Another Earth Day has come and gone, and with it the reminder that we need to take better care of our home. Each year on April 22nd, people around the world take a good look at the state that the planet is in, and are reminded that human action is the only way to undo all the wrongs that we […]
Montreal is home to a diverse array of institutions showcasing different elements of the natural world. It is not uncommon for those residing in or nearby the metropolis to have visited or heard of one of these five influential institutions, after all it is not only their educational value that makes them well-known, but also their architecture, which enriches Montreal’s […]
Over one million Canadians have been diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), a recognized disability under the Canadian Human Rights Act.[1] The number of diagnosed cases has been increasing (Statistics Canada, 2015-2016), with up to 75% being women and close to 50% being seniors (Statistics Canada, 2016). Despite these facts, it is likely that many people have never heard about […]
‘You’re Too Sensitive!’.
Environmental Triggers Impacting Everyday Life.
by most of us. We have become so acclimatized to the omnipresence of car exhaust, cologne and cleaning products, it’s just something we’ve learned to tolerate, carrying on in our personal and work lives without even a second thought.
In 2018, the U.S. state of Hawaii banned the sale of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate, two of the most commonly used UV blockers. Key West, a city in Florida, and Palau, a small island nation, followed suit with their own bans on the chemicals. It’s no coincidence these bans were all passed in coastal regions, home to marine environments. […]
Article by Rohini Peris and Michel Gaudet: Over one million Canadians have been diagnosed with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities (MCS). Up to 72% are women and close to 50% are seniors (Statistics Canada, 2020).[1] The number of diagnosed cases has been increasing (Statistics Canada, 2000-2020). MCS is a recognized disability under the Canadian Human Rights Act.[2] Yet it is likely that […]
History Toxicology began as the science of poisons. History shows that civilizations actually used their knowledge of poisons to murder and replace numerous kings and emperors. The concept of the use of chemical substances changed in the 15th century when Paracelsus, considered the father of modern toxicology, stated, “It’s the dose that makes the poison.” He understood that for every […]
The Environmental Health Association of Québec (ASEQ-EHAQ) recently sought volunteers to complete a survey “as part of [their] research study on the impacts of COVID-19 health measures on the quality of life of adults with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)”. Having suffered MCS for many years, I felt ready to reflect on my experience. Much of the survey asked about how […]
There are many reasons as to why you should or would want to switch from eating meals mainly comprised of conventionally grown foods, to favoring organic foods. Organic foods turn out to be more local, healthy, and grown sustainably when compared to their conventional counterparts. It may seem overwhelming and impossible to begin this shift, but step by step it […]
As January 1st creeps closer, New Year’s resolutions become a recurring thought in everyone’s mind. The arrival of the New Year has the ability to make most people look back at their year and contemplate what made them happy, what took up too much space and time, what was beneficial, and what could have been improved. In doing so, you […]