Environmental sensitivities can occur when people become sensitive to substances or phenomena in their everyday environment at levels well below what would be considered to be acceptable to "normal" people. Sensitivity reactions (1) can be triggered by scented products, cleaning products, laundry detergents, paints, petrochemicals, cigarette smoke, pesticides, pets, plants, fuels, electromagnetic radiation, molds and foods.

The effect of environmental sensitivities can be overwhelming. Productive people may suddenly or gradually become unable to tolerate offices, homes, schools, hospitals and public places. Employers, who may or may not be aware of the problem, may refuse to make the accommodations necessary to allow people affected to continue working in safety. Many people with sensitivities lose their jobs if they are not provided with the accommodations they need to work productively. Some become homeless. All too often, retirement savings are depleted and debts are incurred in an attempt to create safe living conditions and to fund the cost of treatment. Treatment of these problems can be expensive and difficult to obtain, and includes avoidance of offending agents. Some people with sensitivities do improve after many years if they are able to find a safe environment in which to live and work, and if they can obtain (and afford) treatments that are both tolerable and effective for them. Sadly, despite skills and education, some people with sensitivities end up on social assistance. Many become socially isolated as they are forced to retreat from places and activities they love, and for some, the devastation extends to losing spouses, family and friends who may not believe that they are ill.

The disability may be invisible, but it is real. Like others with disabilities, persons with sensitivities have special needs which include, but are not limited to: housing in a safe and tolerable environment so that their bodies can heal, well-tolerated, environmentally safe products available at a reasonable cost, consumer self-help groups, a support system, tolerable meeting places, publicly funded treatments, safe hospitals, schools and other pubic facilities, and accommodation in the workplace. Like all Canadians, we are entitled to freedom from discriminatory treatment, which includes the right to accessible workplaces, accommodation and public facilities. Notably, environmental sensitivities have been recognized as disabilities by the Canadian Human Rights Commission and many provincial human rights commissions.

EHAQ receives calls for help from persons with ES. There is no comprehensive treatment center in Quebec for people with sensitivities. Many conventional medical doctors have not been trained to recognize or treat environmental sensitivities. Generally, hospitals are not equipped to accommodate persons with sensitivities, although health care is considered a universal right.

On the other hand, an environmental health clinic, funded by the government of Nova Scotia, treats thousands of patients. The Canadian Medical Association has indicated that "there are many physicians who are acutely aware of the problems of environmental sensitivities ... have expertise in this area and are addressing the needs of patients with ... sensitivities". The Ontario College of Family Physicians trains doctors to recognize and treat environmental sensitivities. In Ottawa, several doctors treat patients with sensitivities and report that they have several thousand patients. Many Quebecers travel there at their own expense for consultation and treatment.

It is time now for Quebec to take care of the chemically injured.

If you or your family or friends have environmental sensitivities, we urge you to contact us for assistance. We also need the talents and skills of those of you who are well, whether you are family or friends who wish to help, or you are simply concerned about the effects of the environment on human health.

(1)
http://www.cdha.nshealth.ca/default.aspx?page=SubPage&centerContent.Id.0=13162&category.Categories.1=403

Possible symptoms include:

• Central nervous system - fatigue, tension, headaches, confusion, memory loss, depression, hyperactivity, sleep disturbances, dizziness.
• Gastrointestinal - bloating, nausea, constipation, cramps, diarrhea.
• Genitourinary - frequency, incontinence.
• Skin - eczema, flushing, rashes, hives.
• Musculoskeletal - muscles spasms, joint pain, backaches, swollen limbs.
• Respiratory - frequent colds, bronchitis, asthma, shortness of breath.
• Cardiovascular - rapid heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, hypertension, migraines.
• Ear, eye, nose, throat - nasal stuffiness, earaches, watery eyes, sinus infection, congestion.

Some factors which contribute to the development of ES:

• Exposure to chemicals such as solvents and pesticides or biological contaminants such as mold.
• Long term exposure to low levels of hazardous substances. Chronic low level exposure, at work and at home.
• A single overwhelming exposure such as a chemical spill.

Canadian Human Rights Commission

Reports

The legal perspective of Environmental Sensitivities
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/pdf/legal_sensitivity_en.pdf

The Medical Perspective of Environmental Sensitivities
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/pdf/envsensitivity_en.pdf

You can obtain a copy of these reports at no charge at: 1-888-214-1090 then select 'publications'.

Policy on Environmental Sensitivities
http://www.chrc-ccdp.ca/legislation_policies/policy_environ_politique-en.asp