Community and individual fears.

MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity) is not only a problem of industrial nations and modern agricultural practices. It is also a problem for third world countries, as chemicals, not allowed in western countries are off loaded into the third world countries.

Fears 

Their fears! And why not? This is understandable. 

Tell me of MCS victims choosing to become poisoned!   There is anger, fear and many other emotions involved as they consider the hopelessness of their plight

Most  believing no one is interested or believes them when they say there is something wrong.  

When they seek assistance or help they are often labelled as trouble makers.

Others withdraw within themselves; as the victims become frustrated and disillusioned over their treatment and the lack of interest in their plight by the medical profession or government, (see comment regarding MS).

The governments and health system are failing their patients.

It is ignoring the problem or bundling it up with other diseases without investigating the problems. 

Alternatively others claiming there is no proof such a condition exists.  Tell that to those who suffer the pain; of being unable to participate in the community.

That is certainly true when all parties e.g. governments, authorities, medical and scientific organisations are reluctant to admit there might be a problem and are also reluctant to take action.

There are those among the professionals who do not understand the effects and take the easy path by a referral to a psychiatric facility for the victims.

CHEMICAL DISRUPTORS

Many chemicals are endocrine disruptors, which effect the hormones and therefore emotions.

documented studies show that "Roundup changes the menstruation cycles in woman.  Some female victims complain that after coming in contact they commence lactating and bleeding

Understanding the fears of MCS Victims.

It is understandable why victims, based on their own experience, may not want to provide information that is personal; that will identify them, despite the fact it could help them. 

Mentioned further into this document are examples that detail some of the reasons.

I found it an amazing but shocking fact when I started to work on this document to read and hear personal accounts

One may be forgiven for developing a cynical view of the attitude of government departments and authorities at times.

A view held by many in authority,  apparently, is that it is not illegal to harm people with approved chemicals, therefore their hands are tied.  Well at least under the present laws and regulations. 

Their ability to act is restricted only to when the chemicals are illegal.  If these poison or injure the public or individuals then the authorities can act promptly.

However, if a person is poisoned or injured with approved chemicals there appears to be little flexibility for authorities to act apart from reviewing the problem and possibly issuing a warning. 

The law  must be reviewed where it has been shown that  the use any chemical has caused an injury or poisoned people or animals or the environment.

Its use revoked and /or it goes on to the illegal list of chemicals.  To be consistent it must apply to any chemical approved or not, and needs to consider appropriate action once a situation has arisen with adverse reactions.

Investigations can then be put in place as to why it should have approval to use revoked, e.g. careless use and procedures, OH&S issues, inappropriate education and training in the use of the product, etc.

Surely this emphasizes the need to review such laws and amend them where required.

Corporations should no longer avoid their corporate responsibility and should be made accountable for their research, labelling, etc, as well as their use. 

In the past, the usual abrogation of responsibility is to state that "it meets the Australian minimum standards".

I have evidence of where a similar incidence was brought before a Minister and the reply was as above, implying that as far as he was concerned this is where the matter should rest.  

Indeed,  it should not rest there! If the Minister had been protecting the rights of his constituents then he should have brought it to the notice of the government and asked for an inquiry.

Community Fears Due to Ignorance

The there is another community fear, which is a result of ignorance.  Ignorance brought about by the lack of information that is given to the public regarding the use of chemicals.

Many Victims suffer from ignorance within the community, as ill-informed sections of the public fear what they don’t understand.

There are recorded instances  where the victims have been harassed.

Victims have told me of instances of MCS victims suffering from vicious practical jokes by people deliberately spreading chemicals where they know victims will come in contact, just so they can see how the victim will react on contact.

It is important that the community understands that these acts of vandalism, pranks, intimidation, etc. potentially could lead to criminal charges, e.g. if a victim was to be seriously hurt or even die as a result of these sorts of actions.

Do we need to wait for that stage before act can be taken?

One such case was of a victim ringing the police for advice or assistance and merely to ask whether something be done to stop chemical spraying near them.

They (the victims) were verbally  attacked and asked "and what drugs are you on", implying that they are under the influence of drugs.  Not the least interest in the fact that someone's life was endangered.

Others,  in authority,  who should know better, appear to act as though it is the victims’ fault there is a problem. 

It is a prime example of avoiding doing anything by making the victim into the villain, i.e. "It is your own fault".

I understand, but have been unable to confirm it yet, that there is a case on  record  where a child was dowsed in lighter fluid.  The resultant adverse reaction led to the child being placed in a psychiatric facility.

Other "victims/patients" have been referred to a psychiatric facility, because the tending doctor, having no previous experience with environmental toxicity and could not diagnose the problem.  

Some Victims, once placed in these facilities, find their life and rights are in chaos once the "Guardianship" system takes over.

Bureaucracy takes over the rights and decisions in the life of the victim and basically the ownership of their lives and assets. 

It is often a difficult and expensive legal process for the families to have decisions of the authorities over-ridden, even when the truth is finally known.

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