I am Christiane Tourtet B.A. Founder/President of International MCS/EMS Awareness. I am a well-known Award-Winning Writer, Author, Photographer, Photo-Journalist, former Teacher, College Instructor, Publicity Model, TV Commercial Actress/Voice Over Talent, Radio Producer, On-Air Personality, Poetess and Artist. I am also a dedicated Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) , Electromagnetic Sensitivity (EMS) and Human Rights Activist for over 25 years.


Objective of This Site

The main objective of MCS Homepage/International MCS/EMS Awareness is to provide useful, updated information in a clear, simple and concise way about the alarming and ever increasing worldwide epidemic of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and Electromagnetic Sensitivity (EMS) affecting an estimated 47 million people including children in the US, which are the direct consequences of exposure to toxic chemicals and electromagnetic radiation in the environment.


Why do People get MCS/EMS

Due to their genetic make up and other important physiological mechanisms millions of people all over the world have developed Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and Electromagnetic Sensitivity (EMS) upon exposures to toxic chemicals and electromagnetic radiation in the environment.

All MCS/EMS proclamations receive the full approval of State Department of Health prior to being signed by Governors. As stated in several MCS/EMS proclamations:

For MCS : "The health of the general population is at risk from chemical exposures that can lead to this environmentally induced illness. This illness may be preventable through the reduction or avoidance of chemicals in the air, water, and food and in both indoor and outdoor environments, and further scientific research to be conducted including genetics."

It is also stated that MCS is a painful chronic condition of hypersensitivity reactions to the environment, and that the symptoms of MCS include acute reactions to chemicals, food and medications, as well as neurological problems, muscle and joint pains, and respiratory difficulties.

For EMS : "This illness may be preventable through the reduction or avoidance of electromagnetic radiations, in both indoor and outdoor environments and by conducting further scientific research."

It is also stated that, Electromagnetic Sensitivity is a painful chronic illness of hypersensitive reactions to electromagnetic radiations, and that the symptoms of EMS include, dermal changes, acute numbness and tingling, dermatitis, flushing, headaches, arrhythmia, muscular weakness, tinnitus, malaise, gastric problems, nausea, visual disturbances, severe neurological, respiratory, speech problems , and numerous other physiological symptoms.

So, it is of utmost importance for all, to be fully aware, and knowledgeable, about the devastating physiological illnesses of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and of Electromagnetic Sensitivity (EMS), triggered by exposures to toxic chemicals and Electromagnetic radiation in the environment, and this website will greatly help you doing so.

CASE-CONTROL STUDY OF GENOTYPES IN MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY

Background: Impaired metabolism of toxic chemicals is a postulated mechanism underlying multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). Because genetic variation alters the rate of chemical metabolism, this study was designed to determine if MCS cases differed from controls for genetic polymorphisms in drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Methods: Female Caucasian participants (203 cases and 162 controls) were drawn from a larger case-control study based on a reproducible and validated case definition. Common polymorphisms for CYP2D6, NAT1, NAT2, PON1, and PON2 were genotyped.

Results: Comparing cases and controls, significant differences were found in genotype distributions for CYP2D6 (P = 0.02) and NAT2 (P = 0.03). Compared with the referent homozygous inactive (CYP2D6) or slow (NAT2) metabolizers, the odds for being CYP2D6 homozygous active (OR = 3.36, P = 0.01) and NAT2 rapid (OR = 4.14, P = 0.01) were significantly higher in cases than controls. The odds for being heterozygous for PON1-55 (OR = 2.05, P = 0.04) and PON1-192 (OR = 1.57, P = 0.04) were also significantly higher in cases.

Conclusions: A genetic predisposition for MCS may involve altered biotransformation of environmental chemicals. The CYP2D6 enzyme activates and inactivates toxins; the NAT2 enzyme bioactivates arylamines to protein-binding metabolites. A gene–gene interaction between CYP2D6 and NAT2 suggested that rapid metabolism for both enzymes may confer substantially elevated risk (OR = 18.7, P = 0.002). Our finding parallels others' observation of a link between PON1 heterozygosity and neurological symptoms in Gulf War syndrome. This first demonstration of genetic variation in drug-metabolizing enzymes in association with MCS requires replication. However, it suggests new research directions on genetically variable toxin pathways that might be important in MCS.
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Perfumes, Fragrance products and MCS

Most of the perfumes and fragrance products are made of synthetic chemicals. Some of the perfumes and fragrance products contain up to 600 chemicals including some toxic chemicals. Once a person gets MCS, his or her brain gets sensitized to chemicals and brain starts to react to practically any chemical. As perfumes and fragrance products contain multiple chemicals, due synergetic effect of some chemicals the reaction to the brain is magnified many times. This brain reaction usually followed by cardiac reaction and the person with MCS will start to feel very uncomfortable and sick. Perfumes and fragrance products made of natural products also contain chemicals, but not toxic chemicals. The chemicals in the perfume and fragrance products give the scent. As the brain of a person with MCS is sensitized to chemicals, most of the people with MCS will also react to perfumes and fragrance products made of natural products. People with MCS react to the chemicals in the perfumes and fragrance products, and practically all perfumes and fragrance products contain chemicals. People with MCS will react even more to some fragrance free products, because in some fragrance free products, the manufacturer usually adds additional chemicals to mask the fragrance. Fragrance free products are not necessarily chemical free products.

To see Single Photon Emission Computerized Tomography (SPECT) Scan of a MCS Patient's Brain: (SPECT) Scan of MCS Patient's Brain Before and After Challenge with Perfume Inhalation

Children's Health and Chemicals

Children are amongst the most vulnerable to the impacts of chemicals in the everyday environment. Children spend a large proportion of their childhood in childcare and at school where they can potentially come in contact with a wide range of chemical pollutants. Children's greater vulnerability to chemical pollutants.


We're Engulfed in Pesticides

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began an ongoing study in 1999 in an effort to calculate the public's exposures to environmental contaminants, including mercury, tobacco smoke, and certain pesticides. By taking blood and urine samples, scientists can monitor the population's contact with chemicals present in the air, water, dust, food, and soil over time.

"So far, the results of the initial CDC National Report on Human Exposure to Environmental Chemicals confirm what many people already suspected," says Susan Kegley, staff scientist at Pesticide Action Network North America (PANNA). "The general population has contaminant levels exceeding those set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as safe."


Creating Healthy Schools

As more people are becoming aware of the impacts of chemicals on health and the environment, attention is turning to some of the most vulnerable members of the community - children. Because children spend a large proportion of their childhood in childcare and at school, it is essential these environments are as free from toxic chemicals as possible.


Fresh Look at Food Preservatives

Unless you grow all your food in your own garden and prepare all your meals from scratch, it's almost impossible to eat food without preservatives added by manufacturers during processing. Without such preservatives, food safety problems would get out of hand, to say nothing of the grocery bills. Bread would get moldy, and salad oil would go rancid before it's used up. Read Full Story........


Genetically Engineered Food - A Serious Health Risk

Genetically engineered foods containing genes derived from bacteria and viruses are now starting to appear in the shops, and foods with insect, fish, and animal genes will soon follow. These genetic changes are radically different from those resulting from traditional methods of breeding. Yet, the sale of these foods is being permitted without proper assessment of the risks and without adequately informing the public, even though many scientists say that genetically modified foods could cause serious damage to health and the environment. Read Full Story........

Thank you for visiting MCS Homepage/International MCS/EMS Awareness.