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Home > Overview > Expanding Knowledge > Research Program > Research Projects > The Medical Perspective on Environmental Sensitivities
The Medical Perspective on Environmental Sensitivities
By: Margaret E. Sears (M.Eng., Ph.D.) The opinions expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Canadian Human Rights Commission. This report is also available in .pdf format Comments? Send us an email. See also: Policy on Environmental Sensitivities
Table of Contents Abstract
Executive Summary
Introduction
What are “environmental sensitivities”? Diagnostic criteria
Prevalence
Summary
Recognition and medical education Recognition International recognition of environmental sensitivities
Recognition of environmental sensitivities by the Canadian federal government and national bodies
Recognition of environmental sensitivities by Canadian provincial bodies
Summary
Awareness of environmental sensitivities by health care practitioners Physicians’ organizations
Medical schools and continuing medical education
Summary
Initiating factors, triggers and symptoms of environmental sensitivities, and their impacts in the workplace Agents initiating the condition of environmental sensitivities and triggering reactions
Symptoms
Impacts of environmental sensitivities in the workplace
Summary
Origins of environmental sensitivities The controversies Physical or psychological origins
Allergy/role of the immune system
Possible explanations Chemical exposures
Neural sensitization
Receptor sensitization
Inflammatory cycle
Overload
Summary
Diagnosis and treatment of sensitivities Summary
Building codes, regulations and guidelines Building codes International initiatives
Canadian federal initiatives
Provincial initiatives
Municipal measures and roles
Summary
Indoor environmental quality Air quality
Microbes - moulds and bacteria
Ventilation
Pest control
Electromagnetic radiation and fields Lighting
Electromagnetic radiation arising from the use of electricity
Summary
Accommodating and preventing environmental sensitivities Environmental sensitivities and the workplace Organization of the work space
Energy costs vs. ventilation
Buildings’ surroundings
Air quality inside vehicles
Accommodation resources Publications related to the workplace
Publications related to “green” buildings
Best practices - Accommodations for children in daycares and schools
Costs and benefits of accommodations Summary
Conclusions Appendix A: Acronyms and abbreviations
Appendix B: Collaborators, people and organizations consulted
Appendix C: Resources
Appendix D: Thomson recommendations (1985) and progress to 2006
References Tables Table 1: Names used for aspects of environmental sensitivities and commonly overlapping conditions
Table 2: International recognition of environmental sensitivities
Table 3: Recognition of environmental sensitivities by the Canadian federal government and national bodies
Table 4: Provincial Ministry of Health recognition of environmental sensitivities
Table 5: Recognition of environmental sensitivities and possibly-related conditions on Workers’ Compensation Boards websites
Table 6: Typical agents that trigger reactions in susceptible individuals (and may contribute to initiation of environmental sensitivities)
Table 7: Environmental sensitivity symptoms/reactions
Table 8: International initiatives addressing environmental sensitivities in building
Table 9: Canadian national initiatives addressing environmental sensitivities in building
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