ADDITIONAL ARTICLES AND DOCUMENTS
Mold Exists Everywhere
Mold and Environmental Illness
Mold in Your Home
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity
(It is not in your head)
What is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (“MCS”)?
Symptoms of MCS:
• Eye and skin irritation
• Difficulty breathing
• Visual disturbance
• Sinus issues, rhinitis
• Sore throat, cough
• Sleep disturbance
• Muscle and joint pain
• Digestion problems
• Brain fog (memory, concentration)
• Specific symptoms associated with place, smell, situation, etc
• Neurological symptoms (Restless leg, confusion, tremors)
Other terms or diagnosis for MCS:
• Environmental Illness (“EI”)
• Idiopathic Environmental Tolerance
• Sick Building Syndrome
• Depression/Anxiety/Psychosomatic illness
• “Allergic to life”
Chemicals In Our Environment
More than 80,000 Chemicals are used in manufacturing and consumer products. The overwhelming majority have not been tested for safety.
The Toxic Substance Control Act of 1976 (“TSCA”) puts the burden on the government. Over 60,000 chemicals were grandfathered into the TSCA. Chemical use is deemed safe until proven otherwise. The burden of proving toxicity is on the government. The EPA has 90 days to block the chemical or suspend review until safety data submitted. Otherwise it is given a green light.
The EPA reviews only a small fraction of the compounds currently used in production. To date, the EPA has been successful in banning only five substances, and only with specific applications: Asbestos, Chlorofluorocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls, hexavent chromium. Under the law, the EPA cannot request testing without having evidence a risk is likely.
It often takes a crisis to draw attention by the EPA. Four recent catastrophic events have drawn attention to toxic chemicals and their effects due to irrefutable evidence and statistical numbers. , The Gulf War, 9/11/2001, Hurricane Katrina, and the BP Oil Spill exposed large populations to toxic chemicals. They have also required significant amounts of chemicals used in the aftermath, causing alarming numbers of cases of chemical toxicity. This has recently impacted the perception of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in patients.
Legislation and action can take decades and is met with fierce opposition of the chemical industry. For example, formaldehyde, used in most building materials, has been a known toxic compound for decades. The TSCA, only until it became a proven carcinogen, that the TCSA was modified in 2016. The TSCA has given restrictions for newer building materials, but does not address the materials most people live in. It took decades for the EPA to take action to protect citizens on asbestos, second hand tobacco smoke, heavy metals, ect.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) exist in our building materials, carpets, furniture (as flame retardants), household cleaning products, fragrances, air fresheners, personal sundries, and pesticides.
Toxic Chemicals We Bring Into Our Homes
LIVING ROOMS & BEDS:
- Rug, carpet, upholstery cleaners containing perchloroethylene, & naphthalene
- Furniture polish containing ammonia, naphtha, nitrobenzene, petroleum distillates, and phenol
- Air fresheners containing formaldehyde, petroleum distillates, p-dichlorobenzene, aerosol propellants
- Toilet bowl cleaners containing sodium bisulfate, 5-dimethyldantoin, hydrochloric acid, & phenol
- Mold and mildew cleaners containing chlorine and alkyl ammonium chlorides
- Drain cleaners containing lye and sulfuric acid
GARAGE & STORAGE:
- Motor oil
- Windshield washer fluid
- Dishwashing detergents containing cationic, anionic, or non- ionic solutions plus phosphates
- Oven cleaners containing Lye
- Antibacterial cleaners containing ammonia, bleach, cresol, phenol, lye, triclosan, & pine oil
- Window and glass cleaner containing ammonia or isopropanol
LAUNDRY ROOM / UTILITY CLOSET:
- Many laundry detergent containing cationic, anionic, or non- ionic solutions
- Household cleaners containing ammonia, sodium hypochlorite (bleach) ethylene glycol monobutyl acetate
(NOTE: mixing cleaners with ammonia and bleach is dangerous and can create coloring gas which is toxic to the respiratory system and fatal)
NON-TOXIC CLEANING PRODUCTS
There are many non-toxic cleaning supply options available if you look for them. Be diligent in reviewing the labels. Green doesn’t necessarily mean non-toxic.
In addition, there are many tried and true DYI household cleaning solutions that are equally as effective and significantly less expensive. We recommend considering these everyday products to create your own cleaning supplies that are free of chemical toxins.
Also, you can find numerous recipes and combinations for almost every household cleaning efforts on the web or on YouTube.
- Baking soda
- Lemons (juice)
- Distilled water
- Liquid Castile soap
- Soap nuts
- Tea Tree Oil
- Natural salt
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Washing soda
PRODUCTS WE RECOMMEND
For Mold sensitive patients, we recommend the following cleaning products that are made with some of the same active ingredients Mead Indoor uses to remediate your home. They are all natural, non toxic, and safe for children and pets. You can purchase directly from us or via the web on this site.
EC3 Laundry Additive:
Use in your washing machine rinse cycle. Also contains tea tree oil for additional anti-microbial properties and fresh fragrance. Also removes bacterial “stink” and musty smells.
IQAir HealthPro Compact Air Purifier
Mold spore control, Pet dander control, House dust mite control, Pollen Control, Etc.
User Control Panel
High-Performance Centrifugal Fan
Dual Floor Air Intake
KEEPING YOUR HOME ALLERGEN, MOLD, AND TOXIN FREE
For patients with severe allergies and mold sensitivities, the most effective tool in keeping your home free of allergens and mold is weekly vacuuming with a closed / sealed canister HEPA vacuum. These vacuums remove dust (which can distribute toxins) and microscopic particles that can be tracked into the home daily. This includes carpets, upholstered furniture, floors, and other fabric items in your home (lamp shades, curtains, dog beds, etc).
Just because the vacuum says HEPA, doesn’t necessarily make it effective. We suggest closed / sealed canister vacuums to avoid redistributing the particles into the air.
Mead Indoor has tried numerous brands over the years. We have had success, longevity, and have used the following vacuums with success:
Electromagnetic Hypersensitivity (“EHS”)
EHS is a controversial diagnosis where the body is sensitive to non-ionized radiation generated by electromagnetic fields from power lines, cell towers and other electronic devices including household electric appliances and WiFi.
EHS are often self diagnosed and often meets pushback by the Medical community as it is not a recognized diagnosis by the medical establishment; however, several countries recognize the diagnosis and categorize EHS as a disability. Physicians in general believe the symptoms are real; but, often refer to a psychiatrist.
- General: fatigue, headache, sleep disturbance, flu-like symptoms
- Heart and Circulation: chest pain, shortness of breath, blood pressure changes, arrhythmias, nosebleeds, cold extremities
- Brain: dizziness, confusion, lack of concentration, memory impairment, dyslexia, difficulty learning, mood swings
- Ears: earache, tinnitus, imbalance
- Eyes: dry and gritty, eyelid tics, irritation, pressure behind the eyes
- Skin: rash, crawling sensations, dry skin, irritation, lumps, itchy brown ‘sun spots’
- Muscles: numbness, weakness, restless legs, spasms/tremors, pain in jaw and teeth
- Sensitivities: chemical, light, noise, and smell
It is believed that patients with EHS are also have MCS and mold sensitivities.
The field of Bau-Biology has historically recognized EHS and can conduct testing of homes to provide helpful suggestions to avoid dangerous electromagnetic fields.