When are people most susceptible to chemicals?

When are people most susceptible to chemicals?

The factors that affect their susceptibility include their stage of development and level of activity in the environment. The fetus is the most susceptible because their developing organs may be permanently damaged. Similarly, children, especially from one to six years of age, are also in a stage of rapid development.

Which groups of humans are most susceptible to toxic substances and why?

However, certain scientific data indicate that children are more susceptible to toxic exposure than adults because they have proportionally more intake of food contaminants, active developmental processes, multiple exposure pathways and susceptible socio-behavioral activities.

What does chemical sensitivity mean?

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), also known as idiopathic environmental intolerances (IEI), is an unrecognized and controversial diagnosis characterized by chronic symptoms attributed to exposure to low levels of commonly used chemicals.

Who is most sensitive to toxicants?

A key policy breakthrough occurred nearly twenty years ago with the discovery that children are far more sensitive than adults to toxic chemicals in the environment.

Are some people more sensitive to chemicals?

Chemical sensitivity can also occur after a virus or other illness, or with hormonal disturbances, e.g. during or after pregnancy. Some people are genetically susceptible. People with allergic illnesses such as hay fever or asthma appear to be more likely to be sensitive to chemicals.

What is considered to be a sensitive population?

Some people cannot tolerate chemical exposure as well as others. We call these groups of people sensitive populations. They can include pregnant and nursing women, children, and older adults.

How common is multiple chemical sensitivity?

Close to 13% of adults in the US have been diagnosed with MCS, which may sometimes be called multiple environmental chemical sensitivities, polyallergy, or environmental illness. Nearly 26% of the population reports chemical sensitivity.

Is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity an autoimmune disease?

Meggs, W. J. “Development of a Clinical Research Protocol for the Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome.”. Randolph, T. G. 1962. Human Ecology and Susceptibility to the Chemical Environment.

Why are children vulnerable to environmental toxins?

Due to their size, physiology, and behavior, children are more vulnerable than adults to environmental hazards. Children under age 5 breathe more air, drink more water, and eat more food per unit of body weight than adults do, so they may experience higher rates of exposure to pathogens and pollutants.

Why are some people sensitive to chemicals?

People can become sensitive to chemicals after a major chemical exposure or after long-term, low-level exposure to chemicals, e.g. pesticides. Chemical sensitivity can also occur after a virus or other illness, or with hormonal disturbances, e.g. during or after pregnancy. Some people are genetically susceptible.

How common is chemical sensitivity?

Nearly 26% of the population reports chemical sensitivity. And when it comes to pain conditions, people with fibromyalgia syndrome (also known as chronic widespread pain syndrome) and chronic fatigue appear to be more likely to experience MCS.

Which population groups are at greatest risk?

Here are just 5 vulnerable populations who experience greater risk factors, worse access to care, and increased morbidity and mortality compared with the general population.

1. Chronically ill and disabled.
2. Low-income and/or homeless individuals.
3. Certain geographical communities.
4. LGBTQ+ population.
5. The very young and very old.

Are some people more sensitive to certain medications than others?

A. Yes. Some people are more sensitive to medications. In 1978, a pharmacologist who was part of a research team in London took a test dose of the blood pressure drug debrisoquine and promptly collapsed to the floor. He was subsequently found to be a poor metabolizer of the drug, which caused him to suffer a precipitous drop in blood pressure.

Why are some people more prone to drug side effects?

But differences in the way your body metabolizes drugs might render you prone to side effects. Some people metabolize drugs very slowly or very quickly, either of which can cause high levels of drugs or drug metabolites to accumulate in the blood.

Why are some people more prone to addiction?

Reading between the lines, it is possible that some people are more prone to addiction because they obtain less pleasure through natural routes, such as from work, friendships and romantic relationships. Dopamine abnormality might also be related to a lack of social inhibition found in some addicts.

What makes people more prone to asthma?

For example, he has identified a gene variant that makes people more prone to asthma — a condition in which the body attacks its own healthy airway cells — by driving high production of proteins that rev up the immune response.