Back in 2017, there was an effort by Memes for Inconvenient Disabilities to get people to wear a mask to see what it was like to be a human canary.
Only one person we know of took the challenge, but she did not give permission to share her incredible insights from her experience.
I’ve discovered that Fast Company did their own version of the Mask Challenge and here’s their video: Continue reading
Posted in Air Quality, Chemicals, Disability, Environmental Health, Pollution, Products
Tagged allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivity, environmental sensitivities, Fragrance, hazardous air pollutants, IAQ, invisible disabilities, masks, MCS, multiple chemical sensitivities, pesticides, respirators and masks
These images are available on facebook. Feel free to download the appropriate one and use for Awareness Month, or at least for May 12th Awareness Day!
Posted in Accessibility, Action, Education, Environmental Health, Environmental Sensitivities, Friendship, Images, Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, Support
Tagged allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivity, EHS, environment, invisible disabilities, masks, MCS, MCS/ES, multiple chemical sensitivities, petrochemicals, sensitive to pollution
Here’s an easy way for everyone to show some support!
And maybe, just maybe, wearing a mask for an hour or a day will spread some understanding of why the people who fought for smoke free policies did that instead of expecting all non-smokers to just wear masks always and everywhere.
The Mask Challenge is brought to you by
Help us make May 2017 the last time that we ever hear or read the words:
“MCS? #NeverHeardOfIt!!”
#MaskChallenge! Do it! Grow #MCSAwareness!
Watch the video and read the transcript below:
Posted in Accessibility, Action, Air Quality, Environmental Health, Fragrance, Pollution, Public Health
Tagged activism, awareness, chemical sensitivity, environmental sensitivities, IAQ, invisible disabilities, masks, MCS, multiple chemical sensitivities, petrochemicals, support, toxic trespass, video
♥Many thanks to the Courageous Canaries of MCS/ES (and mask)
Awareness Month 2016!
Your courage, kindness, and willingness to share your photos and stories in the “What I Wear in Bad Air” series generated a lot of discussion in various support groups, and will benefit so many others who can see some of the options that are available, as worn by their peers, and that it’s more than ok to be visible. Continue reading
Posted in Air Quality, Disability, Environmental Health, Environmental Sensitivities, Fashion, Fragrance, Human Rights
Tagged allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivity, Fragrance, hazardous air pollutants, invisible disabilities, masks, MCS, MCS/ES, multiple chemical sensitivities, petrochemicals, Products, toxic trespass, VOCs
Melanie and Jaiden
When I wear my mask I noticed people couldn’t see me smile at them and would avert their eyes and not smile at me.
I will usually speak and say hello. Most people will nod or say hello back even if they don’t smile or look at my eyes. Some will shrink away like I have Ebola. I’ve felt like a leper when that happens. I just hate that my kids are learning that lesson about humanity so young. I hope it will help instill a more compassionate nature in them as they see how not to be.
I started using fabric stickers on my mask sometimes and noticed that people would smile at them. I felt less invisible even if it was my stickers they smiled at more than me. I have several different ones including penguins, crosses, and holiday relevant ones I wear around Christmas time.
Posted in Air Quality, Environmental Health, Environmental Sensitivities, Fashion, Fragrance, Pollution
Tagged allergies, asthma, chemical sensitivity, Chemicals, dizziness, Fragrance, fragrance-free, hazardous air pollutants, IAQ, invisible disabilities, masks, MCS, migraines, multiple chemical sensitivities, perfume, petrochemicals, toxic trespass
My name is Zoraida and I live in Spain. I was diagnosed with MCS two years ago, but I had been having reactions for a couple of years before that. Everything escalated suddenly in 2014, and this was when I began to need a mask for everyday life. There have been many other changes in addition to the mask. Among them, moving to a smaller, less polluted town.
My safety kit: Continue reading
This photo was taken of me at my parent’s home, to demonstrate how I attempted to protect myself to be able to visit them, 2000 miles away.
When I can’t avoid exposures, I wear a mask to try to keep as functional as possible. Exposures affect my brain, my breathing, and I get more exhausted, etc. Even without the mask, I have challenges with my brain, breathing, energy, etc. Wearing the mask weakens me but not as much as a direct exposure would.
I am sensitive to chemicals in perfume, cologne, aftershave, hair care products, hand sanitizer, sunblock, air “freshener”, chlorine, white board and markers, building materials, cleaning products, laundry soap, dryer sheets, paints, pesticides, gasoline fumes, gas appliances, some plants, new asphalt, etc.
Posted in Air Quality, Chemicals, Environmental Health, Pollution, Products
Tagged chemical sensitivity, environmental sensitivities, Fragrance, hazardous air pollutants, IAQ, invisible disabilities, laundry products, masks, MCS, multiple chemical sensitivities, petrochemicals, toxic chemicals, toxic trespass, travel
“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
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
“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:
Posted in Accessibility, Air Quality, Chemicals, Environmental Health, Environmental Sensitivities, Health, Housing, Pollution
Tagged Fragrance, hazardous air pollutants, Housing, IAQ, invisible disabilities, laundry products, masks, MCS, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple chemical sensitivity, petrochemicals, scents, toxic trespass
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Seriously "Sensitive" to Pollution 