What is the history of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity?

People have exhibited symptoms of MCS for quite some time. It is said that Edgar Allen Poe had suffered from MCS. Other notable instances are war veterans from the Gulf Wars and the 911 rescue workers. Because the medical community has had a hard time with defining and accepting the disease, patients have not been able to get proper treatment and had to seek help outside of the US medical environment.

10/26/17 by Paul 3000

There have been documented examples of chemical injuries and sensitivities for centuries. A classic one is Mad Hatters disease. The hatters used mercury to make beaver hats. When I was first diagnosed in 2004 and new nothing I found the website by Barbara Wilkie, Environmental Health Net of California. http://ehnca.org She has since past, 2011. She was a true champion. Anything about the history and the battle for recognition and accommodation can best be found there.

10/27/17 by JLMcK 5550

This goes back to when so many chemicals were added to our environment without proper testing.

1/6/19 by Cindi 3050

I think it has come about starting from WW2. Lands desecrated with not only bodies but ordnance too. After the war many petroleum products appeared. It all stems from that. And advertising to sell us useless products.

4/1/19 by Susan 2500

MCS has been developing for decades, becoming progressively worse as the years pass. More and more chemicals have found their way into our homes and bodies through consumption, causing health issues and sensitivities. It is really quite mind boggling.

6/4/19 by Heather 3000

The condition now most commonly known as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) was brought to the attention of the U.S. medical establishment when the late Theron Randolph, a physician trained in allergy and immunology, reported that a number of his patients reacted adversely to chemicals in their environment (Randolph, 1952). He compared the condition to Selye's stress-oriented general adaptation syndrome (Kurt, 1995) and linked the adverse effects of this "petrochemical problem" to contact with chemicals found in commonly encountered substances such as cosmetics, auto fuels, exhaust fumes, and food additives. He also observed that many of his patients reacted to many industrial solvents found in small amounts in manufactured products such as construction materials, newspaper and other ink-related products, furniture, and carpet. Although Randolph and other physicians who shared his theories published articles in the medical literature during the 1950's and early 1960's, his views were not widely accepted among physicians, particularly those trained in allergy and immunology. In 1965, in response to this lack of acceptance within his specialty, he founded the Society for Human Ecology and invited physicians of all specialties (who were later often referred to as clinical ecologists) to take part. In 1985, the Society changed its name to the American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM, 1992). Today, members are referred to as environmental physicians. However, the term clinical ecologist remains in use.

8/22/19 by Carmen Rosemarie 2550

well in my IME WC case paperwork he mistakingly put Randolph Theron, but it is actually Theron Randolph, and Sherry Rogers a dr herself, was one of the first to start publishing about this.

11/18/19 by Angie P. 5000

First MCS patient was diagnosed in the late 1940's by clinical ecologist Dr. Theron Randolph, which led to the development of the field of clinical ecology.

12/12/19 by Joanna 6200

Have no idea, interesting question will need to research

1/30/20 by Noeleen 2500

I don't know how to answer that

3/8/20 by MCSzombie 6220

From memory: Long history as a "woman's illness." Not well studied because it involves multiple organ systems so it's difficult to isolate. Also not well studied because women's health issues are undervalued and more often dismissed as a mental health condition. Here is more about the history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Multiple_chemical_sensitivity#History

9/27/20 by Rebecca St. Martin 3570

I'm not sure how far back it dates, but since the 60s and added chemicals in our world more people are falling Ill. Marketing has convinced people clean has a smell, so we are being bombarded by chemicals and fragrance non stop. This is why our numbers are increasing exponentially

11/12/20 by shelley 3650

Randolph in the 1950's discovered it first then the medical field picked up on it in the 1980's

7/24/21 by Serenity 2500

Dr. Randolph first discovered MCS in the 1950s.

11/11/21 by kola05 2620

Translated from spanish Improve translation

NO, I DON'T KNOW, I JUST KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF INTRUSION OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES AND OTHER FALLACIES PSEUDOMÉDICAS.

5/16/17 by Emilio. Translated

Translated from spanish Improve translation

No...........................

9/9/17 by Karma. Translated

Translated from spanish Improve translation

Emilio : what Intrusion of alternative medicines? Allow me to disagree. I would rather say that Big Pharma is very well mounted to enrich themselves at the expense of the health. I don't know the history, but I know someone who has spent 58 years with SQM.

9/10/17 by Pilar. Translated

Translated from spanish Improve translation

Has little. It is an emergency. The mid-Twentieth century

11/9/17 by Marta Elena. Translated