What is Chemical Sensitivity?
Chemical sensitivity is an abnormal response to chemical stimuli; such as immune responses
to perfume, cigarette smoke, car exhaust, newsprint, cleaning chemicals, etc.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of chemical sensitivity are individual in nature and include sneezing,
shortness of breath, irritated eyes, running nose, muscle weakness, numbness, joint pain,
headache, fatigue, depression, disorientation, heart irregularities, skin rashes, etc.
What can cause it?
Chemical sensitivity can be caused by several different factors which can include:
- - Past chemical exposures
- Untreated food and/or inhalant sensitivities
- Immune system dysfunction
- Nutritional deficiency due to malabsorption or malnutrition
- Enzyme depletion
How do I know if I am chemically sensitive?
There are several indications and ways of determining chemically sensitivity including:
- - History of symptoms when exposed to chemicals
- Allergy skin testing (scratch or intradermal) for specific chemical allergies
- Booth testing - controlled chemical exposure
- Blood testing to determine: levels of chemical contaminates or their metabolites, level
of antibodies to specific chemicals, levels of depolution enzymes and/or liver-kidney
functioning.
Where are chemicals stored?
When chemicals enter the body some are quickly eliminated by body functioning, others
circulate in the blood until metabolized or until stored in fatty tissue, liver and/or
brain.
How do we treat chemical sensitivity?Personally:
- Reduce Total Load
Since those who are chemically sensitive are in an "over load" it is important
that they reduce their total load whenever possible by:
- Reduce stress
- Treat and control food and inhalant allergies
- Control environment as much as possible Watch Your Nutrition
Chemically sensitive individuals usually suffer from specific nutritional deficiencies
which can be improved by a rotary diversified balanced diet and by taking the proper
vitamins and minerals.
Eat and Drink Safe Food and Water
Reduce exposure to pesticides and other chemicals in foods by eating only organically
grown meat and produce. Use only bottled or filtered water for drinking, cooking and
bathing.
Personal Care
Carefully choose the personal products you use to avoid chemicals which can be present in:
- Cosmetics
- Soaps and shampoos
- Deodorants and toothpaste
- Sunscreens and body lotions
- Clothes
- Bedding
Environmentally:
- Filtration & Purification Controls
Create a healthy inside environment for yourself by using:
- HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Arresting) filtration
- Electrostatic air filters
- Portable air purifiers
Use Less-Toxic Products:
- In Your Home
Many products used in the home can contain harmful chemicals. Use the less-toxic
alternatives in:
- Pest management
- Energy source for heating
- Building and remodeling materials
- Furnishings, draperies
- Laundry and cleaning products
- Air freshners and odor absorbers
- Dishwashing compounds In Your Office and Workplace
There are many additional opportunities for chemical exposure in the workplace. In
addition to the above items, a chemically sensitive individual should be aware of possible
problems created by:
- Particleboard, plastics and stain resistant materials in office furnishings
- Chemicals generated by the use of office equipment
- Excessive exposure to glare and electromagnetic radiation from computers
- Chemicals in papers, correction fluids, glues and lubricants used in offices
- High voltage lines
- Vehicle pollution on highways
- Insecticide spraying in offices and herbicide spraying on roadways
Substitute, Don't Retreat
Be aware of your limits
Take a brief retreat from the chemical world for healing
Substitute less-toxic products
Some Common Chemical Exposures & Their Dangers
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