Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Measuring Fluxes of Mineral Nutrients and Toxicants in Plants with Radioactive Tracers
Published on: August 22, 2014
University of Toronto case-control study of multiple chemical sensitivity-3: intra-erythrocytic mineral levels
Cornelia J Baines1, Gail E McKeown-Eyssen, Nicole Riley
1Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. cornelia.baines@utoronto.ca
Background:
Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) has an estimated American prevalence of 15%, and no consistently abnormal laboratory tests are available to assist in its diagnosis. Some physicians treating MCS patients have observed changes in intra-erythrocytic minerals (IEMs). As co-factors, minerals could influence detoxication of xenobiotics.
Aim:
To test whether IEM differed comparing MCS cases with controls.
Methods:
A total of 408 women meeting validated inclusion and exclusion criteria for MCS participated in this case-control study.
Results:
No statistically significant differences were observed. However, for copper, chromium, magnesium, molybdenum, sulphur and zinc, mean detectable levels were all lower in cases. No dose-response relationships were found.
Conclusion:
IEM measurements do not appear to provide useful diagnostic markers for MCS.
