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Self-reported chemical sensitivity in Germany: a population-based survey
Constanze Hausteiner1, Susanne Bornschein, Jochen Hansen
1Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, Germany. c.hausteiner@lrz.tum.de
International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
|August 5, 2005
Summary
Self-reported chemical sensitivity affects 9% of Germans, but physician-diagnosed multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is rare (0.5%). Symptoms and triggers in sensitive individuals don't differ from the general population, questioning MCS as a distinct syndrome.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Clinical Toxicology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Environmental clinics see patients with fears and complaints linked to environmental triggers.
- Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) is an overreaction to chemicals, but lacks defined clinical features.
- Information on chemical sensitivity and MCS prevalence in Germany is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the frequency of self-reported chemical sensitivity and diagnosed MCS in Germany.
- To investigate symptoms and perceived environmental triggers in individuals reporting chemical sensitivity.
- To explore the validity of MCS as a distinct clinical syndrome.
Main Methods:
- A representative survey of 2032 adult Germans was conducted.
- Data collected included self-reported chemical sensitivity, physician-diagnosed MCS, symptoms, and perceived triggers.
- Factor analysis was used to examine environmental trigger patterns.
Main Results:
- 9% reported chemical sensitivity; 0.5% had physician-diagnosed MCS.
- Common complaints included headache, fatigue, sleep issues, and mood changes, but no distinct symptom cluster was identified.
- Two-thirds of the general population and 35% of the chemically sensitive denied a link between complaints and triggers.
- Trigger combinations were linked to exposure situations, not chemical similarity.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of subjective chemical sensitivity in Germany aligns with international rates.
- Awareness and diagnosis of MCS appear lower in Germany compared to the USA.
- Data suggest that symptoms and triggers in chemically sensitive individuals do not significantly differ from the general population.
- The study questions the existence of a widespread new syndrome related to chemical sensitivities in Germany and highlights limitations of self-report for MCS diagnosis.