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Multiple chemical sensitivity and idiopathic environmental intolerance (part two)

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine volume 7, pages 273–282 (2003)Cite this article

Abstract

Multiple chemical sensitivity/idiopathic environmental intolerance (MCS/IEI) is a commonly used diagnostic term for a group of symptoms without apparent organic basis. The symptoms are characteristic of dysfunction in multiple organ systems. They wax and wane fluctuate according to exposure to low levels of chemical agents in the patient's environment, and sometimes begin after a distinct environmental change or injury such an industrial accident or chemical introduced after remodeling. Although traditional medical organizations have not agreed on a definition for this syndrome, it is being increasingly recognized and makes up an increasing percentage of the caseload at occupational/environmental medical clinics.

Part two of this review article discusses diagnosis, clinical examination, long-term follow up of MCS/IEI, and the role of physicians, research on odor and treatment, diseases with similar symptoms, and further research regarding MCS/IEI patients.

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Abbreviations

CES:

Chronic fatigue syndrome

FM:

Fibromyalgia

IEI:

Idiopathic environmental intolerance

PGW:

Persian Gulf Warr

MCS:

Multiple chemical sensitivity

PTSD:

Posttraumatic stress disorder

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  1. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, 228-8555, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan

    Mitsuyasu Watanabe, Hideki Tonori & Yoshiharu Aizawa

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  1. Mitsuyasu Watanabe
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  3. Yoshiharu Aizawa
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Correspondence to Hideki Tonori.

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Watanabe, M., Tonori, H. & Aizawa, Y. Multiple chemical sensitivity and idiopathic environmental intolerance (part two). Environ Health Prev Med 7, 273–282 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02908886

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02908886

Key words

  • multiple chemical sensitivity
  • idiopathic environmental intolerance
  • chemical intolerance
  • diagnosis
  • treatment