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New Peer-Reviewed Study Confirms over 1.13 Million Canadians are Living with MCS

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/23/2/236

Screenshot from MCS-Aware March 2026 Newsletter

#MultipleChemicalSensitivity #MCS

New Peer-Reviewed Study Confirms over 1.13 Million Canadians are Living with MCS

A newly published peer-reviewed study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health confirms the sustained prevalence of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) in Canada. Robins, Molot, and Peris (2026) analysed national data collected by Statistics Canada between 2000 and 2020 and found that over 1.13 million Canadians live with a diagnosis of MCS. Approximately 72% are women, underscoring the important gendered dimensions of this recognized disability.

The analysis further shows that MCS prevalence increases with age for both sexes. Although women are diagnosed at nearly three times the rate of men overall, age-stratified findings indicate that males account for a notable share of diagnosed cases within younger age groups. This highlights the importance of early prevention and exposure reduction strategies. To read key findings and press release click here.

Attributed quote: “This study confirms what our community has long known — multiple chemical sensitivity is measurable, documented, and nationally recognized. With over 1.13 million Canadians affected and more than two decades of federal data tracking the condition, MCS demands evidence-based policy, accommodation, and prevention strategies.

RESILIENCE: The International Conference on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) 2026

https://aseq-ehaq.ca/en/resiliencemcsconference-2026/

Organised by the Environmental Health Associations of Canada and Québec.

This follows similar conference held in 2025:
https://aseq-ehaq.ca/en/resiliencemcsconference/

#MultipleChemicalSensitivity #MCS

NEW PEER-REVIEWED STUDY CONFIRMS OVER 1.13 MILLION CANADIANS LIVING WITH MULTIPLE CHEMICAL SENSITIVITY

https://aseqmail.moosend.com/show_campaign/87493395-7dd7-451d-b97b-fd0eb026f604

As of 2020, 3.5% of Canadians (n = 1,130,801) had been diagnosed with MCS

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/23/2/236

#Canada #HealthResearch #MCS #MultipleChemicalSensitivity #ScentFree

A historical overview of early immune research in MCS

https://mcs-aware.org/articles/a-historical-overview-of-early-immune-research-in-mcs/

Screenshot is from the December 2025 MCS-Aware email bulletin

#MCS #MultipleChemicalSensitivity

Early Scientific Research

The MCS Taskforce has been reviewing early scientific research that explored possible immune

system involvement in Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Several studies from the 1980's and 1990's reported autoantibodies and other immune changes in a proportion of people with MCS, suggesting biological patterns that may be worth revisiting.

Researchers at the time also experimented with “chemical antibody” testing, although it is unclear whether these tests still exist today. While these findings are historical and not part of current medical practice, they provide useful context for understanding how scientific interest in MCS has evolved.

You can read our full member-friendly summary of this research on our website.

The ‘La Presse’ has published a response defending fragrance-free environments and the rights of people living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

https://mcs-aware.org/articles/rights-of-people-living-with-mcs-defended-by-press/

Google English translation
https://www-lapresse-ca.translate.goog/dialogue/opinions/2025-11-03/replique/les-environnements-sans-parfum-ne-sont-pas-frivoles.php?_x_tr_sl=fr-CA&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en-US&_x_tr_pto=wapp

#MCS #MultipleChemicalSensitivity

Rights of people living with MCS defended by Press
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Nov
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The ‘La Presse’ has published a response from The Environmental Health Association of Canada, defending fragrance-free environments and the rights of people living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. This is great news and a significant breakthrough for our MCS community.

‘Le Presse’ a French- language digital news outlet, with content available on its website and mobile app. Its considered a major news source for Canada. Its based in Montreal, Quebec founded in 1884. Its free to access for readers and covers a diverse range of topics including national, international, business, sports and cultural news.

Link to the publication ‘Scent-free environments are not frivolous’ here.

Redox Status in Patients Suffering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS): A Pilot Study

https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/14/17/6185

Image is screenshot from MCS-Aware November 2025 Newsletter

#MCS #MultipleChemicalSensitivity

Oxidative Stress Status in Patients with MCS (A Pilot Study)

J.Clin.Med.2025,14(17),6185; Published:

2 September 2025

This study, published in The Journal of Clinical Medicine, explored oxidative stress in MCS patients compared to healthy individuals, focusing on blood plasma and red blood cell markers. Results suggest oxidative stress plays a key role in MCS, especially through disruption of the red blood cells’ glutathione cycle. The research emphasises the importance of investigating the molecular mechanisms behind MCS, aiming to refine diagnosis and treatment. Insights into cellular oxidative imbalances could help explain the widespread dysfunction seen in those with MCS.

https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14176185

Insights & Impact from the Resilience International Conference on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)

Links:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laLW8eG89Vs
https://aseq-ehaq.ca/en/resiliencemcsconference/

Images screenshot from MCS-Aware July email bulletin

#MCS #MultipleChemicalSensitivity @mcs

Yesterday was my first World Sjogren's Day since getting diagnosed. It has been over 8 years since I went to my doctor about postpartum symptoms that wouldn't go away and they asked "Have you tried looking it up online?" I was very much on my own until my doctor left the practice and I got assigned a nurse practitioner who took me seriously. Most of my symptoms were related to histamine responses to scented products. To get into see an environmental allergy specialist, I had to be screened for autoimmune diseases. It took about two years from the blood tests to the biopsy that confirmed Sjogren's. Now I am being monitored for systemic involvement and other autoimmune diseases. I eventually got into the environmental allergies clinic and got diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. More diagnostic adventures await as we figure out what's going on with my mast cells. The good thing is that while there's no cure for Sjogren's or MCS, I am doing all of the things I can (My doctor says I am the perfect patient who goes above and beyond!). The main guidance - "Don't get sick!" so I mask up around others. Ironically, Sjogren's prescribes low impact exercise and MCS high impact so training 80-20 for ultra marathons is a perfect fit. Running is my medicine!

#Sjogrens #SjogrensDisease #Running #AutoimmuneDiseases #MultipleChemicalSensitivity #UltraTrail #GetOutside #Zone2Running #MaskUp #CovidIsNotOver #ScentFree

A selfie of a middle aged white woman mid run in sunglasses and a running pack.

I think a neighbor has a night-blooming flower. Now I'm getting nightly migraines from random wafts of intense fruity smells. Idk how to describe it. #multiplechemicalsensitivity

Some comments on the RESILIENCE: The International Conference on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) in May 2025 ( https://aseq-ehaq.ca/en/resiliencemcsconference/ ) from the MCS Aware June email bulletin

#MCS #MultipleChemicalSensitivity
@mcs

We hope that you had a chance to watch or listen to the MCS conference in May. We would be interested to have your feedback on what you found to be most useful. Some of the key takeaways were:
The conference emphasized the importance of scientific research on the biological mechanisms of MCS.
It highlighted the lack of awareness among healthcare practitioners, which hinders diagnosis, treatment, and research, restricting education for future medical professionals.
The conference advocated for policy changes to improve recognition and accessibility for people with MCS, including addressing barriers in healthcare settings and ensuring protection from chemical exposures.
Day 2 of the conference focused on qualitative research, international perspectives on MCS, and bias in scientific research.

US research:
Effects of COVID-19 pandemic on individuals with chemical intolerance

https://fmch.bmj.com/content/fmch/13/2/e003081.full.pdf

"The purpose of this study was to determine if the COVID-19 pandemic had differential effects on individuals with chemical intolerances"

#MCS #MultipleChemicalSensitivity @mcs @longcovid
#LongCovid #PwLC #PostCovidSyndrome #LC #PASC #postcovid
#CovidBrain
@covid19 #COVIDー19 #COVID19 #COVID #COVID_19 #SARSCoV2

Kathleen describes the problems people living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) face. She also gives information on other MCS groups that may be useful.

https://www.lymedisease.org/hidden-struggles-mcs/

#MultipleChemicalSensitivity #MCS @mcs

A sample letter (which of course can be adjusted) that could be used to write to a neighbour to explain your environmental intolerances.

From MCS Aware

https://mcs-aware.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Letter-to-give-to-neighbours-MCS-And-EHS-2024.pdf

#MCS MCS@a.gup.pe #MultipleChemicalSensitivities #MultipleChemicalSensitivity

Dear Neighbour,
I am writing to ask for your help. As you may know I suffer from Environmental Illness. This means that I get disabling symptoms from exposure to various chemicals and electrical frequencies. Symptoms can occur in more than one organ system in the body, such as the nervous system, the lungs, and the vascular system (heart problems). Exposures can come through the air, from food and water, or through the skin. After a reaction I am left feeling exhausted for several days, sometimes bedbound; it’s like having very severe flu. The annoying thing is that I don’t have to feel this ill – when I’m not reacting to things I am able to live and work much more normally.
The main treatment for Environmental Illness is to avoid the things that make you ill. This sounds easy, but the more things I react to, the more ill I get and then I react to even more things. It’s a vicious circle. I have spent a lot of time making my home as safe as possible and doing as much as I can. I am writing to ask if you can help me by making small changes which will make a big difference to my life.

People with multiple chemical sensitivity are taking housing needs into their own hands by making chemical-free rental properties available. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/06/08/national/science-health/multiple-chemical-sensitivity/?utm_content=buffera2df2&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #news #japan #health #chemicals #multiplechemicalsensitivity

Hashtags as #introduction dump, because I didn't like the aesthetic of them in my profile:

My big 5: #music (#vinyl #metal #doom #BlackMetal #metalhead), #dogs (#AdoptDontShop), #books (#reading #fiction #comics), #nature (#camping #hiking #mountains), #StarWars

My background: #science #editor #writing #blogging #fashion #LinguaLatina #Sulpicia #Classics #exvangelical #MultipleChemicalSensitivity

FFS: #MaskUp #COVIDisNotOver #COVIDisAirborne #UniversalHealthCare

2/
"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the largest healthcare employer in the United States, and has adopted a scent-free policy."

From:
"Multiple Chemical Sensitivity"

https://mecfssa.org.au/resources/multiple-chemical-sensitivity-mcs

#NoScentMakesSense #MCS #CleanAir #MultipleChemicalSensitivity @chronicillness #EI