Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

An acquired disorder that is characterized by recurrent symptoms that occur in response to exposure to a wide variety of chemical compounds at levels significantly below those which have an adverse effect on the general population. Commonly reported symptoms include difficulty breathing, chest pain, depression, fatigue, headache, inability to concentrate, joint and muscle pain, malaise, memory loss, confusion, dizziness, skin disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and irritations of the eye, ears, nose and throat. The condition is not formally recognized as a disease by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association or the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology; and there continues to be debate regarding whether the symptoms are physical or psychological in origin.