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Identification of responsible volatile chemicals that induce hypersensitive reactions to multiple chemical sensitivity patients

Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology volume 14, pages 84–91 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) has become a serious problem as a result of airtight techniques in modern construction. The mechanism of the MCS, however, has not been clarified. Responsible chemicals and their exposure levels for patient's hypersensitive reactions need to be identified. We measured the exposure of 15 MCS patients to both carbonyl compounds and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may induce hypersensitive reactions. The exposures of those not suffering from MCS (non-MCS individuals) were also measured at the same time. To characterize the chemicals responsible for MCS symptoms, we applied a new sampling strategy for the measurement of carbonyls and VOCs using active and passive sampling methods. The results of our study clearly demonstrated that the chemicals responsible for such hypersensitive reactions varied from patient to patient. Moreover, the concentrations during hypersensitive symptoms, which were apparent in some of the MCS patients, were far below both the WHO and the Japanese indoor guidelines. The average exposure levels of MCS patients within a 7-day period were lower than those of paired non-MCS individuals except for a few patients who were exposed to chemicals in their work places. This result indicates that the MCS patients try to keep away from exposures to the chemical compounds that cause some symptoms.

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Acknowledgements

We thank Dr. Yoshinaga, Dr. Fujii, Mr. Kumagai, Mr. Yamamoto, and Mrs. Saitho (all of the University of Tokyo); Dr. Yamasaki (National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology); and Dr. Ishikawa, Dr. Miyata, and Dr. Sakabe (at the Kitasato Institute Hospital) for their valuable contributions to our research. This study was supported by the Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science and Technology from the Science and Technology Agency of Japan.

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  1. Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, Institute of Environmental Studies, The University of Tokyo, Japan

    Naohide Shinohara, Atsushi Mizukoshi & Yukio Yanagisawa

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  1. Naohide Shinohara
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  2. Atsushi Mizukoshi
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  3. Yukio Yanagisawa
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Correspondence to Naohide Shinohara.

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Shinohara, N., Mizukoshi, A. & Yanagisawa, Y. Identification of responsible volatile chemicals that induce hypersensitive reactions to multiple chemical sensitivity patients. J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol 14, 84–91 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500303

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jea.7500303

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