Dealing with diseases that have been attributed to chemical exposures

Abstract

The cause behind the so-called MCS or IEI (Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance) is a mental or psychogenic or psychosomatic disorder. Although the regulated threshold values in environmental media are aimed at virtually eliminating adverse health effects due to toxic substances, there are patients who attribute their illnesses to pollution. Only rarely is it possible to construct causality between the symptoms complained of and an exposure to toxicants. The communication is often disrupted. Only close cooperation between the family doctor and the doctors of environmental medicine can alleviate the suffering of these patients.