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What is MCS?
The
book
Understanding
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity:
Causes, Effects, Personal Experiences and Resources
Els Valkenburg
Publisher: McFarland
This personal
view of multiple chemical sensitivity and environmental illness is supported
by research. In a question-and-answer format,
the effects of
exposure to perfume, smoke, air fresheners, cleaning products, exhaust, and
other air contaminants are examined and
linked to
symptoms such as headaches, allergies, asthma, and fatigue. The book
contains additional testimony and reports from 37
sufferers, as
well as listings of resources and an index of related scientific articles.
Els Valkenburg wrote the first Dutch book on multiple
chemical
sensitivity, and this is the English-language edition. She operates the
resource Web site
www.the-abc-of-mcs.com.
She lives in
the Netherlands.
Contents
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The Foreword is written by Kim Schoppink of
Greenpeace.
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The Introduction explains why the author wrote this book and her
motivation and goals.
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The Seven Parts are described below.
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Part I
1. MCS: General
2. MCS: Treatment and
Strategies for Relief
3. MCS: Scientific
4. In Conclusion
Entries 1-35
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Part I: What Is MCS?
This part
covers many aspects of MCS, such as the general and scientific
(research/scientific models) approach and topics including adjustments in
your life and your home. Important and useful information is geared to MCS
patients and also for those who have simply experienced a sensitivity to
chemicals or have only experienced them recently. This part is for everyone
who takes an interest, from physicians to students, from scientists to nonprofessionals.
It
includes
answers to questions such as:
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Why are
MCS patients called yellow canaries?
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Perfume
never made people ill before; why does it happen now?
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Can an
MCS patient become ill as a result of something that has no smell?
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Isn’t
MCS just psychological?
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Part II
5. About MCS Itself
6. About Relationships
7. About Social Life
8. About Protective
Measures
9. Happy in Isolation?
Enries 36-93
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Part
II: The Personal Situation
This part
was written because many severe sufferers experience the same type of social
problems, such as learning to live with solitude, the loss of family and
friends, and maybe having to wear a respirator mask in public. We hope that
the recognition and the awareness of not being alone will provide comfort
and strength. It will also help relatives of patients understand that there
are others with similar problems who are also looking for a way to live and
survive. The author hopes that sharing the details of her own story will
lead to more understanding for and from other people.
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Part III
10. Owners of International
Organizations and Websites
11. The Voices of MCS
Patients from the Netherlands
12. In Memory of Deceased
MCS Patients
13. Links to Websites with
More Testimonies
Entries 94-140 |
Part III: The Voices of Others
People talk
about how they fell ill, how they learned – or, in some cases, did not learn
– to live with MCS. Appearing first are the stories of the owners of several
international MCS organizations, followed by the stories of a number of
Dutch patients and short stories commemorating several patients who have
passed away. The people who work to raise awareness and who try to help
others exhibit a positive example. |
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Part IV
The ABCs of MCS:
Tips and Advice in
Alphabetical Order
Entries 141-314
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Part IV: The ABCs of MCS: Tips and Advice in Alphabetical
Order
This part
contains lots of information, tips, advice, links and other reference
information. This part can be helpful for MCS sufferers who have severe or
milder cases. This could provide adequate support for MCS patients in
changing their lives.
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Part V
14. Films
15. A Few Books About MCS
16. Art and Music
17. Spiritual Nourishment
Entries 315-341
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Part V: Films, Books and Other Resources
This part
discusses movies and documentaries and includes several book reviews. Art,
music and a bit of spiritual nourishment are covered as well.
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Part VI
18. Articles
19. Websites
Entries 342-381
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Part VI: Further Resources
This part
contains links to all the scientific articles mentioned in the book, various
companies selling specific MCS products, MCS organizations and patient
groups, and other important and useful websites.
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Part VII
MCS Handout
Bibliography
Index
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Part
VII: Providing Information to Others
This part
contains a leaflet as attachment that can be used to raise awareness and
provide others with information. The leaflet can be cut out (or copied) and
given to family, friends, co-workers, neighbors, physicians or therapists.
This contains the most essential information and serves as an introduction
to MCS; its objective is to encourage people to find out more about the
subject or to start showing some understanding and respect for the MCS
patient.
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Media / Internet
Book Review : Understanding Multiple
Chemical Sensitivity Dec 1, 2009 (published
in the
American Chronicle)
Dutch book on Multiple Chemical
Sensitivity now published in English (published at The Canary Report)
EIR: Inspirational MCS sufferers have
books published (published at The
Environmental Illness Resource)

MCS America publishes Article on book
in Newsletter January 2010 (published
in MCSA News)

MCS Book written by Els Valkenburg now
introduced to Japan! (published
at the website of Citizens Against Chemicals Pollution (CACP))
New English MCS Book launched
worldwide by McFarland (published at EMM - Environmental
Medicine Matters)
Understanding MCS an interview with
Dutch author Els Valkenburg
(published at Planet Thrive)
Ordering
Book
The book
can be ordered online at:
McFarland
(US publisher of the MCS-book) -
Available for immediate
shipment - also for Individuals
Worldwide distribution/shipping (for more information
click on the drop down
menus for Individuals and for Others at their website).
Amazon.com
Worldwide
shipment.
Barnes & Noble
and other (online) bookstores.
ISBN:
978-0-7864-4443-4
224 pages
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