ASEQ-EHAQ

L'Association pour la santé environnementale du Québec / Environmental Health Association of Québec

Invitation to Participate: Accessible-Ready Housing Standard Public Review

Dear MCS Community,

The Accessible-Ready Housing Standard is now open for public review, and we want to ensure that the voices of those affected by Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS) are heard. This is a valuable opportunity for us to help shape housing standards in a way that addresses the unique needs of people with MCS and other environmental sensitivities.

The review process is open until January 31, 2025, and we strongly encourage you to participate by submitting your suggestions on the draft standards.

Your Input Matters

The draft standard proposes recommendations for accessible housing design, with a focus on improving accessibility for people with various physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities. For individuals with MCS, housing can pose serious health challenges due to exposure to toxic chemicals, poor air quality, mold, and other environmental factors. It’s essential that these concerns are addressed in the standards.

By contributing your thoughts, you can help ensure that the standards include provisions that make housing safer and more livable for those with MCS, such as:

  • Improved air quality standards to reduce chemical exposure and allergens.
  • Non-toxic materials that minimize risks from off-gassing and environmental irritants.
  • Ventilation and mold control systems that support a healthy living environment.

How to Participate: Review and Submit Your Suggestions

We encourage you to review the Accessible Ready Housing draft document in its entirety. While the document covers a wide range of topics, there are certain sections that may be particularly relevant to people with MCS. We’ve highlighted some of these areas below to guide your review, but please feel free to add suggestions to any section you think requires attention.

Suggested Focus Areas for MCS Advocacy

While you should feel free to engage with any part of the document, here are some sections that may be of particular concern for people living with MCS:

  1. Air Quality Standards (Section 8.3)
    • Many individuals with MCS are highly sensitive to air pollutants. It is crucial that housing includes effective measures to maintain good indoor air quality, such as HEPA filtration systems, low-emission materials, and ventilation designs that prevent the circulation of harmful chemicals. It is also important to use the correct term ‘Multiple Chemical Sensitivity’ instead of ‘Chemical Sensitivity’ when referring to MCS.
  2. Building Materials and Finishes (General Section)
    • Materials like flooring, paints, caulking, adhesives, and insulation can release chemicals into the air, which can worsen symptoms for people with MCS. Consider advocating for clear guidelines on the use of zero to low-VOC, non-toxic, and hypoallergenic materials in construction and finishes.
  3. Ventilation Systems (Section 8.2)
    • A robust ventilation system which draws air from clean sources (away from smoking, heavy traffic, idling vehicles and other pollution) is key to preventing indoor air pollution. For people with MCS, ventilation systems should be designed to minimize chemical exposure, incorporate air purification, and ensure that air exchange rates are sufficient to keep living spaces safe. The cleaning of air ducts should use only zero VOC, non-toxic products, and not include any ‘cide’ (rodenticide, miticide, pesticide).  
  4. Mold Prevention and Moisture Control (Section 7.3)
    • Mold growth can trigger severe reactions in individuals with MCS. Ensuring that housing designs include landscaping that slopes away from the house, and mold-resistant materials, proper waterproofing, and moisture control systems is vital.
  5. Design for Sensory Accessibility (Section 7.2)
    • While primarily focused on physical accessibility, this section can be an opportunity to address chemical sensitivities in design. Propose considerations for creating spaces that minimize exposure to irritants and allow residents to control their environment to reduce chemical triggers.

How to Submit Your Suggestions

To submit your suggestions, follow these simple steps:

  1. Review the Draft Standards
    Carefully read through the full document. You can focus on the sections that are particularly relevant to MCS, but feel free to suggest changes anywhere you feel it’s needed.
  2. Track Your Ideas
    As you review, make a note of any thoughts or suggestions. You can use pen and paper, a computer, or even audio recordings—whatever works best for you. Make sure to keep track of the section number (e.g., 8.3, 7.2) so you can reference it when submitting.
  3. Prepare Your Suggestions
    For each suggestion, please include the following:
    • Type of suggestion (e.g., editorial, technical, general comment)
    • Section number (e.g., 8.3, 7.2)
    • What you think should be changed (e.g., update air quality standards, recommend non-toxic materials)
    • What it should be changed to (e.g., require HEPA filters, specify low-VOC options)
    • Why the change is important (e.g., to reduce chemical exposure for people with MCS)
    • Optional: Any additional files or supporting information (e.g., research, personal experiences)
  4. Submit Your Suggestions
    You can submit your feedback using one of the following options:
    • Online Form: Ideal if you plan to submit all your comments in one sitting.
    • Word Form: Best if you need to save your work and submit many suggestions.
    • Email: If you require an alternate format or have additional files, you can email your suggestions to asc.standards-normes.asc@asc-nac.gc.ca.
  5. Please submit all suggestions by 11:59 PM PST, January 31, 2025.