Environmental Hypersensitivity
When the environment makes you sick
From a public health standpoint, infectious diseases dominated the 19th century. Then during the 20th century, cancer was the main concern. At the beginning of the 21st century, public health officials are looking increasingly at chronic diseases and illnesses that are closely associated with an increasingly polluted environment. These conditions include environmental sensitivities, but also…
Once a diagnosis of environmental sensitivities has been made, the priority for the patient is to avoid the agents that trigger their symptoms. In Quebec, there is no common approach to care practiced by physicians. Elsewhere in Canada, there are a few environmental health clinics. On y conseille aux patients de manger des aliments biologiques,…
Increasingly, scientists are identifying a two-phase process leading to environmental sensitivities. Phase 1: Onset of the illness The onset of the illness takes place either after chronic low-level exposure to contaminants or after one high-level exposure to a chemical substance, electromagnetic radiation, or a biological agent. The factors involved are called initiating agents (Table 1)….
People who suffer from environmental sensitivities react negatively to all kinds of contaminants, but at lower levels of exposure that seem to cause no reaction in most people. Reactions can lead to symptoms that are inconvenient, quite serious, or even debilitating. According to the latest data from Statistics Canada (2007), environmental sensitivities are becoming a…
Exposure to initiating and triggering agents can take place via the respiratory system, the digestive system, skin contact, contact with infectious agents, injection of products and medical interventions. Exposure can happen as early as mother to child transmission during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The body reacts differently depending on the type of exposure and whether it…
One would think, when people affected with environmental sensitivities talk of their difficulties or request accommodation, that they are met with sympathy and understanding. After all, no one claims that their symptoms are not real, even though no consensus exists among researchers as to what most likely causes them. Unfortunately, both anecdotal experiences from sufferers and…
Chemical agents Once inside the body, several defense mechanisms against chemical contaminants are set into motion. Most contaminants are transformed by enzymes present in our cells to facilitate their elimination in urine, stool, sweat, breast milk, or they are transferred to the hair and nails. In the case of environmental sensitivities, it is suspected that…
Introduction Over the past eighty years, tens of thousands of chemical substances have been manufactured. Chemical preservatives have been added to food and cosmetics. Pesticides have been synthe- sized to increase agricultural production. Substances have been made to waterproof furniture and clothes, while others make plastic either more pliable or more solid. Countless other products…
HEALTH Commission canadienne des droits de la personne Le point de vue médical sur l’hypersensibilité environnementale, Margaret E. Sears Environmental Health Clinic, Sunnybrook & Women’s College Health Sciences Centre, Ontario College of Family Physicians – Dr. L. M. Marshall Interrogatoire sur les antécédents Dr Claudia Miller, professeur, Department of Family & Community Medecine, University of…
A Disability which gives the right to a reasonable accommodation In November 2011, the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse du Québec (Québec’s human rights commission) stated: Even if in August 2012, there had not yet been a decision recognizing environmental sensitivities as a handicap according to the Charter,…