An increasing number of chemical products may trigger a reaction, including some unrelated to the initial exposure. Most frequently, MCS affects an individual's overall physical and emotional health. It typically impairs the nervous system. It may affect the digestive and respiratory systems as well. A chemically sensitive person may also have other pre-existing health conditions.
Many affected people experience a number of symptoms with each chemical exposure.
Some people become chemically sensitive following a toxic chemical spill at work or in their community, or after exposure to pesticides. Or, individuals may develop this condition from spending time in a poorly ventilated building, where they breathe a combination of chemicals. MCS may be brought on by a wide array of chemicals found at home, at work, in hospitals, in parks, and at school. Other people with MCS cannot readily identify situations where they have been exposed to chemical products. People with MCS may become partially or totally disabled for several years or for life.