MCSCAN Australia
AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY DATABASE
LINKS
Planning:
A Layperson's Approach
MCSCAN Australia: - database design requirements
Duty of Care
Corporate
Responsibility
Community understanding and awareness
MCS:- Related Issues; Community.
Personal Stories In the life of an MCS Victim or their Carers
Articles and Progress Reports.
MCS: Related; Questions-and-Speculation
Conclusions and
Recommendations
Self Help Links. Information on how to clean without using Harmful Chemcials.
Summary: Public Database summary
COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDING AND AWARENESS OF THE
EXTENT OF MCS
There is a growing public awareness of the dangers of chemical use/misuse and the community is also becoming aware that there is a large pool of victims, requiring support and help.
It is becoming aware that the problem is extensive and progressive. Public pressure is beginning to demand answers and solutions from governments.
It has also attracted media attention and the publicity demonstrates that the condition is not restricted to one section of the community. It can also effect members and relatives of their families.
Some of the questions and concerns relate as follows: -
-
Need to provide an appropriate support infra-structure and mechanism through all levels of government.
-
Provide safe access to hospital and medical treatment. MCS Chemical free, including staffing conditions.
-
Provide safe accommodation (safe housing)
-
That the universities and other training centres provide appropriate training and qualifications in environmental and human toxicology.
-
Recognize this is a 21st century phenomena. Doctors, specialist and hospitals training needs, of necessity, require that a substantial form of medical training to include toxicology as part of the training of doctors, nurses, etc.
-
Research needs to consider the meaning of safe minimum levels, e.g. it might be safe to spray once but what about a build-up or any introduction into the environment, food chain, contamination and build up in our waterways, etc.
-
Unless action is taken and soon, the problem is likely to get too far out of hand and put into "the too hard basket".
-
Governments need to understand that it is necessary to ensure differing departments share knowledge and work together to develop policy and planning.
Unless action is taken, and taken soon, the problem is likely to get too far out of hand and finish in the "Too hard" basket.
In this circumstances the general attitude will evolve an attitude of ---- "We can't do anything about it, so we will just have to grin and bear it"; or alternatively "It is not our responsibility".
Discrimination Issues
In one sense the Victims of MCS are not only victims of the chemicals that have effected them, but are also denied Social Justice because of being denied access to rights that are the normal rights of society.
When closely examined there may be provisions under the various OH&S
and anti-discrimination laws and regulations. Further investigations into this area is needed.There is also a flow-on effect into the lives of Carers and family members who have to change their ways or living to fit in with what is best for the victim.
It is important to understand that
(MCS), is not a respecter of persons, regardless of age, sex, religion colour or creed or social or financial levels. It can attack at any time during a person’s lifetime.It is imperative on governments to recognize that, part of Duty of Care, is to put in place policies that will protect, as far as possible, the rights of the Victims and their families and Carers, to allow them a reasonable quality of life, when supported by appropriate resources.
We already have those policies applying to the Physically and Mentally handicapped; but! for the moment not to Victims of MCS.
Chemicals are used in and around schools and community centres for cleaning, as pesticide and Weedicide controls. It is also used to clean and disinfect buildings.
T
here are many instances where these have had a severe effect on people suffering from the effects of MCS to the extent that they are unable to enter public buildings.Sick Building Syndrome
Toxic building materials and chemicals cause "sick building" syndrome.
Therefore, it is important that we look for and consider alternatives, replacing the materials with safe alternatives that might be available.
Chemical Termite treatments are dangerous to everyone, not just MCS victims.
All chemicals are dangerous to everyone.
MCS victims are usually the people who are more sensitive to the effects of using chemicals.
They are in a sense, our human "mine canaries", and when there is a reaction from them it should also trigger alert to the community.
It is not sufficient to consider that because you don't appear to be effected, there is nothing there. You may be less sensitive or may even not acquire the sensitivity until there is further pro-longed contact.
Chemical termite treatments are dangerous to everyone, whether victims of MCS or not. There are also some questions about how effective the present treatments are.
They are not completely effective and thus there is a need for re-application; each time increasing the take up into the environment and placing people at risk.
We need to consider and investigate alternative means to the problems and these should be replaced with safe alternatives that are available especially with physical barriers in new buildings.
In some cases the use of chemicals have even made it impossible for child MCS sufferers to attend school because their peers wear scents, hairsprays, scented soaps and talcum powders, etc.
Chemicals used in public places, because of their effect on MCS victims deny them the right to attend public functions, theatres, dance, restaurants, etc and enjoy a reasonable quality of life.
