Prevalence of multiple chemical sensitivities: a population-based study in the southeastern United States.
2004 SM Caress and AC Steinemann
State University of West Georgia, Carrollton, Georgia 30118, USA. scaress@westga.edu
Abstract
We examined the prevalence of multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), a hypersensitivity to common chemical substances. We used a randomly selected sample of 1582 respondents from the Atlanta, Ga, standard metropolitan statistical area. We found that 12.6% of our sample reported the hypersensitivity and that, while the hypersensitivity is more common in women, it is experienced by both men and women of a variety of ages and educational levels. Our prevalence for MCS is similar to that (15.9%) found by the California Department of Health Services in California and suggests that the national prevalence may be similar.
ARTICLE RESOURCE:
Caress SM, Steinemann AC. State University of West Georgia (2004). Prevalence of multiple chemical sensitivities: a population-based study in the southeastern United States. American Journal of Public Health. 2004 May;94(5):746-7. PubMed.gov. PMID: 15117694 [PubMed – indexed for MEDLINE] PMCID: PMC1448331