Understanding Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Causes, Effects, Personal Experiences and Resources PDF
Preview Understanding Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Causes, Effects, Personal Experiences and Resources
Understanding Multiple Chemical Sensitivity This page intentionally left blank Understanding Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Causes, Effects, Personal Experiences and Resources ELS VALKENBURG Foreword by KIM SCHOPPINK McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers Jefferson, North Carolina, and London Originally published as Als chemische stoffen en geuren je ziek maken: Een naslagwerk over de onbegrepen milieuziekte MCS (When Chemical Substances and Scents Make You Ill: A Reference Book about the Misun- derstood Environmental Illness MCS) in the Netherlands in 2007 by Uit- geverij Schors, Amsterdam. The information in this book is provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. The procedures, ideas and therapies described in the book should be discussed with a med- ical professional. The listing of specific products or methods does not con- stitute an endorsement of those products or methods. Because multiple chemical sensitivity varies considerably among individuals, it is each per- son’s responsibility to make his or her own choices based upon personal research, testing of all materials, and professional medical advice. The author and publishers of this book disclaim any liability arising di- rectly or indirectly from the research and ideas presented in this book.— Els Valkenburg; translated by Jan P. Huisman. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGUING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA Valkenburg, Els, 1961– Understanding multiple chemical sensitivity : causes, effects, personal experiences and resources / Els Valkenburg ; foreword by Kim Schoppink. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-0-7864-4443-4 softcover : 50# alkaline paper ¡. Multiple chemical sensitivity—Popular works. I. Title. RB152.6.V35 2010 615.9'02—dc22 2009041014 British Library cataloguing data are available ©2010 DAGOM BV. All rights reserved No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying or recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. On the cover: The author wears an organic cotton mask (photograph by Ruurd Valkenburg); Labware photograph ©2010 Shutterstock Manufactured in the United States of America McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers Box 6¡¡, Je›erson, North Carolina 28640 www.mcfarlandpub.com To all present and future MCS patients, their partners, families, friends, doctors and relatives. May this book contribute to increased understanding and sympathy for the situation of the MCS patient, so the love and care they need will not be denied. This page intentionally left blank Table of Contents Acknowledgments ix Foreword by Kim Schoppink 1 Preface 3 Introduction 5 Part I: What Is MCS? 9 1. MCS: General 11 2. MCS: Treatment and Strategies for Relief 21 3. MCS: Scientific 28 4. In Conclusion 35 Part II: The Personal Situation 39 5. About MCS Itself 41 6. About Relationships 47 7. About Social Life 54 8. About Protective Measures 56 9. Happy in Isolation? 59 Part III: The Voices of Others 67 10. Owners of International Organizations and Websites 69 11. The Voices of MCS Patients from the Netherlands 86 12. In Memory of Deceased MCS Patients 104 13. Links to Websites with More Testimonies 108 Part IV: The ABCs of MCS: Tips and Advice in Alphabetical Order 109 Part V: Films, Books and Other Resources 167 14. Films 169 15. A Few Books About MCS 173 vii TABLE OF CONTENTS viii 16. Art and Music 176 17. Spiritual Nourishment 178 Part VI: Further Resources 181 18. Articles 183 19. Websites 186 Part VII: Providing Information to Others 201 MCS Handout 203 Bibliography 205 Index 209 Acknowledgments Thanks to all people, locally and globally, who spontaneously and unconditionally provided assistance with this book. Without them it would not have been produced in such a fantastic manner! Special thanks are due to Kim Schoppink of Greenpeace, who contributed the foreword. ix
The list of books you might like
