Model development and research vision for the future of multiple chemical sensitivity

Abstract

Arnetz BB. Model development and research vision for the future of multiple chemical sensitivity. Scand J Work Environ Health 1999;25 (6, special issue):569-573.Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is characterized by heightened self-reported sensitivity to extremely low concentrations of chemicals. It has numerous symptoms in common with the sick building syndrome, the Gulf War syndrome, and chronic fatigue. Despite much research, reproducible objective findings are lacking for MCS, as is a sound model to explain it. This paper proposes a 2-step model combining the needed epidemiologic terminology with that of psychophysiological activation and sensitization. It is suggested that different environmental stressors act as initiators. After initiation, the limbic system and other parts of the brain become sensitized and hyperrreactive to environmental triggers. Odor acts as one important trigger. Future research should use more biological assessments in combination with environmental and psychosocial data and involve patient groups with similar symptoms, although diagnosed as suffering from different entities. The similarities and differences of patients with such entities need to be understood before the entities themselves can be understood, diagnosed, treated, and prevented.

Were volatile organic compounds the inducing factors for subjective symptoms of employees working in newly constructed hospitals?

“…Odor is considered to act as an important trigger to heighten self-reported sensitivity (Arnetz, 1999) and might have induced subjective symptoms among employees in the present study. Chronic exposure to this VOC has been reported to result in the development of symptoms such as central neurological abnormalities and color vision impairment (Zavalic et al, 1998;Lee et al, 2003).…”

Medical and social prognoses of non-specific building-related symptoms (Sick Building Syndrome): a follow-up study of patients previously referred to hospital

“…Some researchers suggest that SBS is a form of MCS (Arnetz 1999). MCS is characterized by heightened selfreported sensitivity to low concentrations of chemicals; and the criteria also include low levels of exposure, resolving symptoms when incitants are removed, and response to multiple, chemically unrelated substances.…”

Prevalence of self-reported hypersensitivity to electric or magnetic fields in a population-based questionnaire survey

“…Hyperresponsiveness to several different factors could explain these findings -as well as the observations of our study, including an increase in all symptoms and higher reported disturbances from various environmental factors. A two-step model has been proposed for environmental illnesses such as multiple chemical sensitivity and hypersensitivity to electricity (21). After initiation, the limbic system and other areas of the brain become sensitized and hyperreactive to various environmental stimuli.…”