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. 2004 May;94(5):746-7.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.94.5.746.

Prevalence of multiple chemical sensitivities: a population-based study in the southeastern United States

Stanley M Caress  1 , Anne C Steinemann
Affiliations

Prevalence of multiple chemical sensitivities: a population-based study in the southeastern United States

Stanley M Caress et al. Am J Public Health. 2004 May.

Abstract

We examined the prevalence of multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS), a hypersensitivity to common chemical substances. We used a randomly selected sample of 1582 respondents from the Atlanta, Ga, standard metropolitan statistical area. We found that 12.6% of our sample reported the hypersensitivity and that, while the hypersensitivity is more common in women, it is experienced by both men and women of a variety of ages and educational levels. Our prevalence for MCS is similar to that (15.9%) found by the California Department of Health Services in California and suggests that the national prevalence may be similar.

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