A national population study of the prevalence of multiple chemical sensitivity

The authors conducted a telephone survey of 1054 randomly selected individuals within the continental United States to determine the prevalence of chemical hypersensitivity and the medical diagnosis of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) in the American population. The etiology and symptomatology of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Archives of environmental health 2004-06, Vol.59 (6), p.300-305
Main Authors: CARESS, Stanley M, STEINEMANN, Anne C
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Cohort Studies
Female
General aspects. Methods
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity - epidemiology
Prevalence
Sex Factors
Toxicology
United States - epidemiology
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Summary:The authors conducted a telephone survey of 1054 randomly selected individuals within the continental United States to determine the prevalence of chemical hypersensitivity and the medical diagnosis of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) in the American population. The etiology and symptomatology of MCS also were investigated. Results produced a 95% confidence level and a +/-3% margin of error. The authors found that 11.2% of Americans reported an unusual hypersensitivity to common chemical products such as perfume, fresh paint, pesticides, and other petrochemical-based substances, and 2.5% reported they had been medically diagnosed with MCS. Additionally, 31.1% of those sampled reported adverse reactions to fragranced products, and 17.6% experienced breathing difficulties and other health problems when exposed to air fresheners. Although chemical hypersensitivity was more common in women, it affected individuals in all demographic groups studied.
ISSN:0003-9896
2331-4303