This book, written from a patient’s perspective, first defines chemical sensitivity, then describes its effects, and discusses strategies for dealing with it. A complete resource listing, information on documenting a case, expert opinions on CS and an examination of the issues are included. An appendix provides detoxification data.

Bonnye L. Matthews developed chemical sensitivity from work-related, low-level toxic exposure. She lives in Wasilla, Alaska.

Bonnye L. Matthews

Foreword by Robert James Sinaiko, M.D.

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 291
Bibliographic Info: photos, tables, glossary, references, appendices, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2008 [1992]
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3751-1
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1405-2
Imprint: McFarland

Foreword (by Robert James Sinaiko. M.D.)      ix

Preface      xi

1. What Is Chemical Sensitivity?      1

A Basic Introduction to CS      4

A Medical Overview of CS      12

Is CS Psychosomatic?      35

2. What It’s Like to Have Chemical Sensitivity      39

Experience During Disease Development      39

Experience After Disease Development      42

The Problem Patient with a Persistent Problem, Treated by Problem Physicians and
Surrounded by Problem People      47

3. Coping with Chemical Sensitivity      71

Physician and Patient Decisions Regarding Exposure      72

Patient Education      74

General Coping Strategies      77

Warning      98

4. Resources for the Chemical Sensitive      101

Legal Counsel      102

Financial Resources      102

Medical Resources      107

Advocacy and Support Groups      108

Information on Chemical      110

Government Agencies      112

Legislators      113

5. Documenting the Chemical Sensitive’s Case      115

Initial Phase      116

Filing the Initial Claim      122

Workers’ Compensation      130

Additional Documentation      137

6. Society and the Chemical Sensitive      141

Issues in Chemical Sensitivity      141

Where Do We Go from Here?      147

Appendix A: Charts from Chapter 1      151

Appendix B: Detoxification      155

Appendix C: Opinions of Experts      159

Appendix D: Toxic Carpet Solution      181

Glossary      185

Bibliography      191

Index      271

• “Covers chemical sensitivity from the patient’s perspective”—Library Journal
• “A heroic work…scientific and scholarly. …comprehensive, valuable, and sometimes moving account of chemical sensitivity”—Alternatives
• “This truly amazing book provides a realistic, careful introduction to chemical sensitivity and its impacts, and excellent gentle guidance on how to deal with daily life…numerous expert opinions”—NYCAP News
• “Concentrates on the physical aspects of CS…a desirable acquisition”—Academic Library Book Review