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Overview

Expanding Knowledge

Research Program

Appendix B: Annotated List of Available Resources

Articles

Ad Hoc Committee on Environmental Hypersensitivity Disorders, report to Murray J. Elston, Minister of Health (August 1985). This report details the knowledge about environmental hypersensitivity, especially its prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment.

Advisory Panel on Environmental Hypersensitivity, report to R. Reid, Assistant Deputy Minister of Health (September 8 1986). Review of the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Environmental Hypersensitivity Disorders.

Afram, R., "New Diagnoses and the ADA: A Case Study of Fibromyalgia and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity" (2004), 4 Yale J. Health Pol’y L. & Ethics 85. Extensive review of cases in relation to whether fibromyalgia and MCS are a disability under the ADA.

Allergy and Environmental Health Association, "The Environment of Learning: How School Boards Can Help," PowerPoint presentation (n.d.). This presentation provides information about environmental sensitivities in order to promote better indoor school environments and air quality.

Ashford, N. & Miller, C., "Chemical Sensitivity: A Report to the New Jersey Department of Health" (December 1989). This report provides a review of MCS and cautions against pursuing psychological causes of illness before environmental causes have been ruled out.

Bigenwald, C.A., Director, District Health Council Program, memorandum to D.W. Corder, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Ontario Ministry of Health (July 23, 1986). Review of Advisory Panel on Environmental Hypersensitivity’s recommendations.

Buck, K., Director, Policy and International Program, Canadian Human Rights Commission, letter to Brett Moore, Head Eco-Systems Protection, Parks Canada (June 26, 2003). Letter on environmental sensitivities, the duty to accommodate and chemical spraying.

Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, "Research house for the environmentally hypersensitive: description and technical details" (1994). Brochure describing prototype house to improve air quality for individuals with environmental sensitivities.

Citizens for a Safe Learning Environment, "Examples of North American Organizations That Recognize Multiple Chemical Sensitivities/Environmental Illness". Brief overview of some North American jurisdictions and organizations that have taken steps to recognize environmental sensitivities.

DeFreitas Saab, T., "Employees with Fragrance Sensitivity," Accommodation and Compliance Series, online: Job Accommodation Network. Overview of respiratory impairments in the context of the ADA and the duty to accommodate.

DeFreitas Saab, T., "Employees with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Environmental Illness," Accommodation and Compliance Series, online: Job Accommodation Network. Overview of MCS in the context of the ADA and the duty to accommodate.

DeFreitas Saab, T. "Employees with Respiratory Impairments," Accommodation and Compliance Series, online: Job Accommodation Network. Overview of respiratory impairments in the context of the ADA and the duty to accommodate.

Department of Justice, "Environmental sensitivities: finding solutions," Inter Pares (Summer/Fall 2003). Article from an internal publication describes the accommodation received by two Department of Justice employees with environmental sensitivities.

Fallace, M. & Lang, R., "Why Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Related Conditions Should Be Excluded from the Americans with Disabilities Act" (1997), 48 Lab. L.J. 66 (Appendix A, tab 21). Article on MCS as a disability and accommodation for it.

Guiffrida, D., Psychiatric Patient Advocate Office, letter to Howard Danson, Acting Director, Psychiatric Hospitals Branch, Ministry of Health (July 12 1989). Letter on effect of environmental toxins in hospital setting

Health and Welfare Canada, "Chronic Diseases in Canada, Supplement: Environmental Sensitivities Workshop" (May 24 1990). Contains 20 recommendations regarding environmental sensitivities.

Human Resources and Social Development Canada "" No. 905-1-IPG-031, Interpretations, Policies and Guidelines (IPGs) on Occupational Health and Safety, Part II of the Canada Labour Code

Kassirer, J. & Sandiford, K., "Socio-Economic Impacts of Environmental Illness in Canada," report to the Environmental Illness Society of Canada, November 15, 2000. Report detailing the social and e conomic costs of environmental illnesses in Canada to both individuals with sensitivities and to the public as a whole.

Lieberman, M.S. et al., "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: An Emerging Area of Law" (1995), Trial 31:22 (LegalTrac). Article discusses accommodating people with MCS in housing and employment.

Mahoney, W.J., OMA Liason, Special Education Advisory Council, Ministry of Education, letter to Peter Ferren, Special Education Advisory Council, Ministry of Education, Special Schools Branch (October 24, 1995). Letter discusses MCS in the educational environment.

McCampbell, A., "Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Under Siege," online: Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients’ Archives (January 2001), . Article focussing on New Mexico, mostly about the chemical industry and corporate lobbying regarding MCS.

McDonald, J., "This Place Makes Me Sick!", (2002) 28 Employee Rel. L.J. 101. Article on MCS as a disability.

McWilliams, K., "Peanut-Free Buffer Zones: Has the Department of Transportation Gone Nuts?" (1999), 65 J. Air L. & Com. 189. Article on discrimination in air travel.

ME/CFS Society, "MCS Basics Paper". Paper reviews international positions on and recognition of MCS and criticizes the Australian response.

Ministry of Labour, "Work Refusals Guidance Notes," Policy and Procedures Manual. Excerpt from policy manual regarding work refusals by workers who are particularly susceptible to health conditions.

National Institute of Building Sciences, "Report of the Indoor Environmental Quality Project to the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board," July 14, 2005. Report on improving access to buildings for people with MCS and EMS.

New Zealand Association of Hairdressers Inc., "Guide to Occupational Safety and Health for the Hairdressing Industry," February 1997. Guide developed as a result of injuries and health problems related to the work practices in the hairdressing industry that gives information about best practices on protection.

Norton, K., Chief Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission, Letter to Tony Clement, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care (April 16 2003): Letter on use of pesticides for West Nile virus prevention, implications for people with environmental sensitivity and the duty to accommodate.

Norton, K., Chief Commissioner, Ontario Human Rights Commission, letter to Pat Vanini, Executive Director, Association of Municipalities of Ontario (April 16, 2003). Letter on use of pesticides for West Nile virus prevention and implications for people with environmental sensitivity and the duty to accommodate.

Ontario Human Rights Commission, "Submission to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing on the Accessibility Provisions of the Ontario Building Code," March 1, 2002. Document notes the inadequacy of existing government standards on accessibility.

Ontario Medical Association Committee on Public Health, "Environmental Hypersensitivity Disorders," report to Council 1987. Position paper calling for the separation of medical and social issues around environmental hypersensitivity disorders.

Public Service Alliance of Canada, "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity at Work: Guide for PSAC Members" (April 1997). Guide outlines issues around MCS in the workplace, including information on symptoms and how a union can help.

Read, D., "Multiple Chemical Sensitivities" (report to the Environmental Risk Management Authority of New Zealand, June 2002), online: ERMANZ Reports, Reviews and Research. Report is an overview of scientific knowledge on MCS.

Reed Gibson, P., "Understanding & Accommodating People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Independent Living" (2002), online: Independent Living Research Utilization. Booklet reviews the employment, housing and social challenges faced by people with MCS, and makes suggestions for how independent living advocates can assist them.

Sears, M. et al., "Pesticide assessment: Protecting public health on the home turf" Paediatr. Child Health 2006; 11(4):229-234., online: Prevent Cancer Now. Article reviews the Canadian assessment standard for a common herbicide, and advocates for stronger legislation and increased use of alternate landscaping practices.

Sine, D. et al., "Accommodating Employees with Environmental Sensitivities: A Guide for the Workplace," online: Healthy Indoors Reports and Publications. Educational booklet aimed primarily at employers.

Staton, K.A. & Caswell, T.A., "The Americans with Disabilities Act As It Relates to Employment in the Aviation Industry: Navigating Through Uncontrolled Airspace," (1999) 64 J. Air L. & Com. 459. Discussion of MCS and appropriate accommodations.

Stutt, E. & Rotor, L., "Accommodating the Needs of Students with Environmental Sensitivities: A Report for School Boards, Parents and Educators," Allergy and Environmental Health Association of Canada (January 1996). Guide explaining environmental sensitivities in the educational context with information on accommodating students.

Wilson, C.W., "MCS Disorder and Environmental Illness as Handicaps," online: Global Recognition Campaign for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and Chemical Injury. Memo analysing whether MCS is a disability under the Fair Housing Act.

Winterbauer, S. "Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and the ADA: Taking a Clear Picture of a Blurry Object (Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990)," (1997) 23 Employee Rel. L.J. 64 (LegalTrac). Practical discussion on accommodating an employee with MCS.

Working Group of the WHO European Centre for Environment and Health, Bilthoven Division, "The Right to Healthy Indoor Air: Report on a WHO Meeting, Bilthoven, Netherlands, 15-17 May 2000," UN Doc. EUR/00/5020494, online: World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. Document reviewing the increasing incidence of health problems from unsafe indoor air.

Sample Policies

Allergy and Environmental Health Association, "No Scents, Please!", OC Transpo scent-free awareness sign. Sign to be posted inside OC Transpo buses were part of an information campaign.

Department of Justice Human Resources Planning and Policy Unit, "Policy on Accommodating Differences in the Workplace" (June 2001). This policy sets out the requirements and procedures for the accommodation of all employees and prospective employees who require accommodation on any ground protected by the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Employment Equity Act.

Department of Justice, "Environmental Sensitivities Guidelines," Newsletter, March 31, 2006. Guideline outlining the Department’s policies on indoor air quality as it relates to environmental sensitivities.

Fragrance Products Information Network, "Workplace Policies,". This document reviews the rationales for fragrance-free policies in the workplace and suggests how they may be implemented.

New York State Office of General Services, "Guidelines and Specifications for the Procurement and Use of Environmentally Sensitive Cleaning and Maintenance Products for All Public and Nonpublic Elementary and Secondary Schools in New York State," August 28, 2006. Guidelines developed to protect the health of children and employees by using products that minimize adverse health impacts.

New Zealand Association of Hairdressers, "Guide to Occupational Safety and Health for the Hairdressing Industry" (February 1997). This guide was developed to address injuries and health problems directly attributably to workplace practices in the industry. It gives information for employers and employees on safer work environments.

Office of Compliance, Student Policy and Judicial Affairs of Rutgers State University, , "Whether Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) is a disability protected under Section 504 and the ADA" (January 2002), online: Office of Compliance, Student Policy and Judicial Affairs. A policy advisory discussing the responsibility of the university to provide accommodations to individuals with MCS.

Office of General Counsel at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., Summary of Federal Laws, "Non-Discrimination with Respect to Students" (August 2005), online: The Office of General Counsel. A summary of accessibility guidelines for the university campus noting that federal regulation does not make provision for MCS or EMS.

Ottawa Hospital, , "Scent-free Workplace," Administrative Policy and Procedure Manual, (June 13, 2001). Document describes the hospital’s scent-free work environment.

Ontario Human Rights Commission, "About the Ontario Human Rights Commission,". This Commission document includes its request for voluntary compliance with a fragrance-free policy.

Penetanguishine General Hospital, "Fragrance Friendly Environment": Poster reminding people about patients with sensitivities to scents.

QEII Health Sciences Centre Administrative Policy and Procedure, "Smoking, Scents and Air Quality " (January 1997): Policy document explaining the requirement for a smoke and fragrance-free environment, including the consequences of violation.

Region of Peel, "Scent Sensitivity Program", Wellness at Peel, March 4, 2003: Fragrance-free policy of the Region of Peel

Regional Municipality of Halifax, "No Scents Makes Good Sense", Metro Transit scent-free policy poster: Poster requesting passengers to refrain from using scented products.

Health and Welfare Canada, Health Protection Branch, "Les Sensibilités d’Origine Environnementale," Actualités (December 23, 1991). This document provides a brief explanation of the symptoms, treatment and prevention of environmental sensitivities.

Websites of Relevant Organizations

Allergy and Environmental Health Association

American Academy of Environmental Medicine

American Industrial Hygiene Association

American Environmental Health Foundation

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America

Environmental Health Network

Canada Employment Immigration Union

Chemical Injury Information Network

Canadians for a Safe Learning Environment

Environmental Health Clearinghouse

Environmental Health Clinic