title: Prevalence of multiple chemical sensitivities: a population-based study in the southeastern United States.
abstract: We examined the prevalence of multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), a hypersensitivity to common chemical substances. We used a randomly selected sample of 1582 respondents from the Atlanta, Ga, standard metropolitan statistical area. We found that 12.6% of our sample reported the hypersensitivity and that, while the hypersensitivity is more common in women, it is experienced by both men and women of a variety of ages and educational levels. Our prevalence for MCS is similar to that (15.9%) found by the California Department of Health Services in California and suggests that the national prevalence may be similar.
authors.affiliation: State University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA 30118, USA. scaress@westga.edu
authors.forename: Stanley M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Caress
authors.forename: Anne C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Steinemann
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004781:Environmental Exposure; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018777:Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires