Prevalence and nature of allergy and chemical sensitivity in a general population

The objectives of this study were (a) to determine the self-reported prevalence of allergy and chemical sensitivity in a rural population of eastern North Carolina, (b) to determine the type and frequency of symptoms for each condition, and (c) to determine the demographic groups affected. A random general telephone survey was conducted during the period May 14, 1993, to September 10, 1993, and questions about allergy and chemical sensitivity were asked. Of the 1 446 households contacted, 1 027 (71%) individuals agreed to participate. Allergies were reported by 365 (35%) individuals. Thirty percent of allergic individuals reported that symptoms occurred once or more each week, whereas 61% reported that symptoms occurred, at most, once each month. Allergic symptoms that occurred daily were reported by 5.3% of the total population. Chemical sensitivity was reported by 336 (33%) individuals. Thirty-five per cent of chemically sensitive individuals reported symptoms at least once each week, whereas 53% reported that symptoms occurred once (or less) each month. Symptoms of chemical sensitivity that occurred daily were reported by 3.9% of the total population. Both allergy and chemical sensitivity were distributed widely across age, income, race, and educational groups. Simultaneous allergy and chemical sensitivity were reported by 16.9% of the population, allergy without chemical sensitivity by 16.0%, chemical sensitivity without allergy by 18.2%, and neither condition by 48.9%. If the prevalence of sensitivity to chemical irritants is, in fact, equivalent to that of allergy, as was found in this study, then support for the scientific investigation of chemical sensitivity is justified.