Book Review : Understanding Multiple Chemical Sensitivity , by Els Valkenburg

This is a very well-written book about the devastating environmental illness of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). The author, points out that nowadays, more and more people are affected by perfume, air fresheners, cigarette smoke, exhaust fumes and much more, and that due to lack of information, many people do not make the connection between their health problems, and exposures to chemicals in their daily lives, and when over the years, their symptoms of MCS have drastically increased, it may be too late and the situation may have become irreversible.

This book is well - researched, moving, extremely interesting and useful for anyone who wants to know about MCS.

The author, Els Valkenburg , who lives in the Netherlands, stricken herself by Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, writes about her painful struggle with MCS, the overall lack of acceptance of this disease, by family, friends, and society in general. Yet, she is an inspiration and provides tremendous amount of extremely useful information, with the goal of spreading awareness, acceptance, and better understanding of this environmental illness, which is the direct result of global chemical pollution. She operates an excellent resource Website at:


www.the-abc-of-mcs.com


This is a reference book that is an absolute necessity not only for MCS patients, but their relatives, friends, physicians, therapists, medical personnel, and the general public. The book is divided into seven parts, with the foreword written by Kim Schoppink of Greenpeace.

Part I of this book, covers many aspects of MCS such as scientific research, and provides extremely important and useful information for MCS patients. This part is for everyone who is interested in knowing about MCS.

Part II deals with the personal situation of the author which so many people with MCS can relate to, such as trying to adjust to live in isolation , facing the loss of family and friends who do not understand nor accept the illness, having to wear a mask, respirator, in public. By sharing her own story, the author truly hopes that it will lead to better understanding of the social problems faced by people suffering from MCS.

Part III of the book deals with stories told by other people, who became ill with MCS. It features the moving stories of owners of several International MCS organizations, of Dutch patients, and the commemorating stories of some patients who passed away.

Part IV of the book deals with the ABCs of MCS, and contains very useful information, advice, tips, phone number and other references.

Part V discusses documentaries, has several book reviews, movies, music and art coverage, and a section on spiritual nourishment.

Part VI , is extremely useful, as it contains all the scientific articles mentioned in Els Valkenburg´s book, as well as patients groups, MCS organizations, various companies selling MCS products, and other valuable and important websites.

Part VII provides an MCS brochure which contains the most essential introductory information about MCS. It can be copied or cut out, and used for the awareness of MCS and thus encourages people to show more understanding, compassion and respect towards people suffering from MCS.

In these times of global pollution, everyone should be aware and knowledgeable of the devastating environmental illness of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), so well covered in the book "Understanding Multiple Chemical Sensitivity," by Els Valkenburg.

The book : Understanding Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Causes, Effects, Personal Experiences and Resources, by Els Valkenburg,

ISBN : 978 - 0 -7864 – 4443 – 4

can be purchased from Mc.Farland & Company , Inc, Publishers:


www.mcfarlandpub.com


The order line is:

800-253-2187

This is an excellent book, which I highly recommend.

© 2009 Christiane Tourtet .