Prevalence of people reporting sensitivities to chemicals in a population-based survey

Article Abstract:

A surprising number of people have reported that they are sensitive to chemicals or made sick by exposure to common chemicals. Uniformity of response across geography, education, marital status and race-ethnicity is compatible with either widespread societal apprehensions or a physiologic response. The prevalence of people reporting sensitivities to chemicals was investigated through use of a population-based survey. Relevant questions were added to the 1995 California Behavior Risk Factor Survey (BRFS), administered by telephone to 4,046 subjects. Of those surveyed, 6.3% reported physician-diagnosed environmental illness of multiple chemical sensitivity. Also 15.9% reported being unusually sensitive or allergic to everyday chemicals. A controversy over whether an actual disorder exists prevails and there is little substantive research supporting a toxicologic explanation for the condition..

California, Diagnosis, Physiological aspects, Statistics, Asthma, Passive smoking

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Neutra and Kreutzer reply to "Invited Commentary: Sensitivities to Chemicals - Context and Implications" by Kipen and Fiedler

Article Abstract:

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) and other unexplained controversial syndromes have been discussed in relationship to various issues, including lack of clear definitions for cases, ignorance about the population experience of the symptoms, apparent heterogeneity of the phenomena and the subjective nature of complaints. Another cycle of the Behavior Risk Factor Survey (BRFS) data has been reviewed and similar results were found. In New Mexico similar work has been done with similar results. Administration by epidemiologists of a longer questionnaire would be desirable, but the federal agencies have not supported that, seeming to have feeling of ambiguity. Lab tests and case definitions are not the only things that make epidemiology useful. Questions and the dimensions of a given phenomenon should be agreed on. Concepts that capture qualities of the MCS phenomenon are presented.

Economic aspects, Practice, Political aspects, Medical research, Terminology, Health surveys, Experimental design, Research design, Federal aid to medical research, Medical research assistance

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Invited commentary: sensitivities to chemicals--context and implications

Article Abstract:

Some research into chemical sensitivity symptoms has at last been done and has brought some rigor to this area with an opportunity to bring out work important to public health in a field that has been overlooked, the field that deals with medically unexplained somatic symptoms. A high proportion of medical encounters are the result of such symptoms and a majority are not explained by pathologic medical conditions. The symptoms have been grouped into 'syndromes.' A number of these syndromes overlap one another and all are unexplained. Significant gender differences exist, but women may be more willing to seek medical attention.

Chronic fatigue syndrome

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