Category Archives: Health

Videos: What’s Making us Sick? The Chemical Erosion of Public Health

Posted on August 1, 2016 | 2 comments

If you prefer getting your research information by watching and listening  instead of reading, here are a couple of video presentations by the esteemed Dr Stephen J. Genuis, who is one of the leading experts on  environmental health.

In these presentations he discusses the increases in chronic illness and mental health problems, chemical and other causes and effects,  shortcomings in our health care systems, as well as some treatment options to improve health.

I’ve also linked to related research for those of you who like to read.

videos 4 Genuis

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Posted in Disability, Education, Environmental Health, Health, Public Health, Research

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Ontario Announces the Task Force on Environmental Health

Posted on June 3, 2016 | 12 comments

The Government of the Province of Ontario, specifically the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) finally announced the establishment of a Task Force on Environmental Health.

Let’s hope this new project creates the long overdue and effective changes and access to basic services that are needed by people with environmentally linked, disabling,  chronic health conditions like MCS/ES, unlike the 1985 project which created a  600+ page report with recommendations that were largely ignored (see links below), which allowed these and other problems to fester and increase in severity and magnitude.

Ontario Task Force 2016

The news release about the new task force follows:

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Posted in Environmental Health, Environmental Sensitivities, Government, Health, Health Care, Human Rights, Policy

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What I Wear In Bad Air :: Wendy

Posted on May 24, 2016 | Leave a comment

 

2016 Wendy Kearley

“I use my mask any time someone comes to my door, when maintenance people come in my home, when a nurse comes to take my blood. In an emergency I have to wear it going to & in the hospital, and any time chemicals infiltrate from outside, like wood smoke, Northern Pulp Mill, lawn mower exhaust,  snow blower exhaust, and vehicle exhaust, and laundry products. 

I’ve also had to wear it for a few days inside because they used plastic plumbing parts that made me very ill.”

~ Wendy Kearley

Wendy uses a 3M series 7502 silicone half mask with a 60926 filter.

For more info on masks, please see Continue reading →

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Posted in Air Quality, Environmental Health, Environmental Sensitivities, Health, Housing, Pollution

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What I Wear In Bad Air :: Brenda

Posted on May 20, 2016 | 2 comments

 

2016 Brenda

I wear my mask when out on my ebike to protect myself from exhaust fumes and chemical sprays on residential lawns. In the warmer months I need to wear it when travelling outside of town in a car to protect myself from agricultural pesticides drift as I live in an area that grows mostly corn and beans, probably mostly GMO and sprayed liberally with pesticides. I also wear it in grocery stores, thrift stores and the mall. Even with the mask I rarely venture into a mall.

~ Brenda

For more about masks, see

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Posted in Air Quality, Chemicals, Environmental Health, Health, Pesticides, Products

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What I Wear In Bad Air :: E.P.

Posted on May 18, 2016 | 1 comment

 

2016 E.P.

“I wear this whenever I leave the house, like when taking my child to the park, or walking by people and homes. I had to wear it indoors as well when I lived in an apartment building, because I get sick from exposure to wafting perfume, and dryer vent laundry scents in the air. Even outside it is impossible to avoid these scents blowing in the air and from people walking by.”

~ E.P.

For more info on masks see:

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Posted in Accessibility, Air Quality, Chemicals, Environmental Health, Environmental Sensitivities, Health, Housing, Pollution

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What I Wear In Bad Air :: Debbie

Posted on May 14, 2016 | Leave a comment

 

2016 Debbie Clark Seely

“This is me in my mask. I keep it right next to me in case I have to put it on quickly. I used to only use it when I went to the grocery store, but I haven’t been inside a store since July 2015.  I still end up needing it for when people come in my home or my neighbor’s laundry scent comes in.”

~ Debbie Clark Seely

 

For more info on masks, please see Continue reading →

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Posted in Accessibility, Air Quality, Disability, Environmental Health, Environmental Sensitivities, Health, Pollution

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MCS/ES Symptoms

Posted on May 11, 2016 | 9 comments

MCS/ES and EHS symptom lists resemble several other symptom lists.

There are many symptoms. Not all are immediate. Some can be delayed.

MCS Definition Criteria 1999

1999 Consensus Definition Criteria:

1. MCS is a chronic condition.
2. Symptoms recur reproducibly.
3. Symptoms recur in response to low levels of chemical exposure.
4. Symptoms occur when exposed to multiple unrelated chemicals.
5. Symptoms improve or resolve when trigger chemicals (incitants) are removed.
6. Multiple organ systems are affected.

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: a 1999 Consensus.
Archives of Environmental Health. 54: No 3, May/June 1999; 147-149.

…

EHS symptoms WEEPEHS symptom chart from WEEP

⇔

MCS ES symptoms include:

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Posted in Chemicals, Disability, Environmental Health, Environmental Sensitivities, Health, MCS/ES, Public Health

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What I Wear In Bad Air :: Ellie

Posted on May 10, 2016 | 4 comments

 

2016 Ellie

“Instead of cancer, I got MCS, meaning I stop breathing on contact with your everyday chemicals (plus a multitude of other symptoms.) Hey, there’s another perk! You might finally have the excuse you need to buy an expensive gas mask that can also be used with costumes! After all, once you get MCS, you can’t leave the house without one, so you’ll always be dressed for an adventure! #GoNatural”

Ellie uses this mask:

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Posted in Accessibility, Air Quality, Chemicals, Disability, Environmental Health, Health, Pollution, Products

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What I Wear In Bad Air :: Rolf

Posted on May 7, 2016 | 2 comments


2016 Rolf Aerssens

“This is me wearing a half face ABEK-P3 respirator with multi-gas filters.

I wear my “ALLERGY PATIENT” vest to identify my mask as a “medical necessity”. It helps a lot with preventing unkind comments and odd looks from people,  and hopefully will help people ask before shooting in times of terrorist threats.

I’m holding my clean air helmet in my right hand. The blower unit is normally worn on the back and is only in front for the photo.

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Posted in Air Quality, Chemicals, Disability, Environmental Health, Environmental Sensitivities, Health, Pollution

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What I Wear In Bad Air :: Lisa M.

Posted on May 5, 2016 | Leave a comment

 

2016 Lisa M

“At one point I had to sleep in the mask when in a rental unit. There was smoke coming from a surrounding unit and toxicity from finish that was used on the floor. I typically use avoidance, but for situations where that is not completely possible the mask is used to help with some symptoms. One of the biggest issues I deal with is the impact of environmental triggers causing instant inflammation of my eyes. Since the mask does not help with that it has been necessary to wear it with glasses when avoidance is not possible.”

~ Lisa M.

For more info on masks see:

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Posted in Air Quality, Chemicals, Environmental Health, Environmental Sensitivities, Health, Housing, Pollution

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