{"id":3258,"date":"2021-02-01T09:19:44","date_gmt":"2021-02-01T14:19:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/?p=3258"},"modified":"2021-02-01T09:20:28","modified_gmt":"2021-02-01T14:20:28","slug":"covid-19-and-multiple-chemical-sensitivity-thoughts-on-a-survey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aseq-ehaq.ca\/en\/covid-19-and-multiple-chemical-sensitivity-thoughts-on-a-survey\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID-19 and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: Thoughts on a survey"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Environmental Health Association of Qu\u00e9bec<\/a> (ASEQ-EHAQ) recently sought volunteers to complete a survey \u201cas 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)\u201d. Having suffered MCS for many years, I felt ready to reflect on my experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Much of the survey asked about how cleaning and sanitizing procedures and products have affected respondents\u2019 access to the workplace, health care, and other services, and their quality of life in the COVID era. A number of questions asked about our experience with seeking accommodation for the condition \u2013 such as requesting safe, scent free spaces, products, or social arrangements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As MCS is a recognized disability under the Canadian Human Rights Act, the needs of those suffering from it should be accommodated, as with any other disability. People with MCS are vulnerable to a range of common chemicals<\/a>, many of which are found in personal, cleaning, laundry, and medical products (including now ubiquitous hand sanitizer). For us, exposure to many chemicals \u2013 even at levels readily tolerated by others \u2013 can result in a range of debilitating impacts<\/a>, from trouble concentrating to headaches, fatigue, and muscle weakness, often lasting for hours to days, or even longer. My own reactions include confusion, irritability, and even panic, and I have a hard time explaining what is happening \u2013 which has led to a few less than stellar social (and professional) performances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I sometimes request accommodations, and often these are fairly well received. My immediate neighbour stopped using dryer sheets at my request; my co-working group adopted a scent-free policy; if I need to give the lab a blood sample, it is now done on my porch (for a fee).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But some of my requests have not been so well received, and have strained relationships with neighbours, friends, and even family. As a result, most of the time<\/strong> I don\u2019t actually seek accommodation for my condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One reason is that it\u2019s impractical to request a scent-free experience at Shopper\u2019s, on a train, or in an elevator. In these cases I can try alternatives \u2013 shopping online, driving, taking the stairs \u2013 or \u201cbite the bullet\u201d and risk suffering another exposure, and its consequences. But often I simply don\u2019t want to ask for accommodation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the survey questions asked me why I would make that choice. The reasons suggested reflected potential emotional and social repercussions of seeking accommodation. A few examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n