Teachers And Parents Take Note

In lieu of MCS Awareness Month, we’re going to be looking at how MCS affects specific professions and people. First, we’ll take a look at our future: students.

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Going to school is often hard enough (homework, bullies, sports, tests) without a medical problem that many people often don’t understand. Students of all ages can and do suffer from MCS, and their needs are often left unattended to in academic institutions.

Teachers and parents of MCS students must learn to understand that exposure to various chemicals and substances could potentially cause a severe allergic reaction. From particles in the air to liquid substances or simple contact with the skin, an MCS student might be in danger and suffering in each scholarly environment he’s placed in.

Because of this, MCS students tend to miss a great deal of school days from illness due to chemical exposures.

How can you keep your child/student at the desk instead of at home in bed?

As a teacher there are definitely measures you can take towards improving the academic career of your MCS student. First, you can speak to your principal and board of directors about an in-room air purifier suitable for the MCS student. Remember that carbon can be an irritant for MCS sufferers, so the student must undergo testing before the correct unit is chosen.

Art and science MCS students face entirely different challenges as they are faced with various chemicals and solvents (airborne and not) on a daily basis. Direct fume extraction air purifiers must be put in place to ensure proper ventilation if an MCS student is to attend laboratories and classes where chemical substances will be handled.

Sitting near an open window is just not good enough for an MCS student and more active measures must be taken to eleviate the suffering and allow the student to participate properly in classroom activities.

As a parent you have to be aware of your child’s physical needs and complaints. Has your child been complaining of a sore throat, trouble breathing, rash, hives, or other allergic-reaction type symptoms? If this is the first time your child is experiencing symptoms of MCS, consult your family doctor about how to proceed. Causes and solid diagnoses of MCS are not concrete as of yet because of the nature of the disease, and because it is so different from person to person, however, if your child is missing school for symptoms that could be MCS-related, it’s time to visit the doctor.

Installing an air purification system at home could also help your child perform better at school. While the academic institution also needs to follow through and proper air filtration, it is important to keep your air at home just as clean. Electrocorp offers industrial-grade systems with medical-grade HEPA and activated carbon to ensure your child is breathing the freshest air possible while he sleeps and studies at home.

MCS is a serious disease and should not be taken lightly. Home schooling is always an option for severe sufferers of MCS, however, the integration into a school system with their peers is part of the scholarly experience and should not be taken away from a student simply because he/she suffers from MCS.

This is a disease that can be controlled, and if the appropriate people educate themselves and make themselves aware of the situation (teachers, parents), then students suffering from MCS can be integrated into the educational system just like any other student.

Show Your Support: Wear Yellow This May

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President of MCS America, Lourdes Salvador, has announced that May is MCS Awareness Month. What is MCS? MCS is something approximately 48 million Americans suffer from and it stands for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. This disease can be debilitating. Sufferers are often bedridden and simply afraid or too ill to venture out into the world. And often, MCS sufferers can’t even stand to be in their own homes.

MCS knows no boundaries. It can affect anyone no matter what the race, gender or age. It can also effect each individual differently. While one sufferer may be extremely sensitive to perfume fragrances, another may not. Though, generally, any substance with a strong odor has an effect on an MCS sufferer. Many people think it’s just an over-reaction to everyday items. However, MCS sufferers are physically and mentally affected by the air and objects around them. It is all about hypersensitivity, but not in a hypochondriac kind of way; these people are legitimately affected by the chemicals around them (from perfume to floor cleaners and even food coloring). Often suffering from respiratory diseases, reduced blood flow to the brain, auto-immune disorders, cardiac and airway diseases, and depression caused by isolation, MCS is a disease that physically and mentally eats away at a person; and the world needs to be made aware of its impact.

So, what can you do to raise awareness this month if you do not suffer from MCS?

Plenty!

First off, spread awareness by wearing yellow. Shouldn’t be too hard; spring is in the air and the warm weather is upon us, so wearing yellow will only lighten the mood of you and everyone around you. Yellow is the chosen MCS color. You can also purchase MCS t-shirts and merchandise with the MCS America logo in support of the foundation. You can also raise awareness where MCS individuals suffer most; and that might even be in  your own office. Propose a week without perfume and cologne in the office. Ask that harsh chemical cleaners be replaced with organic, natural, odorless cleaners in your local clinic. Propose an all-natural, organic BBQ fundraiser for MCS. Use all-natural food ingredients free of food dies, colors and preservatives.

Awareness is the key. Many people are unaware that so many people suffer from MCS, and by spreading knowledge and awareness that’s half the battle.

So, what can you do to raise awareness this month if you suffer from MCS?

Just as much!

MCS is no joke; and if you suffer from this illness, then you know that firsthand. Often, those who suffer from MCS are prisoners in their own homes. Afraid to venture out into the world for fear of encountering a place, person or thing that will cause a severe reaction, bed-rest often turns into a permanent state. This is not healthy, in any way, shape or form. And how will an MCS sufferer spread the word of their disease and how to help them if they are trapped in their own bedroom?

The first step to clearing the air, so to speak, is a proper air filtration system in your home. If you have MCS you already know the significance of this step. MCS is all about the air we breath and all the particles, chemicals, toxins and nasty bits that are in it. However, even this can harm someone who suffers from MCS. The carbon in proper filtration units can have negative effects. So it is extremely important to take a carbon test before purchasing a unit so you know how much carbon you can handle.  

The best place to put a proper air filtration unit (with medical-grade HEPA and activated carbon) to start is in your bedroom. You want to breathe well when you sleep and rest — when your body is recovering and rebuilding. From there, you can purchase multiple units for different rooms in your home. Different locations call for different needs, and so it’s important to research the possible chemicals associated with every part of your home.

Specialized units from Electrocorp and AllerAir are made to deal with the unique needs of MCS sufferers. Units for varying degrees of MCS severity exist, so a chat with one of our indoor air quality experts is essential before you purchase a unit.

Avoidance is one answer for those who suffer from MCS, but it is not the answer.

There is no cure for MCS, but there is the possibility for awareness and control; and the month of May is the perfect time to do just that.