General Information

Some of the Unique Requirements of a Chemically Injured Individual

A chemically injured / chemically sensitive person’s requirements are great. In a nutshell, they require as pure as possible environment in which to live, work, socialize, etc. Food, water and air must be as free as possible from chemical contamination. Whenever their sensitivity worsens, their very survival depends on these requirements being met. When a chemically sensitive person is very ill, they cannot tolerate even a trace of chemical contamination in their food, water, or air.

As a person reacts more and more to things like perfume and scented products, or household and industrial cleansers, they begin to increasingly avoid going to places where they will encounter products that will make them ill. Their life becomes more and more restricted and isolated. Employment, social activity, church or community involvement, shopping (even grocery shopping), banking, etc. becomes increasingly very difficult and sometimes impossible to accomplish.

As their sensitivity increases, their lifestyle must also change in order to reduce their symptoms. If they can no longer tolerate synthetics, they may require a whole different wardrobe. As they react to the chemicals in the furniture that they now possess, they may require a whole change of household furniture. I knew someone who couldn’t afford a new bed, but reacted to the bed that they owned. This person slept in an old fashioned cast-iron bathtub.

The greatest challenge for a severely chemically injured / chemically sensitive person is housing. Chemically injured individuals require a low-toxicity house. All materials used to build the house must be as inert as possible. This means no synthetic carpet, drywall, chipboard, particle board or plywood, etc. The usual housing building materials are typically taboo. Usually, by the time a doctor tells them they need a specialized low-toxicity house, they are already disabled. Therefore, their income is limited, and they often lack the financial resources to purchase a specialized house.

If they cannot tolerate the home they have and they cannot afford a specialized low-toxicity home, they may become homeless nomads, moving from one outdoor location to another. In order to survive, some will choose to battle the elements of nature, instead of the losing battle of indoor air pollution.

On top of all these changes, there is the huge impact on their relationships with family, relatives, friends, neighbours, co-workers, and others. Not only must a chemically injured person change the personal care products that they use; but everyone living in their home must also change their personal care products. This is also true for anyone having any kind of close association with the chemically injured individual.

For many chemically injured individuals, these lifestyle changes and possession changes are not of their own choosing. It is mandatory that they make these changes in order to survive and in order to increase their quality of life. Therefore, supporting them, helping them and accommodating them is viewed with deep appreciation. By doing so, you are demonstrating that you value their life.

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