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Multiple chemical sensitivity: pseudodisease in historical perspective

E Shorter1

  • 1Department of History of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada.

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health
|January 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Multiple chemical sensitivity evolved from food allergy concerns, with environmental factors increasingly linked to widespread health worries. This diagnosis offers patients empathy and a perceived physical explanation traditional medicine may not provide.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Medicine
  • Toxicology
  • Psychosomatic Medicine

Background:

  • The concept of multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) has roots in early 20th-century food allergy theories.
  • Interest shifted towards environmental triggers in the 1950s, leading to widespread public concern about chemical exposure.
  • Public perception often views manufactured chemicals as more hazardous than natural substances, a view not necessarily supported by toxicological risk assessments.

Observation:

  • Symptoms initially attributed to "allergies" were increasingly diagnosed as "chemical sensitivities" from the 1960s onwards.
  • Clinical ecology concepts gained rapid public diffusion through media and advocacy groups, such as "Chemical Victims" and the "National Foundation for the Chemically Hypersensitive."
  • Patients seek alternative medical approaches for perceived validation, physical explanations, and collaborative care, which traditional medicine may not fully address.

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Findings:

  • Multiple chemical sensitivity diagnosis is characterized by vague criteria but resonates with patient needs for recognition and explanation.
  • The rise of clinical ecology highlights a demand for patient-centered care that acknowledges subjective experiences of suffering.
  • Public anxiety regarding environmental toxins, particularly manufactured chemicals, has fueled the growth of MCS as a recognized condition.

Implications:

  • Understanding the patient-doctor relationship is crucial in the context of MCS, as perceived empathy and validation play a significant role in patient satisfaction.
  • Further research is needed to reconcile public perception of chemical risks with toxicological data.
  • The diffusion of MCS as a diagnosis underscores the importance of addressing patient psychosocial needs within medical practice.