
- a seriously ‘sensitive’ to pollution update and two requests
- Help Susy Find and Afford Safe, Accessible Housing to Prevent MAiD
- MCS and Housing Update
- Fragrance-free in 2023
- Van Living with MCS/ES
- Hunger Strike for Access to Safe Health Care
- MCS Awareness Video by Maria Rizzo
- 2021 – Welcome to MCS/ES Action and Accommodation Month
- Earth Day Human Canary Starter Pack
- What Now?
- Are Essential Oils Fragrance-Free?
- Oops!
- Opportunity to Share Your Chemical and Fragrance Injury Stories
- When Being Quarantined or Isolated and Broke is “Normal”
- Canadian Petition for People with Chemical and Environmental Sensitivities
- Proclamation, Video, and Other News for May 12th Awareness Day
- The Power of This Pause
- Homeless Canaries Need Access to Fragrance-Free Showers
- MCS Awareness Month fb Page
- New Photography Exhibit in May with a Special Video on May 12th
- Two Tales: Temporary Quarantine or Long-term Segregation
- Dear Quarantined and Socially Distanced
- Endangered Human in Jasper
- The Fragrance Free Revolution
- Accessibility Recommendations from ARCH and CELA
- Attitudinal barriers, fragranced products, and invisible disabilities
- Find all 25 reasons why I didn’t come (to your party)
- You Don’t Look … Invisibly Ableist?
- How to Show That Your Disability Accommodation is Disability-Related
- The Canadian Human Rights Commission’s “Environmental sensitivity and scent-free policies”
- Holiday Canaries
- Diffusing Health Harm on Unsuspecting Shoppers and Outrageously False Product Claims
- Persil: Just STOP!
- Human Rights and Housing: New Resources for Community Workers Supporting Clients with Chemical and Environmental Sensitivities
- Video Discussions about Environmental Illnesses, “Sensitivities”, and Disability
- Safe Housing Survey
- Now Online: “Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Survival Guide”
- Hyperthyroidism in Cats Exposed to Air “Fresheners”, Upholstered Furniture, and New Buildings
- How to Basics: Accessible Washrooms for People With MCS/ES
- Accessibility STOP Signs
- Mask Challenge Revisited
- Three New Videos About Environmental Sensitivities
- Simple Fragrance-Free Posters in English and French
- MCS/ES: Societal Neglect = No More Fun and Games for Life on the Planet
- MCS Survey for May 2019
- Can’t Ban Fragrances? Consider a Fragrance Free Zone
- Welcome to the 2019 Edition of MCS/ES Awareness Month
- Gain – Sinking Your Disabled Boat
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Categories
Adverse Effects reporting
- Adverse Reaction and Medical Device Problem Reporting – Canada Consumers/patients and health professionals can report adverse reactions (also known as side effects) to health products
- How to File an ADA Complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice You can file an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint alleging disability discrimination against a State or local government or a public accommodation (private business including, for example, a restaurant, doctor’s office, retail store, hotel, etc.).
- Report a Food Safety or Labelling Concern (Canada)
- Report a Food Safety Problem (US) Report food poisoning or other adverse effects
- Report an Adverse Effect or Unsafe Product (U.S.) Product Safety Commission – Through SaferProducts.gov, consumers, child service providers, health care professionals, government officials and public safety entities can submit reports of harm
- Report an Incident Involving a Consumer Product (Canada) The Consumer Product Safety Directorate deals with reports of consumer product-related health or safety concerns from industry and consumers
Environmental Health
- "Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes, Second Edition" PDF available of the groundbreaking book by Nicholas A. Ashford and Claudia S. Miller
- CHE Toxicant and Disease Database a searchable database that summarizes links between chemical contaminants and approximately 180 human diseases or conditions.
- Environmental Health Barriers Toolkit from NCIL (National Council on Independent Living)
- Environmental Health Trust – Electromagnetic Sensitivity also known as Microwave Sickness
- Environmental Working Group Health/Toxics and much much more
- Eradicating Ecocide
- Fracking, Shale Gas and Health
- Sandra Steingraber , an acclaimed ecologist and author, explores the links between human rights and the environment, with a focus on chemical contamination
- Silent Spring Institute Everyday Chemical Exposures
- TEDX (The Endocrine Disruption Exchange, Inc.) founded by Dr. Theo Colborn
- Toxic Clout explores how the industry’s actions create uncertainty and delay, threatening public health. The Center for Public Integrity
- TOXNET – Databases on toxicology, hazardous chemicals, environmental health, and toxic releases.
- UCSF Program on Reproductive Health and the Environment PRHE has developed a series of brochures that describe the common types and routes of exposure to toxic substances and provide evidence-based recommendations on ways to reduce those exposures
- US Chemical Policy Reform Physicians for Social Responsibility… statements from a number of organizations concerned about the new bill
- Washington Toxics Coalition We promote alternatives, advocate policies, empower communities and educate people to create a healthy environment.
Food
- Buy Non-GMO Buying non-GMO not only impacts your own and your family’s health concerns, it also influences the buying decisions of food manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.
- Cultivating Food Co-ops – resources and tools to meet the needs of those involved in sustainable food and farming co-operatives
- Dr Vandana Shiva and Navdanya are actively involved in the rejuvenation of indigenous knowledge and culture. It has created awareness on the hazards of genetic engineering, defended people’s knowledge from biopiracy and food rights in the face of globalisation and climate chan
- Farmers' Markets in Canada
- Gluten-Free Goddess —Recipes with a side of life.
- LocalHarvest (USA mostly) Use our website to find farmers’ markets, family farms, and other sources of sustainably grown food in your area
- Ontario Natural Food Co-op natural, organic and local foods and products within a co-operative network.
- Organic Food in Canada
Fragrance
- Accommodation and Compliance: Fragrance Sensitivity from JAN Includes info about the ADA and examples of fragrance-free workplace policy statements.
- Accommodation and Compliance: Fragrance Sensitivity from JAN Includes info about the ADA and examples of fragrance-free workplace policy statements.
- CDC Indoor Environmental Policy protects those with chemical sensitivities – see pages 9-10
- Dr. Anne C. Steinemann Resources: Fragrance-Free Policies, CDC Indoor Environmental Quality Policy, Leaders for Healthier Air, Air Freshener Fact Sheet, Green Clean Fact Sheet , Toxic Chemicals in Air Fresheners, Toxic Chemicals in Fragranced Laundry Products
- East Bay Meditation Center Accessibility Resources Accessibility Resources
- Fragrance Chemicals of Concern Present on the IFRA List (2015) Info about some of the hazardous chemicals used by the fragrance industry
- Fragrance Fact Sheet from the Canadian Partnership for Children’s Health & Environment
- Fragrance Fact Sheet from Physicians for Social Responsibility Download a PDF from the link
- Fragrance Free Friends Thunder Bay
- Fragrance free policies from around the world
- Health Care Without Harm on fragrance chemicals
- Implementing a Workplace Fragrance Policy as an Accommodation (JAN) From JAN (US Job Accommodation Network) Learn more about how to implement a fragrance-free policy
- Physicians for Social Responsibility Fact sheet on fragrances Fact sheet from PSR on fragrances in consumer products and their impact on human health.
- Undisclosed chemicals in fragranced products Interview with Dr Anne Steinemann
- Women's Voices For The Earth Reports about fragrances and toxic chemicals in everyday products
Going Green
- Alternatives to Fragranced Cleaning Products
- Center for a New American Dream We seek to cultivate a new American dream—one that emphasizes community, ecological sustainability, and a celebration of non-material values.
- Center for Ecoliteracy
- Chemerical: Redefining Clean For A New Generation —Film by Andrew Nisker
- Children & Nature Network
- Creating Healthy Home Environments for Kids: Top 5 Tips Video about making our homes chemically safer and healthier
- EWG Consumer Guides
- Guide to Less Toxic Products
- Healthy Child Healthy World
- How to Go Green: Funerals
- How to Reuse or Recycle Old Clothes
- My Zero Waste Tips and articles for families reducing waste and pollution
- Non-Toxic DIY Recipes
- Sandrup Jongkhar Inititiative, Bhutan establishing food security and self-sufficiency, protecting and enhancing the natural environment, strengthening communities, stemming the rural-urban migration tide, and fostering a cooperative, productive, entrepreneurial and self-reliant spirit
- Simple Green Frugal Co-op
- Steps to a Plastic-Free Life
- The Economics of Happiness
Housing
- Asthmagens and Asthma Triggers in the Built Environment
- Breathing Easy —Environmental Analysis and Technology, Products and Services for Healthy Buildings
- Build A Healthy House Margaret Forrest chronicles her experiences building a healthy house
- Cedar Rock a proposed “healthy organic progressive ecological/ergonomic” community development project
- Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA) “Housing as a Medical Necessity”, Creating Healthy Multi-Unit Housing, Creating Healthy Apartments,
- Creating Healthy Home Environments for Kids: Top 5 Tips Video about making our homes chemically safer and healthier
- EcoNest Co. Paula Baker-Laporte Consulting Services, Architectural Design & Portfolio, Bau Biologie, Articles & Books, Events
- EHAQ ECOASIS Safe Housing Project in the Laurentian Mountain area of Quebec
- EI Wellspring Practical Tips for Coping with Chemical and Electrical Hypersensitivity
- Environmental Sensitivities and Housing Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (scroll down the page to find the 2 resources)
- Environmental Sensitivities and Rental Housing Toolkit 2019 A Toolkit for Community Workers from CERA (The Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation)
- Guide for Tenants/Patients Living with Mould Includes ways that a doctor can help get the mould problem fixed,
- Healthy Building Network
- My Chemical-Free House A guide to building a chemical-free, mould-free house
- Paula Baker Laporte Articles & books about healthy housing
- ReShelter Charitable non-profit (US) to address the urgent need for housing alternatives for people with environmental sensitivities.
- Template Letter Applying For Low Allergy Housing Letter for Doctors and other support people to assist people into the right kind of housing
Human Rights
- Accommodation and Compliance: Electrical Sensitivity The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.
- Accommodation and Compliance: Fragrance Sensitivity from JAN Includes info about the ADA and examples of fragrance-free workplace policy statements.
- Accommodation and Compliance: Multiple Chemical Sensitivity JAN the Job Accommodation Network
- Canadian Human Rights Commission Environmental Sensitivities: Policy, Medical, and Legal Perspectives (2007)
- CDC Indoor Environmental Policy protects those with chemical sensitivities – see pages 9-10
- Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (CERA) “Housing as a Medical Necessity”, Creating Healthy Multi-Unit Housing, Creating Healthy Apartments,
- Environmental Health Barriers Toolkit from NCIL (National Council on Independent Living)
- Environmental Sensitivities and Housing Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation (scroll down the page to find the 2 resources)
- Environmental Sensitivities and Rental Housing Toolkit 2019 A Toolkit for Community Workers from CERA (The Centre for Equality Rights in Accommodation)
- Environmentally Induced Illnesses: Ethics, Risk Assessment and Human Rights
- Eradicating Ecocide
- Fragrance Sensitivity and the Americans with Disabilities Act Accommodation and Compliance Series: Employees with Fragrance Sensitivity
- How to File an ADA Complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice You can file an Americans with Disabilities Act complaint alleging disability discrimination against a State or local government or a public accommodation (private business including, for example, a restaurant, doctor’s office, retail store, hotel, etc.).
- Ontario – Policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability 2.2 Non-evident disabilities
- Ontario Human Rights Code Disability and human rights
- Understanding & Accommodating People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Independent Living by Pamela Reed Gibson, Ph.D. James Madison University
MCS/ES Resources
- A GUIDE TO LIVING WITH MCS from ASEHA Qld in Australia
- American Academy of Environmental Medicine Definition of Chemical Sensitivities, with list of specialists and more at the website
- Amputated Lives: Coping with Chemical Sensitivity Amputated Lives: Coping with Chemical Sensitivity by Alison Johnson With a Foreword by L. Christine Oliver, M.D., Harvard Medical School
- ANRES Australian National Register of Environmental Sensitivities
- CDC Indoor Environmental Policy protects those with chemical sensitivities – see pages 9-10
- Chemical Sensitivity Foundation The primary goal of the Chemical Sensitivity Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit corporation, is to raise public awareness about multiple chemical sensitivity.
- EI Wellspring Practical Tips for Coping with Chemical and Electrical Hypersensitivity
- Environmental Health Association of Québec (EHAQ) Sustainable health: education, awareness, prevention and resources for people with MCS/ES
- Environmental Health Barriers Toolkit from NCIL (National Council on Independent Living)
- Environmental Illness Network Minnesota Links for policies, research and much more
- Health Risk Navigation Inc. One of the first websites with resources in Ontario for people with chemical injury, MCS/ES
- MCS Brochure (PDF) from Massachusetts Department of Public Health “What You Should Know About Multiple Chemical Sensitivity”
- MCS Under Siege by Ann McCampbell, MD
- MCS: A survival Guide Excellent book, excerpts available at the link
- MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY (MCS) Research and more from JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY Pam Gibson and her research team’s book, journal, and conference papers
- Ohio Network for the Chemically Injured
- Ontario – Policy on ableism and discrimination based on disability 2.2 Non-evident disabilities
- Quand l'Environment Rend Malade
- Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) a screening instrument for multiple chemical intolerance
- Recognition Inclusion and Equity Ontario Centre of Excellence in Environmental Health (OCEEH)
- Safe Canary Nest Excellent compilation of resources for canaries
- Understanding & Accommodating People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Independent Living by Pamela Reed Gibson, Ph.D. James Madison University
Medical
- American Academy of Environmental Medicine Definition of Chemical Sensitivities, with list of specialists and more at the website
- Environmental Health Center-Dallas The mission of the Environmental Health Center – Dallas is to provide superior medical care and education with a special emphasis on the effects of environmental factors on health and disease.
- Environmental Health Clinic Toronto
- Fragrance Free Implementation Kit for health care facilities (but can be useful anywhere)
- Health Care Without Harm Tools and Resources
- Health Care Without Harm on fragrance chemicals
- Health Information Template A template for health information that needs to be provided prior to hospital admission
- MCS Accommodations Letter from HEAL Arizona written primarily for use in outpatient and even non-medical situations.
- Quinte Healthcare Corporation Hospital Accessibility – Multiple Chemical Sensitivities
- Scent Reduction at Southlake Hospital FAQ – an introduction (note, reduction is not the same as elimination, and they don’t mention scented laundry products, which can be worse than perfumes)
Miscellaneous
- Amelia Hill from Australia, her MCS story and resources
- How To Be Alone
- How to Get On a “guide on how to navigate “the system” and how to live a great, disabled life”
- How to get rid of chemicals in fabrics. (Hint: trick question.) Chemicals in Fabrics
- Life in the City with a Future Things you can do to help:
- Marie LeBlanc Canadian disability artist Marie LeBlanc advocates for those living with environmental sensitivities/multiple chemical sensitivity through her art.
- men with fibro fibromyalgia support group for men
- Mindfulness: The Basics
- Mold Illness Community Resources
- Paradigm Change While we are interested in all kinds of toxins (including heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, fire retardants and other chemicals), a particular focus is on the biotoxins made by molds, cyanobacteria and other microorganisms.
- Safe Canary Nest Excellent compilation of resources for canaries
- The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation (CanLyme)
- ThinkBeforeYouStink An educational resource for reducing your chemical and fragrance footprint, improving your health, and making your home or business safe and accessible for all.
- Why We Find It Hard to Meditate … common reasons, obstacles and solutions
Mixed Media
- "Stink!" an award-winning documentary – the movie the chemical Industry doesn’t want you to see
- A Wake-Up Story A Wake-Up Story is a must-see video for every parent and anyone that cares about the health and development of children
- “Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Short Introduction” Alison Johnson’s latest film
- Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: How Chemical Exposures May Be Affecting Your Health Video documentary by Alison Johnson
- Orion Magazine to inform, inspire, and engage individuals and grassroots organizations in becoming a significant cultural force for healing nature and community.
- Slow Death By Rubber Duck: How the Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Life Affects Our Health —Book by Rick Smith and Bruce Lourie
- The Story of Stuff Project Short, easily shareable online movies that explore some of the key features of our relationship with Stuff
News
- Environmental Health News a foundation-funded news organization that advances the public’s understanding of environmental health issues by reporting and publishing news stories and providing daily access to news from other media around the world.
Product Info
- EWG Consumer Guides
- Guide to Less Toxic Products
- O Ecotextiles Excellent info on chemicals in textiles and furnishings
- Report an Adverse Effect or Unsafe Product (U.S.) Product Safety Commission – Through SaferProducts.gov, consumers, child service providers, health care professionals, government officials and public safety entities can submit reports of harm
- Report an Incident Involving a Consumer Product (Canada) The Consumer Product Safety Directorate deals with reports of consumer product-related health or safety concerns from industry and consumers
- TOXNET – Databases on toxicology, hazardous chemicals, environmental health, and toxic releases.
- U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services: Household Products Database —Health and safety information on household products
- Women's Voices For The Earth Reports about fragrances and toxic chemicals in everyday products
Social Media
- Linda's home to heal, with safe air, safe food, safe water & safe clothes Environmental Health news on facebook
- Seriously "Sensitive" to Pollution – FB page for the blog
Wireless
- Accommodation and Compliance: Electrical Sensitivity The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues.
- Bio Initiative —A rationale for a biologically-based public exposure standard for electromagnetic fields
- EI Wellspring Practical Tips for Coping with Chemical and Electrical Hypersensitivity
- Environmental Health Trust – Electromagnetic Sensitivity also known as Microwave Sickness
- LIVING WITH ELECTROHYPERSENSITIVITY A Survival Guide
- Refugium EHS sanctuaries (and other resources)
- Show Us The Fine Print cell phone safety warnings
- The BabySafe Wireless Project a joint initiative of two environmental health non-profit organizations providing info like What You Should Know About Wireless Radiation and Your Baby
- The Switch2Safe project exists to inform the public of the dangers of e-pollution and to advise on ways to lower it in the home, at work and other public places
- accessibility barriers allergies asthma autism barriers cancer Chemicals chemical sensitivity chemicals in clothing child health EHS environment environmental illness environmental sensitivities fibromyalgia Fragrance fragrance-free fragrance-free policy fragrance chemicals hazardous air pollutants health health care access for people with MCS/ES Housing Human Rights IAQ images indoor air quality invisible disabilities laundry masks MCS MCS/ES MCS housing migraines Mold multiple chemical sensitivities multiple chemical sensitivity pesticides petrochemicals phthalates Research science sensitive to pollution toxic chemicals toxic trespass video VOCs Water wireless wireless dangers
Seriously "Sensitive" to Pollution 
Linda,
Alison Johnson’s Introduction to MCS was great – thanks for sharing. Your blog/website is amazing – thanks for your hard work.
A motivational speaker just today asked me to point her to info about MCS for her sister. I think your website will have another guest soon!
Linda
Thank you! As my own health improves, I hope to add even more useful information.
Linda, Thank you for posting Alison Johnson’s latest film
“Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Short Introduction”. This video including representation from a leading Professor of Public Health at Harvard, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will go a long way in validating the reality and range of severity of MCS; of which far too many suffer horribly and have been disgracefully neglected and denied their basic Civil and Human Rights of access to essential life activities, as well as the care they so desperately need for far too long now.
Yes. My appreciation to all those who were involved in making the video, and to Alison Johnson in particular, for working so tirelessly on the cause all these years.
Where I work, the company has a “volunteer” fragrance-free policy. What is this good for??? Co-workers do not understand/ or just don’t care.
My doctor does not believe in MCS. He is not supportive, but still gave me time off to get better, and said : “that’s it after that- just go back to work-”
It’s awful, and trying hard to keep my head on straight and not let myself fall into depression.The manager thinks that I should wear a mask all day. It’s embarassing and hard to breathe in those masks.
I hope one day this can be diagnosed. I know I am getting worse now.
Thank you so much for your work! You are making a difference in this life.
Thank you.
I’m so sorry you are having trouble getting accommodated. Unenforced policies aren’t good for much if people won’t co-operate.
I wouldn’t be embarrassed about wearing a mask, but if it’s difficult to breathe in it, then it isn’t a reasonable accommodation, especially if it’s meant to help you breathe, sigh…
If you are in Canada, especially Ontario (I’m not familiar with the Human Rights Codes in other provinces), there’s a duty to accommodate…
That said, it’s easier with the diagnosis. Ontario, Nova Scotia, and now BC (theirs is getting up and running) have facilities that can diagnose if your own doctor can’t.
I have some info here on human rights and the Ontario clinic:
http://lindasepp.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/canadian-recognition-of-mcses-multiple-chemical-sensitivitiesenvironmental-sensitivities/
Also, there are diagnostic tools here if your doctor is willing to self-educate a bit:
Ontario College of Family Physicians Environmental Health Committee Publications
http://www.ocfp.on.ca/committees/env-health/publications
I’ve just updated the video link as I noticed the original was no longer available.
It’s possible the film itself was also updated in 2016
(I posted the original in 2012).
Forgot to add her new blog site link there, so I’ll drop it here: