Chemical Sensitivity

This book, written from a patient’s perspective, first defines chemical sensitivity, then describes its effects, and discusses strategies for dealing with it. A complete resource listing, information on documenting a case, expert opinions on CS and an examination of the issues are included. An appendix provides detoxification data.

Bonnye L. Matthews developed chemical sensitivity from work-related, low-level toxic exposure. She lives in Wasilla, Alaska.

Bonnye L. Matthews

Foreword by Robert James Sinaiko, M.D.

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 291
Bibliographic Info: photos, tables, glossary, references, appendices, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2008 [1992]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3751-1
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1405-2
Imprint: McFarland

Foreword (by Robert James Sinaiko. M.D.)      ix
Preface      xi

1. What Is Chemical Sensitivity?      1
A Basic Introduction to CS      4
A Medical Overview of CS      12
Is CS Psychosomatic?      35

2. What It’s Like to Have Chemical Sensitivity      39
Experience During Disease Development      39
Experience After Disease Development      42
The Problem Patient with a Persistent Problem, Treated by Problem Physicians and Surrounded by Problem People      47

3. Coping with Chemical Sensitivity      71
Physician and Patient Decisions Regarding Exposure      72
Patient Education      74
General Coping Strategies      77
Warning      98

4. Resources for the Chemical Sensitive      101
Legal Counsel      102
Financial Resources      102
Medical Resources      107
Advocacy and Support Groups      108
Information on Chemical      110
Government Agencies      112
Legislators      113

5. Documenting the Chemical Sensitive’s Case      115
Initial Phase      116
Filing the Initial Claim      122
Workers’ Compensation      130
Additional Documentation      137

6. Society and the Chemical Sensitive      141
Issues in Chemical Sensitivity      141
Where Do We Go from Here?      147

Appendix A: Charts from Chapter 1      151
Appendix B: Detoxification      155
Appendix C: Opinions of Experts      159
Appendix D: Toxic Carpet Solution      181
Glossary      185
Bibliography      191
Index      271

• “covers chemical sensitivity from the patient’s perspective”—Library Journal
• “a heroic work…scientific and scholarly. …comprehensive, valuable, and sometimes moving account of chemical sensitivity”—Alternatives
• “this truly amazing book provides a realistic, careful introduction to chemical sensitivity and its impacts, and excellent gentle guidance on how to deal with daily life…numerous expert opinions”—NYCAP News
• “concentrates on the physical aspects of CS…a desirable acquisition”—Academic Library Book Review