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| | I Background and Historical Review |
 | | The condition now most commonly known as multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) was brought to the attention of the U.S. medical establishment when the late Theron Randolph, a physician trained in allergy and immunology, reported that a number of his patients reacted adversely to chemicals in their environment (Randolph, 1952). |
 | | MCS patients have associated their symptoms with many substances, including colognes and perfumes, aerosol air freshener, laundry detergent, gasoline exhaust, cleaners, insecticide sprays, and cigarette smoke (Ziem, 1992; Lax and Henneberger, 1995). |
 | | Topics that have been debated include: whether MCS is a distinct disease entity, its etiology (or etiologies), its pathophysiology, how to define the condition, how it should be treated, and how it should be approached in the legal and legislative arenas. |
| www.health.gov /environment/mcs/i.htm (1671 words) |
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