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Governor Swift Proclaims Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Awareness Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Massachusetts Association for the Chemically Injured
Phone: 978-681-5117
Fax: 978-686-0745
Boston, Massachusetts
May 2, 2001
To raise public awareness about Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), an increasingly prevalent and often debilitating illness associated with exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment, Governor Jane Swift has named May 6-12 "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Awareness Week."
Symptoms of MCS include fatigue, headache, respiratory ailments, muscle and joint pain, memory loss, seizures and other neurological problems. This illness, for which there is no cure, recognizes no boundaries of age, sex, or economic circumstances.
Poor indoor air quality is a major factor in MCS. It is like a toxic chemical soup containing mold and fungus, pesticides, fragranced personal care products, cleaning agents, and other workplace chemicals. New chemicals are added to the soup daily. Other common triggers of MCS include carpets, paint, building materials, vehicle exhaust, office products, latex, and fabrics. People's health is at risk at work, school, and home, while shopping and in the community.
Access to work, education, healthcare and social functions is limited for people with MCS due to ubiquitous chemicals in our environment. Simple measures such as use of less-toxic cleansers and building products, adequate ventilation of indoor spaces, smoking bans, and restrictions on pesticide use can greatly improve accessibility. These measures may prevent future cases of the illness.
The Governor's proclamation says that "with the necessary support, understanding, accommodations, and information, individuals with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity can enjoy access to work, schooling, public facilities and other surroundings where they can continue to contribute their skills, knowledge and creativity," and urges all citizens to "take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly."
According to Marie E. Mannion, Massachusetts Nurses Association Congress on Health and Safety, "human exposures to chemicals has a devastating impact. Health effects and economic instability of the truly sick and injured may cause irreparable harm and remain in the family for generations. Nurses have been working in more than one area to address this issue. The Governor's signing of this Proclamation promotes prevention and is pivotal in increasing awareness in the State."
Founded in 1994, MACI provides support and information for those with chemical injuries and chemical sensitivity, and furthers public awareness and education about the condition. MACI support groups meet regularly in the Greater Boston area, on the North and South Shores and Cape Cod, and the group also has members in Western Massachusetts. For more information about MACI, call 978-681-5117 and visit MACI's website at http://www.angelfire.com/ma3/maci.