Issue 1, October 2005 . MMCCAAFFII

MMaaggaa zziinnee

The only UK magazine for Multiple Chemical and Food Intolerance www.chemicalfree.co.uk

Allergy UK Pesticides and Health Denmark Says MCS Exists Turning off Allergic Reactions

Plus • News • Recipes • Celebrity Gossip • FREE Sorghum Flour

8 Page Special Report:

CCaann CClleeaanniinngg DDaammaaggee YYoouurr HHeeaalltthh??

MCAFI

Magazine Welcome to the first edition of the MCAFI Magazine!

Many people with MCS are unable to tolerate everyday newspapers and magazines so the MCAFI magazine aims to strike a balance between information and Providing information and entertainment. For those of you who find it difficult to access TV and support to anyone affected by radio, we’ve included a summary of the last 6 month’s news and multiple chemical sensitivity and celebrity gossip. food intolerance. A big thank-you to everyone who has contributed to this issue, and This magazine is also available on for all of your letters and emails keeping us up to date with news, paper printed with water based inks, research and products. (A selection of letters is printed on page 37.) audio CD and pdf file via email. For It is always great to hear from you, so let us know what you think of free information and support, or to this issue. subscribe to the MCAFI support group, visit our website: This month’s Special Report on soap and detergents was specifically requested by one of our members. The amount of toxic chemicals www.chemicalfree.co.ukHT TH that have crept into our homes never ceases to amaze me. Our report should go some way to helping you choose what you really Or write to: MCAFI, 29 Kipling Close, want to use, and of course there’s no harm in leaving certain articles Hitchin, Hertfordshire, lying around other people’s homes; a recent BBC programme No SG4 0DU Waste Like Home estimated 8 plug-in air fresheners cost almost £100 to run for just one year, so even if health is not a consideration, natural cleaning would certainly benefit their wallet! MCAFI and Chemical Free.co.uk are trade names of Chemical Free Ltd. Registered address: 29 Kipling And eight air fresheners? Well if my relatives are anything to go by, Close, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG4 0DU. Registered one in every room seems to be the norm. What ever happened to in England and Wales. Company No. 05455709 opening the windows?

Disclaimer and copyright: Enjoy this issue, and if you are able to contribute anything for the No part of this magazine may be April edition, we would be delighted to hear from you. reproduced without the prior written permission of the Editor. Advice is for Best wishes, information only and should not replace

medical care. Check with your GP before

trying any remedies. The opinions expressed in this magazine are not Nicki necessarily those of the MCAFI Support Group or Chemical Free Ltd., but of individual writers. Whilst every care is Nicki Greenham taken in the preparation of this magazine the Editor, authors, MCAFI or Chemical Free Ltd. cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the information herein or any consequence arising from it. We are Contact Us: not responsible for, and cannot guarantee the performance of goods and services provided by our advertisers or others Website: www.chemicalfree.co.uk whose names appear in the magazine. Email: [email protected] Acknowledgements Post: MCAFI, 29 Kipling Close, Hitchin, Herts. SG4 0DU Cover Photo: Ben Stephens-Brown Research Asst: John Scott We are happy to receive postcards or letters written in pencil, or messages Editing Asst: Chris Percival recorded on cassette or mini-disc. If you would like a reply please enclose a Graphics: Carl Greenham stamped-addressed envelope. Cartoons: Ben Stephens-Brown Nicki Greenham

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Cover Story: Live8 MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY Several years ago global leaders agreed eight goals which would News & Research halve world poverty by 2015. Pesticides MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY is about 7, 27 turning up the pressure on world Denmark Decides MCS Exists! 10 leaders to change world poverty Chronic fatigue Genes Identified by demanding trade justice, debt 17 cancellation and more and better Various 32 aid. Instead of raising money, Gulf War Syndrome Bob Geldof’s worldwide Live8 41 concert focussed on raising awareness about the G8 Summit Articles to be held a week later in Treating Chemical Sensitivity by Laura Percival Edinburgh. 3 Natural Living by Frances McDougall 5 Tickets were only available Treating Sensitivity by Margaret Moss through a mobile phone 11 competition with winners being Reducing Formaldehyde Exposure by John Scott 12 selected at random. When I heard Giveaway – Free Sorghum Flour about the concert, I immediately 15 knew I had to enter – 3 times Turning Off Allergic Reactions by Jane Thurnell Read 13 just to make sure! I was at work Freecycle – Free and Offgassed when the text arrived: I had 17 tickets! The 2nd of July came and Bird Flu – Should We Be Concerned? 29 my boyfriend, Ben and I left the Aquaballs by Laura Newson house at 11am to make sure we 35 got to Hyde Park for 2:00pm. As Allergy UK’s Chemical Sensitivity Helpline 46 we walked we were amazed at how many people were around; the queue went on for miles and Special Report: Can Cleaning Damage Your Health? 18 miles. We finally got to the gates Deciphering the Code 19 just as the opening act (Sir Paul McCartney and U2) started Cleaning the Natural Way 24 playing, it was a mad rush to find Labelling 25 a good spot. And then it started: music blaring and the crowd Testing, Testing: Soap 26 cheering, it was absolutely fab! The best thing was that as we Recipes: hardly knew who was going to be coming out onto the stage next, Sorghum Flour 14 which made it all really exciting. Chestnuts 42 One of the best moments came at the end of the night. The UK concert was supposed to finish at Regulars 9 but went on until 12. Sir Paul The Brain Fog Diaries 9 McCartney was the last act on, and just as the crowd started to In The News by Kevin Mutch 31 go, the opening bars of Hey Jude Have You Heard? Maria’s Celebrity Gossip 39 started to play. The crowd went mad, singing, hands in the air. Your Letters 37 Then all of the other artists came Ingredient Listings: Laundry Detergents 33 back on the stage and at that moment I knew I was part of Puzzle: Sudoku 6 history! Answers 38

The concert was a huge success in raising awareness but was it enough? The World Trade Organisation held talks in December 2004, the G8 met in Edinburgh on 6-8 July and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals Summit took place in September. So far they’ve agreed to increase the aid they give to poor countries, cancel the debts of some of the poorest countries in the world, and make sure that by 2010, everyone who needs treatment for HIV/AIDS will be able to get it. It’s a strange feeling knowing that all it takes for poverty to end is for 8 men to agree on giving more aid, and drop the dept of African countries. It makes me angry that something so simple has taken so many years to even be considered. By Maria Greenham

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CChheemmiiccaall SSeennssiittiivviittyy

Laura Percival reports on a seminar given by Dr Damian Downing, President of the British Society for Ecological Medicine

At a time when allergic conditions are Claudia Miller, of The University of Texas Health Science becoming more and more prevalent in the UK, Center, called TILT (Toxicant Induced Loss of with one third of the population now affected Tolerance). She looked at the link between MCS and in one way or another, June 2005 saw the addiction, likening the cravings and withdrawal symptoms experienced by drug addicts to those return of the Allergy Show to London’s experienced by MCS patients. She found that chemically Olympia. Now in its second year, the three- sensitive patients often found they craved the day show attracted over 6000 visitors, substances they were most sensitive to and, after offering access to information, support exposure, suffered severe withdrawal effects over a networks, treatments and products intended period of hours or days. to make life easier for people with allergies and intolerances. If you were able to attend, Symptoms you may have seen some of our team in their ‘Chemical Free’ t-shirts. As well as over 100 Dr Downing went on to describe some of the many and wide ranging exhibitors, including Allergy UK, wide-ranging symptoms that could be experienced by Action Against Allergy, Green People, The MCS patients. These included, amongst others, bloating, cold extremities, sweating, headache, fatigue, nausea, Healthy House and many more, the show visual disturbances, fainting, anxiety, lethargy, tinnitus featured 45 different seminars with experts and all kinds of gastrointestinal problems. He explained speaking on many aspects of allergies and that symptoms could vary widely even within the same intolerances. On the first day of the show, Dr patient, depending on the substance they had been Damian Downing, president of the British exposed to. Quoting George Cheyne, who first described Society for Ecological Medicine (formerly the condition in 1733, Dr Downing explained that in BSAENM), presented a seminar on ‘Chemical people with MCS “The symptoms are many, various, Sensitivity’. The lecture was intended to give changeable, shifting from one place to another, and an overview of the condition and some of the imitating the symptoms of almost every other distemper described.” treatment options that are available.

Causes MCS – the problems of classification Causes

So why do some people become sensitive to chemicals? Dr Downing began by explaining the difficulties faced in Downing explained that there are definite overlaps classifying MCS as a condition. He said there tends to be between MCS and other conditions, notably CFS (chronic so many variations in the way in which patients react to fatigue syndrome); FMS (fibromyalgia syndrome); GWS different substances, and to the same substances from (Gulf War syndrome) and PTSD (post-traumatic stress person to person, that it is difficult to set out clear disorder). He said that people who are diagnosed with criteria for a diagnosis. Chemically sensitive patients these conditions often find they are also sensitive to don’t tend to fit into the ‘classic’ allergy model; their chemicals. Also, a family history of MCS or any of the condition involves many different mechanisms within the above conditions tends to make a person more body being affected by multiple and various triggers susceptible. within the environment. He described the way in which

our modern way of life has contributed to the rise in As well as genetic predispositions, Downing mentioned chemically sensitive patients; mentioning pesticides, that a lifetime of chronic infections such as yeasts or plastics, exhaust fumes, perfumes, silicone implants and viruses, or certain stressful childhood experiences might mercury filings amongst a long list of unpleasant factor in the chances of a person having MCS in substances found in our everyday environment that can adulthood. He explained that people who were trigger symptoms of the condition. hypervigilant as a child i.e. anxious and worried that

something bad would happen and therefore constantly Looking further into the problems of classification, on guard for threats, might be more likely to develop a Downing recounted a model developed in the late 90s by

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P P condition affecting their nervous system, such as MCS. Dr Downing referred to living with MCS as a ‘game of If a child lacks a sense of control and becomes insecure, percentages’; no one thing is likely to cure every this can lead to hypervigilance; where their brain is problem, but if something improves your condition a bit, constantly on alert. This leads to chronic raised cortisol continue doing it. If you can find lots of things that levels and over time, immune disruption, which is when slightly improve your symptoms, do them all and they problems such as MCS tend to arise. He said this was should have a cumulative effect, making you feel often seen in children with severe allergy problems, considerably better overall. He explained that also, in children who had been a subject of abuse of one desensitisation could be a long and expensive process, sort or another; any experience that caused chronic but that compromise is key; finding a balance between stress and a sense of being constantly under threat. managing your condition and living a lifestyle that you can be happy with. . Treatments Next year’s Allergy Show will take place at Moving on to look at the problems faced in trying to Earl’s court Olympia in London on June 16- treat MCS, Dr Downing reminded the audience that recovery could be an extremely complex process. MCS is 18 2006. not as simple as toxicity or classic allergy as it involves all aspects of a person’s system. He said when For more details see the website embarking on a treatment programme, it is important www.allergyshow.co.ukHTU UTH that a patient takes an holistic approach; dealing with all Or phone the ticket hotline: possible aspects of their life, as there are many things 0870 272 0020 that could help on the road to recovery.

Childhood Asthma May Be

Avoidance - people with MCS should try to cut as Triggered By Food Intolerance many chemicals out of their life as they can, aiming for clean air, organic food and pure water, and The presence of a food sensitisation may increase minimising exposure to plastics, fumes and so on. asthma in children, according to a study in the May Mercury fillings should also be removed, as mercury 2005 Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology is directly toxic to a person’s immune system. Of (JACI). course, it would be practically impossible to avoid all

problem substances, but compromise is the key, and cutting them out where possible could really help Julie Wang, MD, from Mount Sinai Hospital New take the load off the system. York, and colleagues, evaluated blood serum samples from 504 children with asthma, ages 4-9 Detox - removing chemicals from the system by years old, randomly selected from the National methods such as saunas: chemicals are stored in the Cooperative Inner City Asthma Study (NCICAS). fat so sweating is the best way of getting rid of They sought to determine the prevalence rate of them. Infra-red saunas tend to be the most effective food allergen sensitisation among inner city as they penetrate deep into the tissues, failing that, children with asthma. low temperature regular saunas can really help. He mentioned one patient who had a sauna every day The children were tested for specific IgE antibodies for a month and, over four separate sessions, lost 80% of the chemicals in his body; his symptoms also to six common food allergens. Researchers found reduced by the same amount. that the incidence of food sensitisation, and likely food allergy, is highly prevalent in inner city Nutrition - having the correct nutritional balance children with asthma. They concluded that the provides a person with important protection inside presence of food sensitisation may serve as a their body. Blood tests could be run to determine marker for identifying children with more severe what a patient is lacking and then a nutritional asthma. They recommended that caretakers programme can be set up to provide any vitamins, should consider screening patients with moderate minerals, antioxidants, lipids, oils and essential fatty to severe asthma whose disease is not well acids that they need. controlled with standard asthma medications.

Relaxation - Downing mentioned that ‘autonomic regulation’ could play a large part in the recovery While previous studies have shown a link between process. This he explained as the process of asthma and food allergy, the current JACI study is correcting hypervigilance by methods such as one of the first to demonstrate a correlation breathing retraining to regulate the heartbeat and between food sensitisation and the severity of calm the system. Relaxation methods such as asthma symptoms. meditation could also achieve similar effects. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology

(AAAAI), May 2005, www.aaaai.orgHTU UTH

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Natural Living

“If L’Oreal were announcing the launch of a miraculous wrinkle-obliterating, skin-firming, all- singing, all-dancing new body cream, I would be among the first to the shops to test it out.” Natural Living by Frances McDougall

I was notorious for it: my dressing table completely covered with bottles and tubes of lotions and potions of all descriptions, from all the biggest brands. Seduced by misleading advertising, I would unquestioningly smear the substances all over my body, gullibly believing this expensive activity was actually benefiting me in some way. That was two years ago, before I met my boyfriend and now father of my son. I clearly remember one day as I went about my daily ritual of chemical-infused product application, he asked sceptically: “Do you actually know what’s in these things? If you knew the sources from which most of the ingredients are derived, I’m pretty confident in guessing that you wouldn’t continue coating your skin with the stuff.” I scoffed at this comment at the time (What? They wouldn’t be allowed to sell them if they were dangerous), but despite my initial stubbornness, I did start to wonder…

A short while later, he arrived home with a gift of two tall, dark blue glass bottles from Neal’s Yard Remedies. They ticked all my usual boxes: attractive, slick design, well-known brand, not exactly at the budget end of the price scale: he had me interested. In one bottle was a lovely almond oil scented with rose essential oil, and in the other, plain almond oil. I began using the plain oil in the place of my usual body and face creams – it was wonderful! No artificial, chemically scents, petrochemical ingredients or plastic packaging – just a perfectly natural substance that moisturises dry skin as well as (and better than) any product I have ever bought from the High Street. I even received compliments about my complexion Photo: Roy Shakespeare Frances with her son Oliver. P P

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looking healthier than usual for, contrary to what I had thought before about putting neat oil on the skin, my spots actually improved considerably since switching from regular face cream. The rose oil made a great natural alternative to perfume, which often used to give me headaches.

“But everyone uses them. They wouldn’t be allowed to sell them if they were dangerous…”

From here on in, I was hooked. A little research on the internet provided more than enough evidence to persuade me to stop using as many commercially popular products as possible. The wealth of information I discovered also showed me just how blind I had been to the true nature of these products. So far away from the glamorous models and squeaky clean, healthy lifestyles that are portrayed through the advertising and packaging from these massive companies. I felt positively cheated – embarrassed, really – that I had allowed myself to go on lining their pockets, whilst receiving something entirely different from the wholesome and safe product I thought I was buying. These Japanese number puzzles took

My old shampoo became a solid, SLS-free herbal English newspapers by storm in May. No shampoo bar whose ingredients are 100% natural and adding involved! chemical-free (unlike the usual ‘natural’ products that on closer inspection reveal a whole host of chemical nasties in the ingredients list). Instead of laundry powder, I began using Aqua Balls, which are highly effective, even on my young son’s washable nappies. SSuuddookkuu The disposable feminine hygiene products (that I had for so long used without so much as a thought for the The rules are simple: detrimental environmental and health implications), were replaced by the excellent Mooncup. Standard Just fill each grid with the numbers 1 to 9. deodorant became Pit-Rok, an extremely efficient, Make sure each row, column and 3x3 aluminium-free crystal block that lasts, at a guess, 10 times longer than a traditional roll-on. Even liquid soaps square contains each number only once. and shower gels were ditched in favour of natural olive Answers on page 38! oil soap and wash clay (which is great fun once you get used to it – especially for little ones). The list goes on.

So for anyone who wants to:

a) live a healthier, less chemical-soaked lifestyle b) feel satisfied that they are doing their bit to help our environment (and so easily!) c) save a hell of a lot of money

Don’t think twice about trying out a more natural approach to cosmetics, toiletries and life in general.

Is natural more expensive?

A one litre bottle of organic, scentless sunflower oil, which makes a great all-round moisturiser, costs no more than £1.50 and lasts about a year. A tub of the type of body cream I used to use typically cost £6 and lasted no more than two months.

You do the maths!

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CCRROOPP SSPPRRAAYYIINNGG AANNDD HHEEAALLTTHH::

Royal Commission Launches Special Report

In a special report, the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution recommended changes to provisions for safeguarding the health of those living near to sprayed fields and to the regulation of pesticides, both to reduce any risk to residents and bystanders and to improve their access to relevant information about spraying.

Sir Tom Blundell, the RCEP chairman at the time the report was commissioned, said: “Government policy on exposure of bystanders and local residents is currently inadequate. Although pesticides are heavily regulated by government, there is significant uncertainty in the science available about whether pesticide spraying can cause ill health and whether some members of the public are being exposed to high enough doses of pesticides from normal use in farming to make them ill. Until research clarifies the extent to which the public is at risk from crop spraying, we recommend that extra precautionary measures are The Commission has found at the least that such a link taken by government. Measures such as five metre no- cannot be summarily dismissed without new evidence. spray zones between fields and homes will deliver a significant improvement in the risk management by “We therefore recommend that a more precautionary government. approach is taken, so as to safeguard the safety of the public. The existing lack of knowledge and uncertainties indicate an urgent need for research to be undertaken to “No-one can dispute that those individuals who have investigate whether there really is a problem, how many reported ill health, which they claim is due to pesticides people are affected if there is, and which pesticides may being sprayed, are genuinely ill. Based on our personal be causing any ill health. examination of some of these cases, and on our current

understanding of the effects that pesticides can have on “We have identified a number of areas where more the body system, it is not implausible that there may be information is needed that should lead to improved a link between pesticide spraying and chronic ill health. protection of human health, including which symptoms

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P P might be caused by pesticides and whether pesticides The Royal Commission on Environmental are able to drift away from the field into people's Pollution calls for: property. The many tests that are currently undertaken before pesticides are approved by regulators for use by farmers should be expanded to try to address the • A better system of advice within the NHS chronic symptoms that the public are describing to us. for members of the public who believe that There needs to be improved investigation of reported ill their ill health is a result of pesticide health by regulators, combined with better observation spraying, as well as improved methods of of the ill health the public are reporting. reporting these cases to the regulator; • More research to reduce the uncertainties “We also have concerns about the way that exposure is related to the effects of pesticides on the assessed. Although the current process used by regulators is cautious and there are wide safety factors health of those living near to sprayed fields; built in to it, the way this assessment works is by • Development of an improved model of considering a simple situation and looking at exposure exposure of residents and bystanders to from breathing and through the skin, which the pesticides; assessment assumes to be the main routes into the • Information about what pesticides are being body in all cases. More sophisticated and modern models used to be more freely available to all who are urgently needed to allow the regulators to assess ask for it; the likelihood that unusual but serious situations could • Improvement of the approval process for arise and to manage exposure risks accordingly. pesticides and strengthening of the

“We feel that the protection of the health of the British scientific advice available to government; public needs to be strengthened. Precautionary • Tightening and better enforcement of the measures need to be taken, such as no-spray zones rules governing the use of pesticides on between fields and neighbours. It is clear that there is a farms; demand from the public for better access to information • Introduction of precautionary measures to about the chemicals being used. We recommend that give further protection to the public. the code of practice used by farmers is strengthened so that residents living next to fields that are to be sprayed Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, 11 September should be given prior notification of spraying activity. 2005, www.rcep.org.ukHTU UTH Records of which pesticides, and when and where they have been used, should be directly available to residents ‘Crop Spraying and the Health of Residents and Bystanders’ is and bystanders from the persons responsible for crop available in printed form, or can be downloaded from the spraying. Better Commission's website from 22 September 2005. Copies of the controls should be imposed upon training and the printed version are obtainable without charge from Mary Oduro: accessibility of sprays”. Tel: 020 7799 8972, fax: 020 7799 8971 Email: [email protected]

OrganicT Diets Significantly Lower Children's Dietary Exposure to Organophosphorus Pesticides

A recent study measured dietary organophosphorus pesticide exposure in a group of 23 elementary school-age children through urinary biomonitoring. The children’s conventional diets were substituted with organic food items for 5 consecutive days, and urine samples were collected twice a day throughout the 15-day study period. The study was able to demonstrate that an organic diet provides a dramatic and immediate protective effect against exposures to organophosphorus pesticides that are commonly used in agricultural production. The researchers concluded that these children were most likely exposed to these organophosphorus pesticides exclusively through their diet which provides new and persuasive evidence of the effectiveness of this intervention.

ChenshengT Lu et al. EnvironmentalT Health Perspectives,1 September 2005 Available at http://dx.doi.org/

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TThhee BBrraaiinn FFoogg DDiiaarriieess

Tuesday - Beautiful, hot, mould-free sunshine; feeling good Waited in the lounge until the pollen hour passed, planning my campaign to get the sun-lounger out of the shed, avoiding the petrol lawnmower. Decided I might just opt for a towel on the grass. Mental vision of relaxing in new, organic hemp shorts listening to Harry Potter tape for most of the afternoon. Glanced out of the window just in time to see one of my neighbours walking down the road dressed in full scuba diving gear – 2 tanks strapped to his back. Spent 10 minutes trying to work out why someone would want to wear oxygen cylinders on a housing estate. Wondered whether I had just witnessed an extreme MCS sufferer or even new solution to my social life – could I get into a nightclub wearing oxygen tanks and scuba mask? Given my physical strength, decided this was unlikely unless I took a crash course in weightlifting. Looked up again just in time to see the man returning down the road. Realised it wasn’t my neighbour after all… and there was no face mask. Horror dawned as I noticed he was spraying the edge of the road with what could only be herbicides. Athletically sprang into Code Red, closing all windows and doors in a new record time of 3.5 mins. Relaxing afternoon plans foiled again. Will continue experimenting with indoor sun tan through double glazing….

Wednesday - Overcast, drizzly rain; severe brain fog

Missed TV weather forecast last night. Assumed fine weather would continue and left bedroom windows open. Rained all night. Realised mould levels must be high as couldn’t wake up and kept falling back asleep. Couldn’t get out of bed until 11am, by which time blood sugar levels had reached an all time low and the rest of the day was relegated to zombie status. Remembered the days when being in bed until 11am meant I’d had a good night out the evening before. Actually can’t remember anything about yesterday at all. In fact finding it difficult to remember anything about today… keep nodding off. Decide to seal myself in the lounge with air purifiers on full blast, just have a little nap on the sofa first….

Thursday - Dense, dense fog…. Have developed a new Sudoku puzzle for the severely brain-fogged: Place the numbers 1 – 9 in the box:

Bonus points if you get them in numerical order.

Friday - Bright sunshine: welcome back to humanity Success – Maximum points for organisational skills. Asked Organic Delivery Man to kindly get sun-lounger out of petrol-fumed shed, meaning I still had enough energy to put the washing in the machine AND put the food away. Rewarded myself with an hour relaxing in the garden. Lay back smugly, all set for an energy-restoring afternoon. Suddenly glanced over at the house to see bubbles oozing their way out of the outside drainpipe. Watched fascinated as the foam started to rise, before realising it could be something to do with the washing machine. Peered in through the kitchen window to see a scene resembling Narnia midwinter: foam oozing from all parts of the washing machine. All evidence points to muddling up the laundry liquid with washing up liquid. Mentally blame manufacturers for unclear labelling. Foam developed mysterious solid properties, so spent afternoon carrying bowlfuls of the stuff out into the bin. Collapsed on sunlounger just in time for Boyfriend to return home and enquire about relaxing day…

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Denmark Decides MCS Exists!

In March this year, The Danish Environmental Protection Agency published a report to evaluate the evidence for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity based on a study of scientific literature, meetings, workshops and reviews. While the study focussed mainly on studies from America, the practices of environmental administrations in European countries were also registered.

“MCS differs from the common scientific understanding inflammatory and neurosensory dysfunction, on neural of illness because the condition is always manifested by sensitisation of the midbrain limbic system and on multiple non-specific symptoms from different organs at psychological mechanisms seems more convincing than the same time and because these symptoms may occur the other proposed mechanisms, such as immunological, after exposure to chemicals at very low concentrations. toxic loss of tolerance, somatization and conditioned Prevalence studies from the US show figures between response… At this stage it seems most likely that MCS 0.2-6% in the general population. There are no occurs more often in persons who are more sensitive to prevalence figures for general populations in Europe. In environmental stressors than others. Preventive action a study of Swedish housepainters 30% had MCS.” for MCS could contribute to a better protection of all those exposed to chemicals, especially the most Because it is not specifically a scientific report, the study vulnerable groups. Recognition of the illness MCS would provides a highly readable summary of current European lead to a better understanding of MCS patients and their thinking about the illness which is called odour and needs.” chemical hypersensitivity in Denmark. The full report can be downloaded free from the link at the end of this The report concludes that MCS is a real condition: article. “There is clear evidence from the epidemiological literature that MCS exists, even though the exact The report comments: “So far there is no final proof of mechanism is not known and there are no demonstrable the causal mechanism of MCS. Some evidence on nasal organic or functional changes.”

The study is to be a starting point and basis of Pollution Increases Allergic Disease evaluation for the Danish EPA in its future management in relation to MCS. As a result, The Danish Board of Russian research focussing on children living in an oil- Health has decided to start a science centre for MCS in extracting region of the Republic of Udmurtia found a January 2006, with initial funding for 3 years. The centre connection between the concentration of noxious substances in the air and the prevalence of allergic diseases in children. will be under the branch of allergy with an They concluded that heightened atmospheric pollution interdisciplinary approach between neurology, increased the incidence of allergic disease. The findings psychiatry, work, environment and allergy specialists. serve as the basis for developing measurements to lower

environmental pollution and reduce the incidence of allergic Danish Environmental Protection Agency:T Environmental

diseases in children. Project no. 988, 2005 MultipleT Chemical Sensitivity, MCS

TheT full report is available online free of charge at: Allergic diseases and immunological resistance in children from a http://www.mst.dk/homepage/default.asp?Sub=http://www.mTHU petroleum area DautovHTU FF,UTH IurkHTU SA,UTH KhakimovaHTU RF.UTH st.dk/udgiv/publications/2005/87-7614-548- Gig Sanit. 2005 Jul-Aug;(4):51-3.

4/html/default_eng.htmUTH

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Treating Sensitivity

Margaret Moss is a nutrition consultant with a wealth of experience in treating patients with chemical and food sensitivity at her Cheshire clinic. Here Margaret explains some of her research and thinking behind current treatment strategies.

If you tell your friends or your made from a part of protein, called 21% had skin that split, 42% had doctor that you have multiple cysteine, we found the ratio of used cod or halibut liver oil, 53% chemical sensitivity, you may cysteine to sulphate, and had migraine, 37% knew that they receive a look of disbelief. If you multiplied by 1000, to eliminate could not tolerate multivitamins, say that you react to very small the decimal points. This ratio 58% had realised they could not amounts of chemicals as other should be about tolerate certain foods people would to large amounts, a hundred. In It is important to have a high in carotene, like people are more likely to fact, for my balance… Supplementing mangoes, carrots or understand. After all, an depressive too much of one nutrient kale, and 47% had anaesthetist knows that some clients, the can cause a deficiency in irritable bowel people need less anaesthetic than average ratio another. syndrome. Vitamin A others. was 1798, for toxicity is a diagnosis

Dealing With Toxins people with migraine, it was 1922, missed most of the time. Excessive for people with irritable bowel vitamin A damages the Why do some people react to a syndrome it was 1589, in ME it membranes of liver cells, but not very small amount of a toxin, as was 1257, in arthritis or usually to the extent that it shows though it were a large amount? fibromyalgia, it was 1177, and of up in an ordinary liver function

This is because human beings course, sensitive people often have test. evolved with detoxification a variety of these problems. These Lectin Intolerance processes that were designed for a ratios are grossly abnormal. It can world without synthetic chemicals. be a relief if all the doctors’ tests Many of my clients are intolerant We were designed to cope with were normal, to come up with such of lectins. These are chemicals toxins in foods, but not to deal an abnormal result. It does show concentrated in the skins of seeds. with traffic fumes, cigarette that there is really something Many people ache, or have a smoke, disinfectant, fresh paint, wrong. migraine or diarrhoea, when they colourings, flavourings, eat wholemeal bread, bran, or Suitable Supplements sweeteners, whole beans. Yet they may be able preservatives, The ratio of cysteine to Clearly it is important to to tolerate refined grains and split chlorinated sulphate should be give sensitive people these lentils without skins. It is a pity water, about 100. In clients nutrients. It also often that refined grains have less fluoridated nutrients in them than whole with food and chemical helps to bath in Epsom toothpaste or salts, as these are grains, but if you do not tolerate pesticides. sensitivity, it was 1060. magnesium sulphate, the whole seed, you do need to Some people which passes through the avoid it. are lucky skin. It may be necessary to make Repairing The Gut enough to have plenty of sure that the bath water is filtered. detoxification capacity, but it is not I have a shower over the bath, Often sensitive people have gut surprising that some of us cannot with a filter attached, and I fill the walls that are too leaky. It helps to deal with the modern environment. bath from the shower. It is also use butter, coconut, mushrooms, fish and parsley, which deal with How the Body Copes important to make sure that the enzymes that use sulphate work as this leakiness in different ways.

There are various processes for well as they can. Radish, orange Epsom dealing with harmful chemicals. My and spinach slow these enzymes salt Vitamin A toxicity colleague and I carried out down, which is not a good idea. baths is a diagnosis

research into how 81 of my are also missed most of the sensitive clients add sulphate to Vitamin A importa time. such chemicals, to make them We also looked at nineteen of my nt for safe. First of all, we have to make very sensitive clients, who have the gut sulphate, a process that involves very low tolerance of vitamin A wall. Taking antibiotics can lead to the mineral molybdenum, vitamins and carotene. When they first a growth of the wrong micro- B2 and 5 and omega three fats came to me, 79% of them had a organisms in the gut. It helps to from fish or flax. As sulphate is feeling of pressure in the head,

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Understanding Margaret or find out more about Individual Assessment I used to be so sensitive that many her research, you can visit her These are only a few of the many ordinary situations at work or website: aspects of chemical sensitivity. HTU UTH socially were impossible for me. I www.nutritionandallergyclinic.co.uk Every client needs an individual continue to learn about myself, but assessment, to discover why there life is vastly better for me, now I Or contact her directly at the is a problem, and decide what to understand some of these clinic: do about it. Nutrients work as a mechanisms. Margaret Moss, team, and it is important to have a 11 Mauldeth Close, Heaton Mersey, balance of them. Supplementing Margaret Moss, Nutrition Stockport, Cheshire. SK4 3NP too much of one nutrient can Consultant cause a deficiency in another, if MA(Cantab) UCTD(Manchester) DipION Tel/fax: (0161) 432 0964 CBiol MIBiol.

REDUCING FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE

Shellac can be a great way of sealing surfaces that outgas formaldehyde. John Scott examines the options.

Furniture made from MDF (Medium some who are chemically sensitive. finishes. I have used it successfully Density Fibreboard), or chipboard, However, pure shellac flakes can on many items of furniture and and other items which give off be obtained from any good even a particularly nasty-smelling formaldehyde can be sealed to woodworking supplier. The flakes new guitar amplifier which was prevent the gas escaping. Hidden can be dissolved in any form of constructed of MDF and covered in MDF components, such as drawer alcohol, such as meths, surgical black vinyl. bottoms, can be sealed with an spirit, or smell-free pure ethanol, MDF Passivating Primer which which I have managed to persuade I removed the amp's electronics neutralises VOCs (Volatile Organic my GP to prescribe for this and speakers and gave the whole Compounds) as well as purpose, in one litre bottles.... cabinet two coats of shellac, which formaldehyde. This is available (in after I promised not to drink it! completely stopped the off- white) from The Healthy House: gassing. I used Garnet flakes on www.healthy-house.co.uk Shellac, whether in the form of this occasion, which produce a Tel. 01453 752216. (If you are Garnet flakes which are brown, or translucent film with an amber sensitive to plastics, ask for a Button flakes which are yellow, are tinge (Button flakes give a lighter, tester first as some products dissolved in spirit at approximately slightly yellow, almost transparent contain acrylic – Ed.) 250 grams of flakes to 1 litre of finish) and I was a bit worried spirit. The resulting solution, which about what it might do to the Most other surfaces can be sealed will remain usable for a appearance of the vinyl, but the using shellac, a natural sealer considerable time if kept in an amp actually looked better after made from a substance exuded by airtight bottle, can be applied by shellacking and has continued to the female lac insect, (hence 'she- brush, which should be cleaned in look great ever since - better, in lac'). This has long been the neat spirit, after use. fact, than other amps of preferred finish for violins and comparable age. other stringed instruments. Shellac is, in fact, edible. It has Unfortunately, commercially even been used to coat tablets and Shellac flakes can be obtained manufactured forms of shellac I have not heard of anyone from M D Finney: (often called French Polish or reacting adversely to it. As a www.mdfinney.co.uk 'knotting') usually contain finish, it will adhere to almost Click 'Shop On Line', then additional chemicals and are anything, including surfaces 'French Polishes' or call 0114 dissolved in methelated spirit, previously treated with silicone, 258 8399 for advice. which may present a problem for which usually resists other 12 www.chemicalfree.co.uk P P

Turning Off An Allergic Reaction

By Jane Thurnell-Read

Wouldn’t it be good to have a safe, non-drug technique that you could use to minimise allergic reactions? Well, there is one. It was devised by Dr Jimmy Scott, the originator of health Kinesiology, a complementary therapy. It’s a simple way to turn off an allergic reaction by tapping acupuncture points. The sooner you start doing this after experiencing symptoms, the more effectively it works. One of the good things about this procedure is that it doesn’t matter if you don’t know what the offending substance is.

As soon as you start to feel an allergic reaction, even if I started to have an allergic reaction to it – coughing. I you don’t know what it is causing the problem, tap each knew my sons would die of embarrassment if I got up of these points for about 20 to 30 seconds: and had to push past everyone in the row, but I equally

1. Tap beside the nose at the inner corner of each eye knew that they would also die of embarrassment if I 2. Tap on the eye socket bone just below the centre of stayed there and kept on coughing. I started to panic, the eye and then I remembered the tapping technique, and 3. Tap either side of the breast bone just below the decided to have a go even though the circumstances collar bones were less than ideal. I started tapping surreptitiously - 4. Tap the sides of the torso, straight down from the my children would have died of embarrassment even armpit and level with the nipple more if people had noticed their mother tapping her face 5. Tap near the lateral corner of the little toe nail at the furiously! Within a few seconds my symptoms started to base of the nail (on the outside of the feet) abate. I was surprised at how effective it was in this far 6. Tap the centre of the balls of the feet from ideal situation, when I couldn’t do my normal 7. Tap near the lateral corner of the second toe nail vigorous and determined tapping. (the second toe nail is the one next to the big toe, tap on the side furthest away from the big toe) This will not fix your allergies, but it will relieve the 8. Tap near the medial corner of the big toe nail (that’s symptoms caused by the current exposure. To deal with the side nearest the other foot) the underlying process I suggest you contact a health kinesiologist. I’ll be explaining more about what’s You can tap in any order, and you can tap as many involved in that form of treatment in the next issue, but points as you wish at the same time. Other people can if you would like more information now, phone 08707 help you tap too. The sooner you start the tapping the 655980 or visit: www.hk4health.co.uk. fewer symptoms you will get. Have a few practices before you really need to use it. If you’re in a public Jane Thurnell-Read is a writer and researcher on health, place it may be difficult to tap your feet, so just allergies, stress, complementary therapies and happiness. concentrate on tapping the first four lots on the upper She has written three books for the general public: Health part of the body, and this will often still work. Kinesiology: The Muscle Testing System That Talks To The Body (ISBN 09542443900), Allergy A to Z (ISBN On one memorable occasion I only tapped the first four 0954243927) and Geopathic Stress: How Earth Energies lots of points and still had an amazing positive response. Affect Our Lives (due back in print later this year). Her web site www.healthandgoodness.com offers lots of self-help tips I had gone to watch a theatre company performing at and information for everyone who wants to live a happier, my sons’ school. The theatre company used some healthier life. coloured smoke, and even though I was sitting well back

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Everything you wanted to know about SORGHUM FLOUR

Grain sorghum is a crop grown in arid, subtropical regions; most UK grain is imported from the United States. It is one of the oldest known grains and is a major human food source in Africa and India. There are many sorghum subspecies, which are divided into four groups:

• Grain sorghums (used for feed grain and human food flour) • Grass sorghums (for grazing pasture, hay, and silage) • Sweet sorghums (sorghum syrups are made from this variety) • Broom corn (which has stiff fibres used for brooms and brushes)

The white-grained sorghum produces a grey flour which is excellent for baking. However, it should not be used for sprouting as the young shoots are very poisonous. Flour milled from grain sorghum has no gluten, although some manufacturers do mill it in machines previously used for gluten grains. Once milled, the flour only has a short shelf life which can be extended by keeping it in a sealed container in the fridge or freezer.

Other Names Sorghum is also known as milo, great millet, kaffir corn, millo maize, American broom corn and Guinea corn. In India it is known as cholam, jowar or juwar. In Burma it is called pyoung.

Food Families For rotation purposes, sorghum is in the cereal/ grass family

Gramineae;

Subfamily Panicateae (with millet, corn, milo, molasses and

sugar cane);

Tribe Andropogneae (with milo, molasses and sugar cane).

Source: Dumke, Nicolette M. Allergy Cooking with Ease, Starburst publishers, 2002.

Nutrition Sorghum is high in insoluble fibre, with relatively small amounts of soluble fibre. The protein and starch in sorghum endosperm are more slowly digested than other cereals. According to the American manufacturer Twin Mills, 100 grams sorghum flour contains:

Calories 339.0 Protein 11.3 g Fat 3.3 g Saturated fat 0.457 g Fibre 1.7 g Carbohydrate 73.0 g Iron 4.4 mg Sodium 6 mg

How do I use sorghum? The grain can be cooked and used as rice, and the flour can be substituted for wheat flour in a wide variety of baked goods. Sorghum has a bland flavour and light colour that does not alter the taste of finished products. A combination of sorghum flour and soybean flour works especially well. Because sorghum flour does not contain gluten, bakers often incorporate a binder such as xanthan gum or cornstarch. 14

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Baking Tips Jalpur Miller’s flour is also sold in the following • Add ½ to 1 tablespoon of corn starch to every independent stores: cup of sorghum flour to improve smoothness and moisture retention Leicester – Jalpur Millers Cash & carry, 137a • Use xanthan gum as a binder and for Harrison Road, Leicester, LE4 6NP moisture retention. Add ½ teaspoon of xanthan gum per cup of sorghum flour for Lancashire – Ashton Sweet Mart Ltd, 35/83 Oldham cookies and cakes; or 1 teaspoon per cup of Road, Ashton Under Lyne, Lancs. OL6 7DF flour for breads • Add a little extra oil or fat if you feel your Luton - Bhavins cash & Carry, 118a Bury Park Road, recipes are too dry Luton, LU1 1HE; • Add an extra egg or egg white for improved smoothness and crumb structure London - • Add a little extra baking powder and/or soda • Cheap Stores, 157 Green Street, Forest Gate, to boost rising properties. London, E7 8JE • Foodsale Centre Ltd, 86 Chapman Crescent, Kenton • Mix recipes longer.U Harrow, Middlesex, HA3 0TF;

Source: Twin Valley Mills: www.twinvalleymills.comHTU UTH • Quality Cash & Carry, 118/126 Ilford Lane, Ilford, Essex, IG1 2LE Where can I buy it? • Nita Cash & Carry, 137 Ealing Road, Wembley, As far as we are aware there are currently two Middlesex, London brands of sorghum flour available in the UK: East End • Sunrup Cash & Carry, 156 Pinner Road, North Foods and Jalpur Millers. Both varieties can usually be Harrow, Middlesex, London found in Asian supermarkets and Jalpur Miller’s have • V.B AND SONS, Greenford, Middlesex, London provided a list of specific shops detailed below. Jalpur • V.B AND SONS, Kingsbury Circle, Kenton, Miller’s flour is also sold at some Asda and Tesco Middlesex, London supermarkets nationwide; your local store may be • V.B AND SONS, Ealing Road, Wembley, Middlesex, able to order it in specially: London • West Hendon Food Stores Ltd, 147/149 The

Asda:TU U www.asda.co.uk Broadway West Hendon, Middlesex, London,

AsdaT Customer Services, T NW9 7EA

ASDAT House, Southbank, Great Wilson Street,

Leeds, LS11 5AD T West Midlands –

Telephone:T 0500 100055 T • East End Cash & Carry, 58-68 Darwin Steet, PSW Buildings Off Leopold Road, Birmingham,

Tescos:U U www.tesco.comHT TH B12 0TY; Tesco Customer Service, PO Box 73, Baird Avenue, • Masaka General Stores, 296-298 Stratford Road, Dryburgh Industrial Estate, Dundee, DD1 9NF Sparkhill, Birmingham, B11 1AA Telephone: 0800 505555

FFRREEEE SSoorrgghhuumm FFlloouurr!!

MCAFI Magazine has 5 bags of Sorghum flour to give away courtesy of Jalpur Millers. The first 5 members’ th names to be picked out on 7P DecemberP will receive a free bag of flour. All you have to do is send your name, address and membership number to:

MCAFI Sorghum Flour 29 Kipling Close Hitchin Herts. SG4 0DU

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SSOORRGGHHUUMM Chocolate Cake By Verleen Vorderstrasse

½ cup / 125ml oil RREECCIIPPEESS ½ cup / 125ml buttermilk 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla ½ cup / 125ml boiling water 1 cup / 225g sugar Basic Pastry Biscuits 1¼ cup / 190g sorghum flour 1 cup / 150g sorghum flour 1½ tsp xanthan gum Water 1½tsp baking soda Approx 2tbsp oil ¼ tsp salt 3 tbsp baking cocoa Mix the flour and 2 tbsp oil in a bowl to form breadcrumbs. Stir in a little water. Add extra as needed Beat together oil, buttermilk, egg and vanilla. Sift dry until a soft dough is formed. Shape into walnut-sized ingredients and add, beating well. Add ½ cup / 125ml balls and flatten into biscuit shapes. Bake on a greased boiling water. Beat till smooth. Grease 20 cm (8") tray in a pre-heated oven at 180°C (350°F or gas Mark square pan. Pour cake batter into pan. Bake at 180°C 4) for 25 minutes or until crisp. (350°F or gas Mark 4) for 35-40 minutes. Cool. Frost Makes approx. 12 biscuits. with favourite frosting, if desired.

Apple Crisp Sorghum Chapattis 4 cups / 700g sliced apples 1 cup / 150g sorghum flour ½ tsp cinnamon Water Oil for greasing frying pan Slice apples into a 20 cm (8") square pan. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Add enough water to the flour to form a stiff dough. Divide the dough into balls a little bigger than a golf ball. Crumble topping: Flatten the balls into rounds, about 1/2 cm thick. ½ cup / 110g margarine Place the rounds onto a greased frying pan, cook on a 3/4 cup / 175g sugar low heat. Cook both sides. 3/4 cup / 110g sorghum flour Makes approx. 10 chapattis. Bake at 180°C (350°F or gas Mark 4) for approximately 1 hour or until topping turns light brown.

Bread Machine Bread Recipe

By Jill Miller Egg Noodles 2 eggs By Marilyn Schoof 1½ tsp egg replacer mixed with 2 tbsp water 1 2/3 cup or 385ml water 1 cup / 150g sorghum flour 3 tbsp oil 1 tbsp corn starch 2¼ tsp yeast 1 tsp xanthan gum 2 tsp vinegar 1/8 tsp salt 2 cups / 300g sorghum flour 1 whole egg 1½ cups / 225g brown rice flour 2 egg whites 2½ tsp xanthan gum 1 tsp oil 1½ tsp salt ½ cup / 60g dry milk powder 3 tbsp sugar Place egg and egg whites in bowl. Beat with a fork until well blended. Add oil and blend. In separate bowls mix Combine egg replacer and eggs. Mix water with vinegar flour, corn starch, xanthan gum and salt. Gradually add and oil. Sift all dry ingredients together. Put all liquids in to egg mixture. Mix until it forms a ball. Knead a few bread machine. Set machine on short cycle, start and times by hand. Roll out on a floured board and cut in mix in dry ingredients. Bake. Cool prior to slicing. desired width. Let dry then add to boiling broth. If the If batter is too moist, add up to 100g or ½ cup eggs are large, a little more flour may need to be added. additional sorghum flour. N.B. Where converted, metric measurements have been rounded up or down for convenience.

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News and Research:

Chronic Fatigue Genes Identified

Scientists believe they have identified thousands of genes which appear to play a role in chronic fatigue syndrome. A team from Glasgow University found a particular pattern of genetic activity among 50 people with the condition. By looking at the whole genome of about 50 people with chronic fatigue syndrome, researchers discovered certain genes that were different to those seen in healthy people of a similar age and sex. Dr Gow, lead researcher said: "We have identified genes which were up-regulated compared with genes in normal healthy individuals, suggesting we could possibly have a diagnostic test for this syndrome which doesn't exist at the moment."

They hope their work, which is still in its early stages, could lead to a diagnostic test and new treatments although it will take another year's development before it becomes an accepted diagnostic test. Dr Gow added they would need to check that this "gene signature" was specific for chronic fatigue syndrome by looking at more people with the condition, which would take a year or so.

Colleagues at the same university are also looking at targeting treatments towards the faulty biochemical pathways caused by the overactive genes in chronic fatigue syndrome. These drugs are already on the market for other conditions, so if they are proved to be useful in chronic fatigue syndrome, they could be given to patients in the near future.

"Our work has given us clues as to which pathways are up-or down-regulated and we know which drugs activate different pathways, so we think we can find drug treatments that will be beneficial to patients," Remarked Dr Gow. "Having said that, it really needs to go through proper trials before these drugs become widely available."

The research was partly funded by MERGE – an M.E. research charity based in Scotland.

FreecycleU Offer: • 1 perfume-wearing auntie, • 1 brother complete with spray-deodorants and hair gel, • 1 cat with fleas and unused chemical flea-

repellent spray. Offgassed and Free! Wanted:U Chef able to conjure up great meals with If you or someone you know has access to the Internet, you might minimum of strange ingredients, wash up, be interested to know about a new recycling scheme: clean the house and amuse the kids for http://freecycle.org/HTU UTH Freecycle™ started life in Tuscan Arizona but has now spread throughout the world, giving people the chance to hours very quietly. Well-meaning, loud, pass on their unwanted goods free to other people. The concept is perfume-wearing aunties not accepted. simple:

“Each Freecycle™ group matches people who have things they need to get rid of with people who can use them. Our goal is to keep usable items out of the landfill. By using what we already have on this earth, we reduce consumerism, manufacture fewer goods, and lessen the impact on the earth. Another benefit of using Freecycle™ is that it encourages us to get rid of junk that we no longer need and promote community involvement in the process.”

There are already many groups in the UK, so there is bound to be one near you, and all you need to do is register your email address. Quite apart from the environmental benefits, this scheme is of course ideally suited to people with chemical sensitivities since many sufferers are on low incomes and cannot tolerate the fumes from new goods. It also provides a great opportunity to get rid of items that are now too fumey to live with, although freecycling family or pets is not allowed!

For more information on Freecycling and a list of other approved Freecycle™ groups visit:

http://freecycle.org/HTU UTH

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MCAFI 8 Page Special Report CCaann CClleeaanniinngg DDaammaaggee YYoouurr HHeeaalltthh?? SSooaapp aanndd DDeetteerrggeenntt

While some people with chemical sensitivity have instant reactions to all sorts of cleaners and soaps, others only seem to react to a relatively small selection. In fact sensitivity to cleaning products is extremely common. Think of all the people you know that get a rash from certain washing up liquids, car foams or washing powders. How many others complain their shampoo makes their scalp feel itchy?

So what exactly is in these products? Many people would be surprised to learn that there are not that many differences between personal and household cleaners. Although no- one would dream of using their shower gel to wash the dishes, or bathe in kitchen cleaner, sometimes the only real difference is in the concentration of detergent and the design of the bottle. Even modern soaps are usually misnamed forms of detergent. It’s not a new phenomenon; our not-too-distant ancestors were quite happy using a good old bar of soap to clean both themselves and their houses. The main difference is that soap can be made with just two ingredients (an alkali and a fat/oil), while detergents require an ever- increasing cocktail of petrochemical and natural substances.

The Benefits of Detergent

Detergents were originally developed for industrial use in hard water areas. They were much cheaper to produce than soap and seemed to clean more efficiently by producing more surface tension of the water, enabling it to interact with foam and less scum. In fact both detergents and soap other cleaners. produce some scum – if they didn’t, no-one would ever Why Use Soap? have to clean their bath – but it is true that both are less efficient in hard water areas and as such are more Many people with chemical sensitivity find they have likely to irritate sensitive skin. Foamy bubbles are not fewer reactions using naturally made soap as opposed to necessary for efficient cleaning however, they are chemical detergents. There are also usually very few usually just added to appeal to our senses. ingredients in handmade soaps which makes it a lot easier to decide whether it is likely to contain any Some form of soap or detergent is necessary as washing allergens. This is not true of commercially produced with just cold soaps, which are usually bars of hardened detergent – Want Less Soap Scum? water does not even the so-called ones for ‘sensitive’ skin. Soap is an A natural soap with a high remove grease or effective cleaner for bodies, hair, clothes, dishes, floors, percentage of coconut oil bacteria. Soap kitchen surfaces, in fact anywhere you would normally should rinse well in any type attracts to both use a detergent. Different vegetable oils and essential of water. grease and water oils used in the soap can give it different properties such molecules which as anti-bacterial, moisturising or even more bubbles. enables water to remove normally insoluble grime. People with MCS are less likely to react to soaps than Detergents work slightly differently by lowering the commercially produced detergents.

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l l a a i i c c e e DDeecciipphheerriinngg tthhee CCooddee p p S S

I I F F A A C C P M M Chemicals in commercially produced cleaning products may not be as safe as we like to imagine. Identifying which substance you are allergic to is one thing, but identifying what’s in a cleaning product is quite another. One look at the label on the side of a cosmetic or household cleaning product does nothing to allay fears about the possible health risks inside. And it’s not just commercial cleaning products either. Even natural and organic preparations are well known to cause allergic reactions in hypersensitive people. Let’s face it, there are many substances in nature that are highly toxic, and any substance can be harmful if it is ingested in a large enough quantity. So just how do you decipher the code on the side of the bottle? To help you decide which chemicals you want in your home, we have compiled a brief reference list of some of the substances that can be found in personal and household cleaning products; helping you make an informed choice.

AmmoniaU U – A weak acid that is often used in household 5-Dimethyldantoin also forms hydrochlorite bleach when cleaners, particularly for glass. In solution it is unlikely mixed with water. Chlorine bleach should be used with to build-up in the bloodstream as the body has specific care as it can cause respiratory problems, skin rashes enzymes that can deal with it. However the fumes are a and injury to internal organs if ingested. Even when well known irritant even at low levels. Ammonia can dried bleach is mixed with water (because of residue on irritate the mucous membranes, eyes, lungs and skin work surfaces for instance), it can produce chlorine and can aggravate asthma. Splashes can cause burns or fumes which are irritating to the eyes, nose and lungs. skin rash. Ammonia should never be mixed with Bleach should never be mixed with other cleaning products containing chlorine as they combine to produce solutions or acids, such as vinegar, as it can easily highly toxic chloramine gas. Ammonia is highly toxic to combine to release chloramine gas which is highly toxic. aquatic animals even in dilute concentrations. Amongst other things, chlorine dioxide is used for the bleaching of wood pulp, fats and oils, cellulose, flour,

AmmoniumU lauryl sulphate U and ammonium laureth textiles, beeswax, and in a number of other industries. sulphate – The molecular structure of these chemicals is In the food industry, some organic peroxides (acetone significantly different to that of sodium laureth sulphate peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, etc.) and other agents (e.g. and they do not have the same potential to irritate the bromates) are used as flour bleaching and maturing skin. Because their molecules are larger than those of agents. SLS, they are not able to pass through the skin and

therefore cannot be absorbed into the body in the same ButylU Cellosolve U – A chemical solvent that is quickly way. Because of this, ammonium lauryl and laureth absorbed into the skin and can attack the nervous sulphates are considered to be milder and safer system; a good reason for wearing gloves when alternatives to SLS. cleaning! Inhalation can cause headaches, nausea and damage to internal tissues and organs. Also known as 2-

BleachU U – Common chemical bleaches include sodium Butoxyethanol, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether.U U hypochlorite, (chlorine bleach), and ‘oxygen bleach’, Besides cleaning preparations, it is also a component of which contains hydrogen peroxide or a peroxide- some paints, ink, acrylic resins and leather protectors. releasing compound (e.g. sodium perborate, or sodium percarbonate). Sodium percarbonate is considered Diethanolamine DEA, Cocamide DEA, Lauramide harmless to the environment as it decomposes into DEA - Colourless liquids or crystalline alcohols that are oxygen, water and natural soda ash when in contact used to thicken, wet, clean or change the pH value of a with moisture. ‘Bleaching powder’ is calcium product. These chemicals are almost always present in hypochlorite. Most household bleaches contain about 5% products that foam. Although they can irritate the skin, sodium hypochlorite and are used as disinfectants. eyes and respiratory tract, they used not to be

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DMDM Hydantoin – A formaldehyde-forming preservative found in skin, body, hair and nail products. P M M C Quick Reference Like Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea, can cause C A A F joint pain, allergies, depression, headaches, chest pain, F I I

S chronic fatigue, dizziness, insomnia asthma, weaken the S p p e Emulsifier / Surfactant immune system and even cause cancer. However it is e c c i i a An emulsion is a mixture of two unblendable still considered safe to use as it is primarily utilised in a l l

R substances. An emulsifier or surfactant is a substance products designed to wash off the skin. R e e p which stabilizes an emulsion i.e. keeps the substance p o o r EDTA – stands for Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. r t mixed. t P

Reduces water hardness and is used to stabilise bleach Humectant and foaming agents to prevent them from becoming A humectant keeps something moist. Glycerine and active before they are immersed in water. Is also used propylene glycol are both humectants. as an alternative to phosphates. EDTA can irritate the skin and binds with toxic metals in the environment, Hydrogenation returning them to the water supply and food chain. The addition of hydrogen to a compound, especially to solidify an unsaturated fat or fatty acid. Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Acetate – a relative of the solvent Butyl Cellosolve. Can damage internal Nonionic / Anionic detergent organs via skin absorption.

A class of synthetic detergents in which the molecules Formaldehyde do not ionize in solutions containing water. Formaldehyde is an inexpensive preservative that is commonly used in shampoos, conditioners, shower gels, pH foaming bath products and some anti-bacterial hand This is a measure of acidity. The pH scale extends wash formulations. It is also used in nail hardening from 0 to 14, with 7 expressing neutral, 7.1 or higher products. Both Japan and Sweden have banned its use expressing increased alkalinity and 6 or lower in cosmetics. Some of the most allergenic and irritating representing an increasing acidity. preservatives are also known to release small amounts of formaldehyde, which is not only an irritant and skin Tensio-active sensitizer, but is cancer-causing and damaging to the Having an effect on surface tension. nervous system. The following ingredients contain formaldehyde, may release formaldehyde, or may break

down into formaldehyde: 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-

diol · diazolidinyl urea · DMDM hydantoin · imidazolidinyl considered particularly toxic by themselves. However urea · quaternium 15. recent studies seem to indicate that DEA does have the capacity to cause cancer. When found in products that Glycerine – known technically as glycerol. This is a also contain nitrates, the DEA chemicals are known to form of alcohol used as a solvent and humectant react with the nitrates to form carcinogenic nitrosamines (attracts water to the skin to act as a moisturiser). May such as NDEA (N-nitrosodiethanolamine) that are easily be made from petrochemicals or a plant source. It has absorbed into the skin. low toxicity if left on the skin or not rinsed off well, but Related chemicals such as the other ethanolamines, can ironically also cause dry skin. Glycerine is often triethanolamine (TEA), monoethamolamine (MEA) and added to soap to keep it from drying out and occurs as a morpholine can also react with undisclosed preservatives natural by-product of handmade soaps. or contaminants to form carcinogenic (cancer-causing) nitrosamines. Some may also contain the carcinogen Imidazolidinyl Urea and Diazolidinyl Urea - These 1,4-dioxane. See also Triethanolamine (TEA). are the most commonly used preservatives after the

parabens. They are well established as a primary cause Dioxin - A carcinogenic by-product of many combustion of contact dermatitis (American Academy of and manufacturing processes, especially the weed-killers Dermatology). Two trade names for these chemicals are 245-T and 24-D and the manufacturing of pulp for paper Germall II and Germall 115. Neither of the Germall production. Dioxins are also found as a by-product in chemicals have a good antifungal, and must be the manufacture of foaming cleansers such as combined with other preservatives. Germall 115 shampoos, toothpastes and cleansers. Dioxin- releases formaldehyde at just over 10°. contaminated containers which include some plastic manufacturing processes for plastic bottles sometimes Lye – is sodium or potassium hydroxide. Used for many transfer dioxins into the product itself. Some dioxins are purposes including oven and drain cleaners. It is a very slowly removed from the body and therefore they highly caustic alkali that can burn the skin and cause accumulate in our fat tissue. In laboratory animals, breathing problems and blindness. (Vinegar is a mild dioxins are highly toxic, cause cancer, and alter acid that can help to neutralize lye if it makes contact reproductive, developmental and immune function. The with the skin.) Products containing bleach usually effect of the long term low level exposure that is contain lye to improve stain removal. Lye is usually the normally experienced by the general population is not alkali used in soap making. However because of the known. saponification process, if the soap is made properly

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there will be no residues of lye left in the end product. It

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t t also has various uses in the food industry. r r o o p p e e Methyl and Propyl and Butyl and Ethyl Paraben — R R

l l Used as inhibitors of microbial growth and to extend a a i i c c shelf life of products. Widely used even though they are e e p p known to be toxic. Have caused many allergic reactions S S

I I and skin rashes. Methyl paraben combines benzoic acid F F A A with the methyl group of chemicals. C C P M

M Parabens are a family of compounds commonly used as preservatives, but are well known skin and eye irritants and have also been found to mimic the female hormone oestrogen, leading to reproductive abnormalities. Some scientists suspect there may be a link between parabens and breast cancer although more research is needed. Parabens can be absorbed into the body through the skin. Cosmetics that contain parabens have been banned by Japan and Sweden although many other If the soap is made properly there will be no residues of countries feel this is unnecessary because of the low lye left in the end product…. quantities used.

Paraffinium Liquidum is a posh term for liquid paraffin PDCB – stands for paradichlorobenzene. It is a common or mineral oil. On contact, the biggest problems mineral insecticide which is used to control mildew. It is irritating oil can cause are sweat rash and inflammation of the to the eyes, nose and throat, and is thought to cause hair follicles. Questions have been raised about mineral liver damage in animals. Symptoms of PDCB exposure oil as a potential cancer risk, but any carcinogenic effect can include drowsiness, weakness, headaches and of the oil is down to contamination with a group of nausea. chemicals called polyaromatic hydrocarbons. If ingested, mineral oil acts to dissolve fats, and if taken with food Pentasodium Pentetate – an inorganic salt used as a can interfere with the absorption of vital substances. water softener and preservative in products where metals are used. Can be irritating to the skin. Disodium Parfum or fragrance is a term to encompass hundreds EDTA and Tetrasodium EDTA work in a similar way. of chemicals used to fragrance products. Most are synthetic petrochemicals, 24 of which have been Phenol or carbolic acid – Phenol is a powerful identified as a common cause of allergies by the disinfectant and bacteria killer used in air fresheners, European Union’s Scientific Committee on Cosmetics disinfectant, as an antiseptic, and in medicinal And Non-Food Products. Despite this, specific chemicals in parfum do not have to be labelled so there is no way of telling what might be in a particular product. The fragrance Coumarin is rapidly absorbed through the skin and into the body; A few people who have ingested Coumarin have suffered liver damage as a result. Both petrochemical and natural fragrances can be absorbed directly through the skin and are able to get through the blood-brain barrier, directly into the limbic system in the brain.

Did You Know?

Food uses of lye include washing or chemical peeling of fruits and vegetables, chocolate and cocoa processing, caramel colour production, poultry scalding, soft drink processing, and thickening ice cream. Olives are often soaked in lye to soften them, while pretzels and German lye rolls are glazed with a lye solution before baking to make them crisp. Lye is used to make the Scandinavian delicacy known as lutefisk (from lutfisk, "lye fish"). Hominy is dried maize (corn) kernels reconstituted by soaking in lye-water.

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Triclosan in Toothpaste

About three years ago I read an article in a Weleda homeopat hic magazine about the effects of triclosan. Triclosan is a very effective antibacterial/ antimicrobial agent, which in recent years has been added to many products including some deodorants, handwashes and in particular many toothpastes and mouthwashes. Triclosan works by preventing the growth of bacteria. The problem with removing bacteria from the mouth is that the mouth should naturally contain many good bacteria. These work as part of our immune systems preventing many microbes entering through the mouth and going into the rest of the body to cause infection. Without the good bacteria within our mouths we are more likely to become ill with infections.

Like many people with ME I was very prone to having sore throats and various throat infections since developing the illness. Having read the article I thought it would be worth finding an alternative toothpaste to the one I had been using, which on reading the ingredients on the pack did contain among other things, triclosan. Since changing to herbal toothpaste my health appears to be improved. In particular I have had far fewer sore throats and throat infections. My father who has many sore throats since needing to have tonsils removed, also changed to a herbal toothpaste and has reported similar effects.

There are several brands of toothpaste on the market which do not contain triclosan. Most health food shops appear to stock several brands (the independents seem to have more choice than Holland and Barrett). I now use one made by Kingfisher and this toothpaste has been approved by the British Dental Association.

Kathy Lawrence

Editor’s Note: Two research projects have also concluded “Switching from a toothpaste containing SLS to one without, can lead to a statistically significant decrease in the occurrence of mouth ulcers in those with recurrent aphthous ulcers.”

HERLOFSON BB, BARKVOLL P. Sodium lauryl sulphate and recurrent aphthous ulcers. preliminary study. Acta Odontol Scand 1994 Oct: 52(5):257-9. CHAHINE L, SEMPSON N, WAGONER C. The effect of sodium lauryl sulphate on recurrent aphthous ulcers: A clinical study. Compend Contin Educ Dent 1997: 18 (12): 1238-40.

as antifreeze. In small concentrations, PEGs have no preparations, such as mouthwash and sore throat known skin toxicity although they can contain toxic - lozenges. It is also used in the production of nylon, and often carcinogenic - impurities. plywood and epoxy resin. Repeated exposure to low levels of phenol in drinking water has been associated Polyquaternium - also known as with diarrhoea and mouth sores. Skin exposure can diallyldimethylammonium chloride. A transparent, liquid, cause pain and burning followed by numbness and synthetic compound with antistatic properties used in dermatitis. When the skin is exposed to phenol, the size shampoo, mouse, hairspray, hair dye and contact lens of the total surface area of exposed skin can influence solution. “Mildly irritating”; further toxicity data is not the severity of the toxic effects. In high concentrations available. it burns the skin, can cause serious internal corrosion if inhaled and is a suspected carcinogen. As phenol is also Propylene Glycol - Propylene glycol is a derivative of an anaesthetic, damage can occur to the skin and natural gas. It is commonly used in a variety of tissues before pain is perceived. It can affect the central consumer products and food products, including nervous system, (the nerves that make up the brain and deodorants, pharmaceuticals, moisturising lotions, fat- spinal chord) and with prolonged exposure leads to free ice cream and sour cream products. It acts as a nausea, vomiting and coma. Phenol can have beneficial solvent for the other ingredients. It is a mild irritant and effects when used medically as an antiseptic or easily absorbed by the skin. If large quantities of anaesthetic. Many substances are converted to phenol in propylene glycol are repeatedly applied to the skin or the body and it is found naturally in animal wastes and ingested, it can depress the central nervous system –the decomposing organic material. nerves that make up the brain and spinal chord. Medication containing propylene glycol has been linked Pine Oil – A common ingredient in disinfectants and to fatal depression of the central nervous system in deodorants, it is made from steam distillation of premature babies. Other effects on the central nervous pinewood. In a concentrated form it is a skin irritant and system have been described in children whose skin has may cause allergic reactions. been in contact with the chemical. Propylene Glycol is often used in ‘natural’ products as a preservative or Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) – A relative of propylene humectant. Ideally this is a vegetable glycerine mixed glycol, it is a caustic used to dissolve grease. with grain alcohol, both of which are natural but it may Polyethylene glycol (along with other glycols and be a synthetic petrochemical mix. glycerol) is easily absorbed by the skin and used as an emulsifier and humectant (moisturiser) in cosmetics. Stearic Acid – A colourless, odourless, waxlike fatty Also found in skin cleansers, oven cleaners, cosmetics, acid, stearic acid occurs naturally in vegetable and toothpaste, laxatives and in 100% concentration is used animal fats, but has to go through a hydrogenation

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process to convert it into the end product. It is used to while sodium palm kernelate contains lye and palm

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t t emulsify, thicken, bind, and stabilize lotions and creams, kernel oil. r r o o and is often added as skin softener. Stearic acid is used p p e e in a variety of products such as cosmetics, soaps, Synthetic Colours - Synthetic colours are believed to R R

l l candles, lubricants and also foods. be cancer-causing agents, especially those derived from a a i i c c coal tar. The latter will be labelled as FD&C or D&C, e e p p Sodium Chloride – This is the same as table salt. It is followed by a colour and a number. Example: FD&C Red S S

I I used as a water softener to help the product rinse better No. 6 / D&C Green No. 6. F F A A in hard water. CI 14700 – FD & C Red 1, includes cancer-causing C C P M

M naphthalene, and sometimes aluminium. Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) – added to a great CI 47005 – Quinoline yellow or D&C Yellow 10, can many toiletries as a detergent, emulsifier and to produce also contain aluminium or CI 74260 (pigment green) for foam. Can irritate the skin and eyes even at low which there is no known safety data. concentrations, although it is less irritating than SLS. Because it draws fatty molecules from the surface skin Manufacturers of personal care products are layers, it may make the skin feel tighter after usage. quick to point out that potentially toxic chemicals are safe to use in their products Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) - This synthetic because they are included in such small substance is used in shampoos for its detergent and quantities, (even more so if the product is foam-building abilities. It is used in a huge variety of designed to be washed off the skin). However, toiletries as well as toothpaste, washing up and laundry detergents, and also industrial cleansing chemicals such although studies have been carried out on as engine degreasers. There are many derivatives of individual chemicals, no research has been done SLS that can be found in commercial preparations, into the effects of multiple substances being including sodium laureth sulphate, sodium laureth-3 used or ingested at the same time. If you stop sulphate, and DEA or TEA sodium lauryl sulphate. to consider how many toiletries or commercial Although these derivatives may vary slightly in cleaning products you use in just one day, this is mildness, the general action and effects are essentially extremely alarming news. The average person similar. It is a well-known skin irritant, and can cause can easily use a shampoo, conditioner, styling eye irritations, skin rashes, hair loss, scalp-scurf similar gel and skin lotion one or more times in a single to dandruff, and mouth ulceration. It is frequently disguised in pseudo-natural cosmetics with the day, making the total daily dose of chemicals, parenthetic explanation "comes from coconut" although (e.g. parabens) substantial. Because many of pure coconut oil is not SLS. When combined with other these products are used by children and young ingredients SLS can form nitrosamines which are adults, the potential for long-time exposure can carcinogenic (cancer-causing). SLS easily penetrates the be considerable. skin and can lodge itself in the heart, lungs, liver and brain. A single drop of SLS can remain in the body for 5 days, so if you Triclosan - Also known as Microban and used because wash a child’s hair more of its antibacterial properties. A recent study by than once a week with a researchers from the Swiss Federal Research Station SLS containing shampoo, found it is ‘very bioaccumulative’, meaning it is likely to there will be constant accumulate in the body rather than being washed out. levels of SLS present. The Studies have also found high levels in human breast effects of SLS also milk. become harsher with increasing temperature Triethanolamine (TEA) - Often used in cosmetics to which is important to note adjust the pH, and used with many fatty acids to convert if you prefer to wash in acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for warm water! a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time. As Sodium Tallowate – with any amines, it may have the potential to create Sodium tallowate or hydrogenated tallow is made from cancer-causing nitrosamines. See also Diethanolamine sodium hydroxide (lye), water, and animal tallow. TallowT DEA. is a fat derived from slaughtered animals which is

refined through a process of melting and filtering. There Sources include: is usually a high content of heavy metals and pesticides WDDTY October 1999, vol. 10, No 7, pp1-4 in the fat. T WDDTY PROOF! Sept 2001, vol. 6, No 2, pp1-3 WDDTY, May 2001, vol. 12, No 2 pp1-4 Sodium Palmate, Sodium palm kernelate, Sodium WDDTY PROOF! Feb 2005, vol. 9 No 7, pp1-3 Cocoate – All substances of vegetable origin, but are Guardian Chemical World processed so much, few of their plant substances http://www.aubrey-organics.com/ remain. Most substances prefixed with ‘sodium’ are http://www.health-report.co.uk/HT TH site. made utilising sodium hydroxide (lye), for example, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: www.niehs.nih.govHT TH sodium cocoate is a combination of lye and coconut oil

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P M M C C A A F F I I

S S p Cleaning The Natural Way p e e c c i i a a l l

R Sometimes it can be easier and cheaper to R e e p p o make your own cleaning products: o r r t t P

Lemon Juice A natural disinfectant and bleach. Rub half a lemon onto chrome taps to make them shine, or onto work surfaces to disinfect. A lemon from a supermarket costs about 16p.

White Vinegar Also called distilled malt vinegar. Because it is acidic it cuts through grease and grime and also dissolves limescale. A 568ml bottle of vinegar costs around 65p.

Bicarbonate of Soda Also called sodium bicarbonate. Mildly abrasive, so acts as a good cream cleaner when mixed with a little water. Is also a good deodoriser – fridge manufacturers actually prefer you clean your fridge with a warm solution of bicarb as opposed to detergents. A 200g tub of soda costs around 48p.

A recent Which Report (March 2005) compared these natural cleaning products with their manufactured alternatives. In 4 out of the 6 tests, the natural cleaning products proved as or more effective than the chemical detergents. Their tips:

For windows mix one part distilled vinegar to nine parts water. Apply to smeary windows or mirrors, then buff up with pieces of newspaper.

For red wine, grass and blood stains, squeeze on some lemon juice and wipe with a damp cloth. For coffee, pour soda water onto the stain then blot with a cloth.

To descale the kettle, add half water, half distilled white vinegar and boil. Get rid of the vinegar afterwards by boiling fresh water in the kettle several times.

Allergic to Vinegar and Soda?

Dry steam guns are excellent tools for cleaning, effectively sanitising and cutting through grease all round the house. Use a steam gun to clean windows, work surfaces, sanitise the bathroom, and on carpets and upholstery to kill dust-mites and fleas. Dirt Devil’s Hand Held Steam Gun is easy to use and very effective. Priced £39.99. Available from various high street shops including Argos.

Soapnut is a brown powder ground from a nut grown in India. Does not foam, but can be used to clean absolutely anything from hair and laundry, to dishes, cars andT even fruit and vegetables. T ScientificT tests have shown that a ten minute soak in a soapnut solution will remove up to 95% of the surface pesticides and chemical residues. T Available in various quantities from grams to several kilos. More details from Soapnut, Cedars Cottage, Ixworth Road, Thurston, Bury St Edmunds IP31 3QE. Tel. 01359 232 686

Web: www.soapnut.comHT TH Email: [email protected] .TH

Natural Stain Remover by Angela Martin Apple Press, 2002 How to clean your home without harmful chemicals. This pocket-sized book contains hundreds of helpful hints and recipes for mixtures that work really well, using a basic dozen ingredients - mainly soda, borax, vinegar and soap. Also contains an A-Z of stain removal ideas from biro, blood and grease to suncream, vomit and wax. An invaluable guide to cleaning without chemicals and very reasonably priced at £3.99.

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t t r r o o p p e e R R

l l Labelling a a i i c c e e

p It is a legal requirement that all skin care products must be labelled with the ingredients in descending order p S S

I of their quantity in the product. A good rule of thumb is to divide the ingredient list into thirds: the top third I F F usually contains 90-95% of the product, the middle third usually contains 5-8% and the bottom third, 1-3%. A A C C Current EU laws state that all cosmetic and personal care products must contain a list of ingredients, the P M M purpose of the product (unless obvious), any warning statements, precautionary information and restrictions. If it is not on the box, the manufacturer is legally obliged to provide a list of ingredients on request. It does not have to show substances used during the production if they are no longer present, nor impurities in the raw materials such as pesticide residues, chemical by-products formed accidentally during manufacture or substances used as a carrier for fragrances. Ingredients do not have to be listed on free samples or small courtesy bottles.

Fragrance: reaction, but they are not required certified by an official body like the The U.S. Food & Drug to substantiate these claims. Soil Association. The SA logo is Administration (FDA) state that only granted to a product if 95% of individual perfume ingredients Natural: its content (excluding water) is don't have to be listed and can be A meaningless word that can be from organic sources. Some lumped under the term applied to ingredients derived from manufacturers still use the term in "fragrance". However things are petrol as much as plants. The its widest sense, meaning different in Europe. As from March Guide to the Cosmetics Products ‘containing carbon’. Since all living 2005, the European Union’s (EU) (Safety) Regulations things contain carbon this renders th 7P P Amendment states cosmetic (www.dti.gov.uk) describes natural the term meaningless, so look for ingredient lists must include 26 as: “any substance or preparation an organic certification such as: specific perfume ingredients if the of synthetic or natural origin used The Soil Association (UK), Ecocert percentage exceeds predetermined in the composition of a cosmetic (France), Demeter (biodynamic limits. These 26 ingredients are product.” certification). those that have been identified by the SCCP as potential allergens. Naturally Sourced: Unscented: There is an exemption from Naturally sourced ingredients are Implies the product has no labelling for technical impurities far from natural, but they may noticeable odour, however that cannot be eliminated - these have naturally derived components fragrance may still have been should not be present at a level as their original source, having added to the product to mask the that raises the cosmetics safety come from, in part or in whole, a odour of the other ingredients. concerns. (e.g., carry-over natural organic source at one time. ingredients such as preservatives While they are originally made References: The Cosmetic Toiletry and Perfumery of raw materials are labelled if from natural raw materials, they Association (CTPA) Limited; www.ctpa.org.uk present at significant levels that undergo significant processing or The Rules Governing Cosmetic Products in could trigger allergy in people who refining. the European Union: Volume 1, Cosmetics Legislation, European Commission, 1999 are pre-sensitized.) Edition with February 2003 update (Directive Organic: 2003/15/EC); Directive 76/768/EEC Hypoallergenic: Can be used if as little as one Women’s Environmental Network: The manufacturer feels the product percent of the content is of organic www.wen.org.uk P&G Beauty: is less likely to cause an allergic origin, so it’s best to look for a www.pgbeautyscience.com/en_UK/main/inde product that has been properly x_en.html

Natural Hair Care:

Egg Shampoo Dry Hair Conditioner This is a very old recipe. Beat one For dry, damaged hair heat some oil and massage into the or two eggs in a cup of water and scalp. Wrap your head in a warm towel and leave for half an massage into wet hair for five to hour. Wash off with a mild shampoo. Coconut, olive and castor ten minutes. It is important to oil can all be used. allow time for the egg to clean the hair and the protein in it to act as a conditioner. It is important to rinse Honey Conditioner off thoroughly. Don’t use hot water Mix together 1 egg, 1 tsp honey, 2tsp of coconut or olive oil. as this will scramble the egg! Massage into scalp. Wrap head in a warm towel and leave for half an hour. Wash off with mild shampoo. Good for dry fine hair.

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TTeessttiinngg,, TTeessttiinngg:: ssooaapp

Many people find themselves unable to tolerate commercially-produced soap. Making your own is one option, but there are now many small companies producing handmade, natural and even organic soaps. Some will even make to order, ideal for people with multiple allergies. As consumer demand for natural products grows, unfragranced, chemical-free soaps are becoming readily available in high street health stores. MCAFI testers tried these four.

Bangi Hemp Soap Bar Clean – Purity Weight: 100g Weight: 125g Typical price: £1.15 Typical price: £2.39 Ingredients: Sodium Palmate, Hemp Seed Oil, Ingredients: Cocos nucifera, aqua, adamsonia digita, Sodium Cocoate, aloe barbadensis miller Glycerin, Sodium Chloride. Comments: A nice, creamy soap Comments: One of our testers with a fair amount of lather and not thought this one smelt strongly of too drying. However, it is quite soft soda, however, it lathers well and and tends to disappear quickly if left everyone else thought it pleasant to in a wet soap dish or at the bottom use. Not too drying. Available from health food stores or of the bath! Scores bonus points for being fair trade and online from Lancaster Trading Company (USA). hand made, but is quite expensive. Available from health food stores or online from Goodness Direct, Dietary Needs Direct, or in bulk from Tropical

Suppliers:TU Wholefoods.

Dietary Needs Direct

www.dietaryneedsdirect.co.ukHTU UTH Oliva – Pure Olive oil soap The Lodge, Fairfield Court, Fairfield, Bromsgrove, Weight: 125g Worcs. B61 9NJ Typical price: 70p Tel. 01527 579 086 Ingredients: Saponified olive oil, water, mineral salts. Email: [email protected] UTH Comments: Rather a strong Greenfibres smelling soap which put off some of www.greenfibres.co.ukHTU UTH our testers, one of whom preferred it 99 High Street Totnes Devon TQ9 5PF for hand soap rather than in the bath. Tel. 01803.868.001 However, it is the cheapest of all Email: [email protected] UTH soaps tested, cleans well and makes excellent liquid soap. Good for rotation as there are so Goodness Direct few ingredients. Available from most health food stores www.goodnessdirect.co.ukHTU UTH or online from Goodness Direct. Goodness Direct, South March, Daventry, Northants. NN11 4PH Tel. 0871 871 6611 Curd soap Email: [email protected] UTH Weight: 100g

Typical price: £1.80 Lancaster Trading Company Ingredients: palm and coconut oils. www.lancastertradingco.comHT /Merchant2/merchant.mvTH Lancaster Trading Concepts, 929 E Main Street #165, Mount Joy, PA 17552-9347 Comments: Marketed as laundry Telephone USA (717) 361-9950 soap, this is in fact excellent for normal bath use. Lathers well and Email: [email protected] TH not too soft. Excellent for use in Tropical Wholefoods rotation as there are so few ingredients. However, it is no good www.tropicalwholefoods.comHT TH Tropical Wholefoods, 7 Stradella Road, Herne Hill, for making liquid soaps as the foam London, SE24 9HN makes it impossible to pour out of the bottle! As with Tel: 0207 737 0444 other soaps, shavings can be used to wash delicate laundry. Available from Greenfibres.T

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Pesticides Since the Royal Commission’s report on crop spraying and health, there has been increasing media interest and several new studies assessing the risk of chemicals on health

Use of insecticides linked to lasting market, but some, including DDT, have been banned or restricted. The research is part of the neurological problems for farmers ongoing Agricultural Health Study funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health New research published in the June issue of Sciences and the National Cancer Institute, two of Environmental Health Perspectives shows that the National Institutes of Health, and the farmers who used agricultural insecticides Environmental Protection Agency. experienced increased neurological symptoms, Unlike previous studies that focused on pesticide even when they were no longer using the poisoning or high dose exposures, for example products. Data from18,782 North Carolina and when large amounts of a chemical were Iowa farmers linked use of insecticides, including accidentally spilled on the skin, this research organophosphates and organochlorines, to reports evaluated the health effects of agricultural of reoccurring headaches, fatigue, insomnia, chemicals as they were commonly used by dizziness, nausea, hand tremors, numbness and farmers. The NIEHS researchers examined other neurological symptoms. Some of the questionnaires completed by farmers on lifetime insecticides addressed by the study are still on the exposure to herbicides, insecticides, fungicides,

27 MCAFI Magazine October 2005

P P and fumigants, and their history of 23 neurological whether, or to what extent exposure to Ops symptoms. Those who reported experiencing more caused, or contributed to existing illness. The than 10 symptoms during the year prior to report suggested most reported illness is among completing a study questionnaire were classified as those who have experienced high OP exposures at having high levels of symptoms. one time or another although the subject’s lifetime cumulative exposures were not unusually high Researchers found that nearly 3,000 participants compared with other workers. had a high lifetime exposure to insecticides - that 30.6.05 is, they used insecticides more than 500 days in their lifetime. Nearly 800 of these farmers reported more than 10 neurological symptoms compared to those using insecticides fewer than 50 days. The Insecticide Exposure Triggers CFS researchers found no significant association between neurological symptoms and other and MCS chemicals, including herbicides or fungicides, and Researchers from Barcelona evaluated 26 patients only a weak association between fumigant who developed CFS after exposure to insecticides. exposure and neurological symptoms. A third had also developed multiple chemical Some of the insecticides used by the licensed sensitivity. Toxic exposure occurred after returning farmers over the past 25 years are no longer to the usual work place following a process of available commercially. DDT, a well-known fumigation. In 42% of cases there was no example of an organochlorine, has been banned fulfilment of fumigation safety rules. for use in the US since 1972. Organophosphates, such as malathion, chlorypyrifos, and diazinon, The majority of patients were middle-aged women have been banned or restricted for home and who developed an acute upper airway garden use in the US. However, some of the inflammatory syndrome, followed by digestive pesticides examined, including carbaryl and some syndrome, cognitive symptoms, muscle pain and pyrethroids, are available to home gardeners, chronic fatigue manifestations. The course of although in different formulations and in lower disease was shorter than one year in five cases concentrations, which may make them less (19%), longer than one year in fifteen (58%), and hazardous. disabling in six cases (23%).

"Because the participants in this study are telling Due to the possible prevention of this form of toxic us they have never been previously diagnosed with exposure, the researchers stress the importance of pesticide poisoning or medically treated for any carefully following measures of environmental exposure to any pesticide, we are led to conclude isolation and ventilation after insecticide use in that their symptoms are related to moderate order to avoid the development of these diseases. lifetime exposure," explained researcher Dr. Fernandez-Sola et al Med Clin (Barcelona). Kamel. "The large size of this study gives it great 2005 Apr 2;124(12):451-3 statistical power."

Mackar et al, Environmental Health Perspectives, June 2005

Sheep Dip Study Proves Inconclusive A case study commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on the safety of organophosphates (OP) in sheep dip has proved inconclusive. The survey of health complaints among sheep dippers was carried out by Dr. Tony Fletcher at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the results are published in his report called "SHAPE: Survey of Health and Pesticide Exposure".

The study aimed to determine whether a common syndrome could be identified that could be studied in greater depth, however, due to the self- selection of candidates it was impossible to discern

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Bird Flu - Do We Need To Be Concerned?

There has been much discussion in the media about the recent outbreak of Bird Flu (Avian Influenza / AI) and how it is likely to affect the UK. Avian influenza is a highly infectious disease affecting many species of birds, including commercial, wild and pet birds. Under certain circumstances, it can also affect people and other animals.

The disease has been around for a What are the chances it Essex has already died of the long time and has many different H5N1 virus. Debby Reynolds, could come here? strains. In the UK it was last DEFRA's chief veterinarian, said confirmed in a flock of 8000 There have been outbreaks of AI in the parrot was likely to have been turkeys in Norfolk back in January parts of SE Asia for over 18 infected with the virus while it was 1992. However, the government is months and the H5N1 strain has in quarantine with birds from most concerned about a new form now been detected in birds in Taiwan although tests conducted of the virus, H5N1, as under China, Russia, Kazakhstan, on the Taiwanese birds that had certain circumstances it has been Mongolia, Turkey, Romania, and died were inconclusive. known to also infect humans. At most recently in Croatia. Low present the virus is mainly pathogenic AI has been reported in DEFRA said the virus most closely transmitted between birds, Sweden, and a suspected case of matched a strain found in ducks in however it is possible the virus AI has been reported on the Greek China earlier this year but was not could mutate into a type that can Island of Chios. There is a concern very similar to strains discovered easily spread between humans and that migratory birds may carry the in Romania and Turkey. The spark a worldwide pandemic. disease into the UK this autumn, genetic makeup of the virus Public health authorities around affecting both farmed the world are therefore working and wild game birds. hard to wipe out the poultry However, despite the outbreaks as quickly as possible to recent outbreaks in prevent opportunities for Europe, The mutations. Department for Environment, Food & At present the disease is hard for Rural Affairs (DEFRA) humans to contract, and most of maintains the risk is low the 62 people in Asia who have although they do died from the disease since 2003 conclude that there is a were poultry farmers directly high risk of further global infected by sick birds. The dispersion. UK Ministers government's Chief Medical Officer are pressing the Sir Liam Donaldson said, “We can't European Commission for an EU- changes slightly as it spreads, and make this pandemic go away, wide ban on the importation of scientists use such tests to track because it is a natural wild birds. DEFRA comment “We its migration across the world. phenomenon, it will come, but will continue to monitor what we can do is to limit its developments and reassess the Ms. Reynolds commented: "The impact.” situation when additional confirmed case does not affect the information becomes available.” UK's official disease free status The UK government is releasing its because the disease has been th contingency plan on Thursday 26P P In fact, tests have confirmed a identified in imported birds during October. parrot in a quarantine facility in quarantine. It is very difficult for

29 MCAFI Magazine October 2005

P P humans to contract avian influenza As a consequence of Avian "Whilst it is unlikely that H5N1 however, the necessary actions to Influenza (AI) outbreaks in the Far could be passed on to humans by protect human health have been East and eastern European raw meat or eggs, cooking food taken in this instance. These continent, EU Member States have properly would inactivate the virus include culling of the bird agreed to increase levels of and eliminate this potential risk." consignment and giving antiviral surveillance for possible presence treatment as a precautionary of AI in certain species of What about game birds? measure to the small number of migratory waterbirds. In fact a Wild birds in the UK are not known people who have been in contact programme for monitoring of wild to be carrying the H5N1 strain at with the birds. bird mortalities, including for present, so the risk of being evidence of West Nile Virus, has infected when handling wild birds She added "The incident showed been in operation for some years. in this country is currently thought the importance of the UK's The EU Member States have to be very low. However to quarantine system. We have had agreed to intensify and co-ordinate minimise any risk DEFRA advise similar incidents in the past where surveillance programmes for general hygiene precautions when disease has been discovered but migratory waterbirds. A UK survey handling wild birds such as successfully contained as a result of poultry will also go ahead this wearing disposable protective of our quarantine arrangements." winter. gloves when picking up and

handling carcases and washing What is the government There is currently noT vaccine to hands, nails and forearms protect people against AI infection doing? thoroughly with soap and water

or disease,T though one is being In line with EU-wide measures, the after handling the carcass. developed. There is however good government has banned imports of Thorough washing with soap and evidence that avian flu viruses live birds and products which could water is an effective method of respond to antiviral drugs, and in potentially transmit the disease to decontamination and may usefully the UK Oseltamivir or another other birds. This includes be enhanced by the use of anti- appropriate antiviral agent would unprocessed feathers, as they viral hand wash/wipes following be used for the treatment of avian might be contaminated with faecal effective washing. flu in people exposed to the virus. material which can transmit the 26.10.05 disease. Is there a food Safety risk? For more details and the latest A temporary ban on imports of The Food Standards Agency reports, see Department for captive birds from outside of the considers that the outbreak of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs

EU was agreed on Tues 25th Oct at avian flu does not pose a food Website: www.defra.gov.ukHTU UTH the Standing Committee on the safety risk for UK consumers. This Email: [email protected] UTH Food Chain and Animal Health is because the risk of catching the Tel. 08459 33 55 77 (SCoFCAH), and the ban on disease in humans is from being in commercial bird imports was close contact with live poultry that Postal enquiries should be accompanied by restrictions on the have the disease and not through addressed to: import of pet birds. There are no eating poultry. There have been no Defra, Information Resource plans to update the rules on reports of people handling poultry Centre, Lower Ground Floor, labelling meat in response to AI meat getting infected. The World Ergon House, c/o Nobel House, outbreaks in other countries as the Health Organisation (WHO) advises 17 Smith Square, London SW1P UK does not allow imports from that there is no health risk from 3JR such countries. well-cooked poultry meat or eggs.

TThhee NNeeww AAlllleerrggeenn--FFrreeee AAppppllee Scientists in Sweden have succeeded in producing an apple with a reduced amount of the protein Mal d 1 which is known to cause allergic reactions. At the same time scientists at the UK’s Institute of Food Research have discovered exactly how the Mal d 1 allergy protein retains its potency during processing. Mal d 1 is similar to the protein found in birch pollen which is the allergen responsible for cross reactions to apples, strawberries, carrots, celery and nuts. In Sweden up to 90% of birch pollen allergic patients are sensitised to apples. Previous studies have shown that apple varieties such as Granny Smith, Golden Delicious and Cox Orange contain high levels of Mal d 1 whereas Gloster, Jamba and Belle de Boskoop contain less. No need to make room in your fruit bowl just yet though, as the apple is not due to hit the market for another four to five years - researchers now need to find somewhere to grow it! T

Oresund Food Excellence, 23 September 2005, www.skane.com

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NNeewwss RReevviieeww A roundup of news headlines from the last 6 months by

April began with two major events Jackson, finding him not guilty on all attacks, carried out by British coinciding. The head of 1 billion counts. As May approached, a citizens, apparently with the backing Catholics worldwide - Pope John general election was called in the of Al Qaeda, began to sink in, four Paul II - passed away. A passing UK, pitting Tony Blair against more would-be terrorists were that was felt not Michael Howard and Charles planning a further attack. only in Rome, with Kennedy for the keys for number Fortunately these attacks, 2 weeks tens of thousands 10. As predicted by everyone to the day after the first, failed to of people gathering except Howard and Kennedy, cause the death and injury of the outside the Vatican Blair’s Labour party stormed back first as the home-made devices to mourn together, into government, albeit with a failed to explode. The heightened but throughout the reduced majority, prompting sense of tension in the capital was world as people Howard’s resignation as Tory demonstrated the following day, gathered around TV leader. when armed police shot dead a screens to watch man at Stockwell tube station in the funeral service. As July began, London’s Hyde Park South London. Later identified as an rocked to the sounds of Live8 – Bob innocent Brazilian, police had The Pope’s death forced the delay Geldof’s reincarnation of 80’s super- mistaken him for another bomber. of the wedding of Prince Charles to gig Live Aid. The emphasis Camilla Parker-Bowles. The this time was not on raising August saw the ceremony at Windsor registry office, money for Africa, but raising passing of former followed by celebrations at Windsor awareness on the plights still Foreign Secretary Castle, had originally been planned faced by the world’s poorest Robin Cook, who died th for Friday 8P P April – the day chosen countries. The event was suddenly while walking for the Pope’s funeral. The delay, timed to coincide with the in Scotland; and of until the Saturday, was one in a meeting of the head’s of former Secretary of string of set-backs (including press government of the World’s 8 State for Ireland, Mo attacks on Camilla’s right to be richest countries, at Scotland’s Mowlam, after a long battle with queen, and the decision of the Gleneagles resort. cancer. Mo’s legacy lived on Queen to stay away from the however as, seven years after the registry office ceremony) that Despite hosting the G8 conference Good Friday agreement, the IRA dogged the couple in the weeks at Gleneagles, Tony Blair still found demonstrated an apparent leading up to the wedding. time to visit Singapore to support commitment to permanently ending last minute lobbying for the London violence, decommissioning their bid to host the 2012 Olympic arms stockpiles. Games. Headed by former gold medallist, Lord (Seb) Coe, the visit New sporting heroes were created of Blair paid off, as London beat this summer, and we became a favourite Paris to host the world’s nation of cricket lovers, during an largest sporting event, prompting epic Ashes mass celebrations in Trafalgar test series Square, and across the country. against the Australian’s. The following day, as London Cricket’s commuters read reports in the smallest morning papers of the Olympic trophy was Meanwhile pop superstar Michael victory, 52 people were killed in 4 regained by Jackson was in the dock charged separate terrorist attacks on the the English with a string of child molestation capital’s transport system. Suicide team for the charges. While the mother of his bombers exploded 3 devices on the first time in alleged victim rejected claims that tube, and a fourth on a bus, to bring nearly 20 she had been the mastermind the global war on terror to the home years after a behind schemes to raise money for front. While the shock of the series her family, the jury sided with

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News and Research:

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome (MCS): Suggestions for an extension of the U.S. MCS-case definition.

Kevin Mutch Earlier this year, researchers met to review published literature from 1997 – 2003, in an attempt to validate and extend the 1999 US case definition of MCS. The study observed that exposure symptoms can be divided into those affecting described by most as one of the the central nervous system (main characteristics), and others that affect other most exciting ever. organ systems (optional complaints). They also noted that there is a significant overlap between MCS, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and Fibromyalgia. The review concluded MCS should only be diagnosed in patients who are mainly As I write, this autumn has been suffering from exposure-related, non-specific complaints of the central nervous characterised by a series of natural system. The diagnostic procedure suggested by the review follows the guidelines disasters. The US city of New for CFS by clarifying functional disturbances in other organ systems. Orleans found itself under water as flood defences failed under the LacourHT MTH, ZunderHT T,TH SchmidtkeHT K,TH VaithHT P,TH HTScheidt C.TH weight of hurricane Katrina. Int J Hyg Environ Health. 2005;208(3):141-51. Although 1 million were evacuated, hundreds were killed by the storm, Irritable Bowel Syndrome may and disaster management agencies came under intense be Linked to Food Sensitivity criticism as aid supplies took days to arrive. The hurricane season Researchers at St. Georges Hospital in London have has also seen devastation wrought found that irritable bowel syndrome may be linked by hurricanes Dennis, which killed to allergic reactions to common foods. Scientists dozens in Cuba, and Stan, which found patients with different types of symptoms has claimed in excess of 1500 such as diarrhoea and constipation showed signs of lives in Mexico and Central food hypersensitivity, and blood tests revealed IBS patients had raised levels of antibodies to common America. food allergens. Preliminary trials involving patients avoiding problem foods has had encouraging October has brought further results. The research has been published in the suffering in Pakistan, India, American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Kashmir and Afghanistan, with a JulyT 2005 devastating earthquake. Measuring 7.6 on the Richter Scale, the quake is believed to have claimed over Food Additives Alert 80,000 lives. Food manufacturers are fighting the consumer trend for avoiding artificial additives by using words rather than numbers on their ingredient lists. However, st consumers have a right to be concerned. The 21P P Australian Total Diet Study (August 2005) has shown that a significant proportion of the Australian Tongue Twister: population takes in more than the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of sulphites and benzoates. Children aged 2-5 years may be taking in up to four times the sulphite Mr. See owned a saw. ADI since the chemicals are commonly used as preservatives in dried fruit-based And Mr. Soar owned a seesaw. snacks. Now See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw before Soar saw See, The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) recently alerted food colour manufacturers Which made Soar sore. and the European Commission after discovering the manufacturing process for Had Soar seen See's saw the common food dye Sunset Yellow could create low levels of the carcinogenic before See sawed Soar's seesaw, Sudan 1 red dye. Levels of Sudan 1 were detected at four parts per million in the See's saw would not have sawed Sunset Yellow (also known as E110 or FD&C Yellow no.6) as a result of different chemical components used in manufacturing three out of four batches of the dye. Soar's seesaw. A loophole in current EU food law allows up to 5% of “subsidiary colouring” So See's saw sawed Soar's matter to be present as by-products however, the EU Commission have now seesaw. agreed to draft an amendment to the rules. But it was sad to see Soar so sore SeptemberT 2005 just because See's saw sawed Soar's seesaw! Concerned? More information is available from:

Q. What happens if you play • The FoodT Standards Agency HTwww.food.gov.uk TH

table tennis with a rotten egg? • www.fedupwithfoodadditives.infoHT TH

• ‘E for Additives’ by Maurice Hansen - an award winning book with First it goes ping, then it goes A. complete listings of E numbers and vital information on additives and pong. guidelines for safe daily intake.

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Ingredient Listings:

LLaauunnddrryy PPrroodduuccttss

Due to the October 2005 European Parliament detergent regulation detergent labels are now required to list certain ingredients that exceed a specified percentage while others such as enzymes and perfumes must be listed irrespective of concentration. The label must also state if preservation agents have been added and fragrance allergens from the SCCNFP list must be listed if they exceed 0.01% by weight. Medical datasheets are now compulsory along with ingredients lists which must be available on the website. The requirements also state that biodegradability will be extended to all surfactants types and there will be new restrictions on certain chemicals. The good news is that most UK manufacturers have already complied with these demands voluntarily due to customer demand. This list of environmentally friendly brand laundry ingredients should help you select a product that is least likely to trigger allergies. Fabric softeners are best avoided since they leave a residue on clothes that is not designed to rinse off.

ECOS Free and Clear Laundry Liquid Manufacturer: Bio D: www.biodegraHTU dable.bizUTH Bio-D Co. Ltd, Unit 5a, Bergen Way, Sutton Fields, Plant -based surfactants (not SLS), soap bark, Kingston Upon Hull, HU7 0YQ Tel. 01482 229950 chamomile, horsetail (plant).

Earth Friendly ECOS Powder Laundry Detergent Bio-D Concentrated Laundry Liquid Sodium carbonate, sodium metasilicate, sodium Vegetable oil soap, aqua, glucose-derived detergent, percarbonate (a non-chlorine bleach), cellulose based ethanol, natural anionic detergents, citrates, citric acid optical brightener, coconut based surfactant, and soy based fabric softener. Bio-D washing Powder

Zeolite, sodium carbonate, sodium sulphate, sodium Manufacturer: Ecover www.ecover.comHTU UTH metasilicate, vegetable soap, sodium perborate, non- Ecover Belgium N.V., Industrieweg 3, B-2390 Malle,

ionic detergent, cellulose colloids. Belgium. Email: [email protected] UTH Tel (UK) 08451 30 22 30

Bio-D Nappy Fresh Sodium carbonate, sodium percarbonate, organic Ecover Biological Washing Powder sequestering agents, anionic surfactant, 15T - 30 %: zeolite, chlorine free bleach. 5 - 15 %: plant polycarboxilates, T.A.E.D activator (the blue speckles) based non-ionic tensio-active, surfactants. < 5 %: plant based soap, enzymes (guaranteed non gmo). Other Manufacturer: ingredients: soda, salts, silicate, citrate, polypeptides,

Clear Spring www.faithinnature.comHTU UTH bleach activator, natural lavender fragrance, Faith Products Ltd. Unit 2, The Saw Mill, East Street, biodegradable complexing agent, cellulose derivatives. Bury, Lancashire BL9 0RU Tel. 0161 764 2555 Ecover Non-Bio Laundry Liquid

5T - 15 %: plant based soap, plant based non-ionic Clear Spring Laundry Liquid tensio-active surfactants. < 5 %: plant based anionic Aqua (Water), >30%, Non-ionic surfactant: 5-15% tensio-active surfactants. Other ingredients: water, citric (Ammonium laureth sulphate), Sodium Carbonate: 1 - acid, citrate, and plant based fragrance (lavender). 5%, Rosemary Oil: <1%, Silicone Antifoam: <1% Ecover Non- biological washing powder

15T - 30 %: zeolite. 5 - 15 %: plant based anionic and Manufacturer: non-ionic tensio-active surfactants, plant based soap. <

Earth Friendly Products HTUwww.ecos.com/index.htmlUTH 5 %: plant based amphoteric tensio-active surfactants.

Email HTU [email protected] Other ingredients: soda, salts, silicate, citrate, 44 Green Bay Rd., Winnetka, Illinois 60093 polypeptides, cellulose derivatives and natural clay.T Tel. 1-800-335-3267 Fax: 847-446-4437

Ecover Washing Tablets Earth Friendly ECOS Ultra Concentrated Laundry 15T - 30 %: chlorine free bleach, zeolite. 5 - 15 %: soda, Liquid 1479ml silicate, plant based non-ionic tensio-active surfactants. Plant based surfactants, soap bark, chamomile, horsetail < 5 %: plant based soap, bleach activator, enzymes (the plant!), lavender, rosemary, cellulose optical (guaranteed non gmo). Other ingredients: citrate, brightener, soy based fabric softener, essential oils of polypeptides, sulphate, natural clay, cellulose magnolias and lillies, water. derivatives, glycerin, natural lavender fragrance.

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EcoverT Non-Bio Laundry Liquid Manufacturer:

5T - 15 %: plant based soap, plant based non-ionic SonettT www.sonett-online.deHTU UTH tensio-active surfactants. < 5 %: plant based anionic Sonett OHG, D-88693 Deggenhausen, Germany tensio-active surfactants. Other ingredients: water, citric Tel. 0049 7555 947 44 acid, citrate, and plant based fragrance (lavender).

T

EcoverT Delicate Sonett Washing Powder 40ºC-95ºC 5T - 15 % : plant based anionic tensio-active surfactants. < 5 %: plant based non-ionic tensio-active surfactants, soap from vegetable oils in parts organically grown, plant based soap. Other ingredients: water, salt, citric soda, silicates, clay minerals, fatty alcohol sulphate, acid, 100 % biodegradable preservative and plant based balm additives. fragrance. Sonett Washing Liquid 30ºC-95ºC T soap from rape seed oil (in parts organically grown), Manufacturer: sugar surfactants, fatty alcohol sulphate, natural Soapnut: www.soapnut.comHTU UTH essential lavender oil (organically grown*), balm Cedars Cottage, Ixworth Road, Thurston, Bury St additives. Edmunds, IP31 3QE Tel: 01359 232 686 Email: [email protected] UTH Sonett Water Softener

Zeolites, citrate, soda; depending on the hardness of water, add softener to washing powder or liquid

SoapnutT is made from ground up nuts from the soapnutT Sonett Olive Washing Liquid for Wool and Silk tree, Sapindus Trifoliatus - withT nothing else added. Use Machine and hand wash up to 40ºC. Soap from olive and for handT or machine wash or to soak. 2-3 teaspoons in rape seed oil (organic/bio-dynamic), sugar surfactants, your washing machine will replace both detergent and organic lavender essential oil, balm additives. conditioner.

Sonett Laundry Rinse Pure citric acid (food quality). Removes residue of washing agents, softens laundry, and brightens colours.

Sonett Spot Remover Soap Pure soap from palm oil, coconut oil, oxgall and chlorophyll.

Laundry Bleach

Both these products consistT of 100 % sodium percarbonate, which is composed of salt, limestone and

oxygenated water. DuringT the washing process the sodium percarbonate is broken up into oxygen, water

and soda. PercarbonateT canT be used regularly on white laundry as well as for removing stains from colourfast fabrics. May not be suitable for people sensitive to bicarbonate of soda.

EcoverT Laundry Bleach - Can be used at low temperatures Sonett Bleaching Complex - Active from 50ºC

Washing Soda Washing soda (sodium carbonate) is very effective at removing grease and odours. The crystals are much more alkaline than bicarbonate of soda, so be careful when using them. Washing soda can be used in combination with soap flakes to make laundry detergent or mix it with water and use the paste as a natural and effective stain remover. Also softens hard water. Available from hardware stores and most supermarkets in the laundry section, or direct from the manufacturers:

Dri Pak www.dri-pak.co.ukHT TH Furnace Road, Ilkeston, DE7 5EP Tel. 0115 932 5165, Fax: 0115 944 0297

Email: [email protected] TH

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CClleeaanniinngg PPeelllleettss aanndd WWaasshh BBaallllss

These products contain either ceramics or ceramics and magnets in plastic wash balls, often designed to be used in up to 1,000 washes. Some work by ionising the water, while others contain formulas that work in a similar way to detergents. When asked, many manufacturers claim their products contain only ‘activated ceramics’ and refuse to elaborate. However, many hypersensitive people do find they can tolerate them.

Aqua Balls www.21stcenturyhealth.co.uk/aquaball.aspHT TH Tsunami Wave, 1023 K Calle Sombra, San Clemente,CA Twenty First Century Health Ltd, 3 Water Gardens, 92673 Stanmore, Middlesex HA7 3QE. Tel. (USA) (949) 369-8939 Tel: 0800 026 0220. Fax (949) 369-9516

Ingredients: Higher alkyl sulfate, non-ionic surfactant, email: [email protected] TH sodium metasilicate, calcium carbonate, sodium

carbonate. Wonderwash Laundry Ball www.thehealthyhome.comHT TH Dishwasher ball also available from: The Healthy Home, Cleantec Laundry Discs P O Box 249, Keighley, West Yorkshire, BD20 8YN Earthwise Baby, Aspley Distribution Ltd, PO Box 1708, Tel. 07000 336 474

Aspley Guise, Milton Keynes MK17 8YA. Email [email protected] TH Tel: 01908 585769.

Eco Balls Eco-Co Products, Birchwood House, Briar Lane, Croydon Did You Know? CR0 5AD. Tel: 020 8777 3121. Liquid soap makes a good substitute for laundry liquid. Use white vinegar or Sonett’s Citric Acid Laundry Rinse to get rid of soapy residues in the T-Wave cleaning capsules www.tsunamiwave.comHT TH ‘Two types of activated ceramics work in unison with final wash. To make liquid soap, simply add hot magnets to enhance the water's solvency.’ Pack comes water to grated soap. Stir until dissolved. with an enzyme based natural detergent.

AAqquuaa BBaallllss BByy LLaauurraa NNeewwssoommee

I discovered Aqua Balls when a friend recommended them to me as a replacement for traditional washing detergent. Keen on eco-products and willing to experiment, I purchased a set of them from Ebay for £9. Two weeks later a box arrived containing two green, spiny balls full of pellets, with two bags of refills and a tube of stain remover.

On the box the Aqua Balls are described as being an environmentally friendly, hypo-allergenic alternative to laundry detergent. They contain no harsh chemicals, they are antibacterial (certified to destroy E-Coli and Staphylococcus), are biodegradable and non-polluting. Sounds too good to be true? I thought I should find out how these things actually work.

Traditional washing powders contain chemicals called phosphates which activate molecules in water to clean your clothes. These are inevitably washed into drains during the rinsing part of the washing cycle and eventually end up in rivers and lakes. They pollute the water and cause algal blooms which can kill aquatic plants and animals. Not only that, the synthetic chemicals pose a wide range of health risks to the user and are known to irritate sensitive skin.

The Aqua Balls contain ionic salts and crystals which easily dissolve in water and cause the release of ionised oxygen which activates the waters molecules. These activated molecules penetrate deep into the fibres of your clothes lifting dirt away without damaging the fabrics. So the choice is between synthetic chemicals or ionised oxygen to clean your clothes. I know which one I'd prefer, but does it actually work?

After using one my laundry was indeed clean, fresh and soft - just like it promised on the packet. It didn't smell of any fragrance, just fresh and clean. One aquaball is capable of doing 60 washes, making the cost of a wash approximately 6p, less than a quarter of the price of commercial washing powder. They are excellent for my small flat as they are a fraction of the volume of a box of washing powder. So for an economical, convenient and environmentally friendly alternative to washing powder, I'd thoroughly recommend using Aqua Balls!

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DDiirreeccttoorryy ooff SSuupppplliieerrss::

Faith in Nature www.faithinnature.com Sells Clear Spring cleaning products.

FaithT Products Limited,T Unit 2, The Saw Mill, East Street, Bury, BL9 0RU

Tel. 0161T 764 2555 T

Fax: 0161T 762 9129 T

Email: [email protected] TH

Greenfibres www.greenfibres.comHT H Sell the whole range of Sonnet products. Catalogue available.

Greenfibres 99 High Street, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5PF Spirit of Nature www.spiritofnature.co.ukHT TH Tel. 0845 330 3440 Sells laundry balls, ECOS and Bio-D cleaning products. Fax: 01803 868 002 Catalogue available.

Email: [email protected] TH Spirit Of Nature Ltd, Unit 7, Hannah Way, Gordleton Industrial Park, Lymington SO41 8JD

Healthy House www.healthy-house.co.ukH H Tel. 0870 725 9885 Sell variety of allergy-friendly products including steam Fax: 0870 725 9886 cleaners and wash balls. Catalogue available. Email: mail@spiritofnatureHT TH The Old Co-op, Lower Street, Ruscombe, Stroud,

Gloucestershire GL6 6BU Wholesome House www.wholesomehouse.co.ukHT TH Tel. 01453 752216 Mail order supplier of organic/natural products for Fax. 01453 753533 allergy and intolerance. Stock Ecos/ Earth Friendly and

Email: [email protected] H some Ecover and Clear Spring products. Also have a store in Leamington Spa.

Natural Collection www.naturalcollection.comHT TH Head Office, Unit 1, Ely Valley Business Park, Pontyclun, Stock a wide range of cleaning products, including Mid Glamorgan, South Wales, CF72 9DZ brands such as Earth Friendly, Bio-D, Ecover and Clear Tel: 01443 22 55 10 Spring. Also have a range of natural washing up Fax: 01443 22 29 59 brushes. Catalogue available. E-mail: enquiries@ wholesomehouse.co.uk Natural Collection, Camberwell Way, Doxford Technology Park, Sunderland, SR9 9XZ Tel. 0870 331 33 33 MORE INFORMATION Fax. 0870 331 3334

Email: [email protected] TH Greenpeace guide to toxic ingredients in specific laundry products:

www.greenpeace.org.uk/Products/Toxics/affect.cfmHTU UTH

Information about ingredients in commercial cleaning products: http://www.laundry-alternatiHTU ve.com/detergentsinfo.htmlUTH

Chemical Free Shaving By Andy Hilleard

• Open up your pores with hot water.

• Rub in a vegetable oil (grapeseed works well). • Leave the oil on and lather the soap in your hands. Apply • the lather to your face, being careful not to rub off the oil. • Shave as normal. Any moisturising strips in the razor can usually be prised out. • Rinse with hot, then cold water. • Let the skin settle then moisturise with vegetable oils.

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Mercury Toxicity Dairy Intolerance Canaries in the coal Mine I am very ill with mercury toxicity Can anyone recommend some I have been intolerant of artificial and though I no longer have dental nice-tasting alternative to milk? I perfumes for over ten years, and amalgams, I am suffering still to don’t fancy going all through the the problem preceded my this day. However, things lately different brands of soya milk, but I developing M.E/CFS, but has have been extremely bad and I have found Oatly quite nice. It worsened and includes chemicals found an old pamphlet about "old tastes similar to drinking skimmed used in furniture and electronic world grass grains" (wheat, oats, milk as it is very thin, and a products. rice, barley, rye). slightly oatmealy colour. However it does separate in tea and you Although I am careful to avoid Although I was not eating wheat, have to keep stirring it. In coffee using these chemicals myself, it is oats, rye etc, I was eating brown you only need to use half a almost impossible to avoid rice and rice cakes. I decided just spoonful. exposure through their use by for a trial to go off this as well. The other people. During most of the next day that I had been off them, I was also recommended a vitamin daylight hours I am unable to use I noticed flu like symptoms and B supplement, but when reading my garden due to the aching joints. Each day was kind of on the ingredients I was surprised overpowering fumes from my like this and then suddenly I to find a lot of the caps/tablets neighbours' washing lines, and seemed "improved". I have not have sweetener in them. I don’t have to have extractor fans on for heard of anybody being intolerant know if anyone else was aware of extended periods after even brief to rice, so I'm rather confused by this? visits from people (either sex) this but am honestly too scared to wearing artificially-perfumed eat them again. I ate some corn Lorraine Greenham toiletries. I can track the route of chips today which contained Dorset. an artificially-perfumed pedestrian gluten, wheat (I did not realise) from the trail of fumes that they and immediately I started itching Chemical-Free Sofas? leave. in the nose and face and began to My son reacts badly to chemicals. get tired and less motivated. We would like to find a shop which I believe that chemical sensitivities sells sofa's with organic fabrics and are the 'canaries in the coal mine', With the complication of mercury also a wooden dining table and and there have been numerous toxicity, which I have not fully chairs free of chemicals. Would research findings that people who detoxed from by a long shot, I anyone know where I can find that use artificially perfumed products wonder if that might be weakening in the UK? suffer from higher levels of illness. my system and causing me I therefore look forward to the day allergies or intolerances I might Kitty Ingham when exposing other people to not normally have. If I eat grains By email such chemicals is as socially at the moment, my symptoms unacceptable as exposing them to from mercury worsen it seems, so Case Law tobacco smoke. one is kind of offsetting the other. In a judgment of 16 06 95 in the case of five pensioners v. Vivien Pomfrey I am at this time trying to detox Gloucestershire County Council at Cornwall from mercury and hopefully over the High Court in London, Lord Justice Mc Cowan said: "NO time this might make a difference, but in the meantime, it seems I REASONABLE COUNCIL SHOULD may simply have to avoid grains so FAIL TO MEET A PERSON'S Jokes I'm able to cope easier. I definitely NEEDS."

need to keep a list of my The Judge acknowledged that a Is it better to write with symptoms along with the foods I council has to take account of its eat as it's early days yet and I'm your right or left hand? overall budget, but made the Ideally you should be still not certain of this and need to above statement in spite of this. writing with a pen, not a keep monitoring to see what's This may be a useful quote for doing it. Quite possible it was a anyone having difficulty getting hand. coincidence, but somehow I feel home-care, etc. there is a problem (grain wise). What goes “Oooo”?

John Scott A cow with no lips. Rebecca Leech By email New Zealand

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Co-ProxamolT T ME & MCS

NewT research published early on- I'm 30 and have suffered with line in the British Journal of Clinical Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Pharmacology looks as though it (MCS) since getting ME at age 18. may be the 'final nail in the coffin' In some ways the MCS has placed for co-proxamol - a combination as many restrictions on my life as analgesic that some people who the actual ME itself. In the last two have moderate to severe pain find years I have had horrendous very helpful. T problems finding somewhere to live. A chemical free flat, chance

Co-proxamolT has been almost would be a fine thing! But try withdrawn from prescription use telling that to my mum. following concerns earlier in the year about the fact that overdose I'm studying nutrition at the with this drug is far more likely to moment and am very interested in be fatal than with other similar ways you can actually turn the analgesics. In July, government sensitivity situation around. It is health minister Caroline Flint such a debilitating and life stated in parliament that GPs may restricting condition that simply need to continue prescribing co- isn’t appreciated as being such. As proxamol on a named patient basis far as GPs are concerned it simply for the minority of patients who doesn’t exist. ME they kind of SSuuddookkuu have gone through all the accept these days, but people alternatives - which include other need to wake up to MCS. In fact types of paracetamol and opiod there are people with MCS that Answers combinations.But this new don’t have ME. Answers research from Edinburgh, which concluded that 290 deaths could On the plus side there is some be avoided each year by better awareness. The World terminating the prescribing of co- Wildlife Fund has been doing a proxamol, means that any campaign seeking to regulate use relaxation of the restrictions now of chemicals introduced to our seems highly unlikely. T environment.

TheT ME Association is continuing to James monitor the situation regarding co- By email proxamol, and if you have any personal experiences relating to withdrawal of this drug please let me know via email: Joke: [email protected] TH What do you get if you cross a computer with a

DrT Charles Shepherd, shellfish?

MET Association A guided mussel. www.meassociation.org.ukHT TH 27.09.05

Autoimmuni-tea

Dr Stephen Hsu from the Medical college of Georgia, USA, has found that green tea seems to help protect the body from autoimmune disorders where the body’s immune system seems to attack its own tissues. His most recent findings were presented at the Arthritis Foundation’s fifth Conference in Atlanta. The benefits spring from compounds in green tea called polyphenols which help eliminate DNA-damaging free radicals. A polyphenol called EGCG is known to suppress inflammation, which results when the immune system mounts a defence to a real or perceived enemy. As an added benefit, a green tea-induced protein called p57 protects healthy cells while the polyphenols target cancer cells for destruction. Dr Hsu is currently extending his research to find out whether green tea delays the onset of autoimmune disease or otherwise affects its course, which he hopes will help scientists better understand and treat autoimmune diseases.

Medical College of Georgia, June 13, 2005 www.mcg.eduHTU UTH

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“You will never believe what happened last April, honestly you won’t, honest!”

Maria Greenham reviews the best celebrity gossip from the last 6 months…

April allegations? Answers on a postcard You will never believe please.) what happened last April, honestly you Ooooo guess what? Good old won’t, honest! Britney Spears is going to have a baby!!! Yay! Let’s hope it doesn’t It all started when come out singing otherwise we will Jennifer Aniston (you be in trouble! know, the one from friends, she had really Freak or Unique (you decide) pretty hair but a weird Michael Jackson’s court case jaw) and Brad Pitt (the continues, poor bloke, he’s having one that’s... well.. a bit everything thrown at him scrummy!) announced particularly because of that Martin their divorce. Can you Bashir documentary, the one believe it? Hollywood’s where Michael openly said he let ‘perfect’ couple! Anyway young boys sleep with him in his apparently the reason bed. To be honest I’d be peeing was for ‘inconsolable myself if I woke up next to him (no differences’ but as always pun intended, seriously!). the celebrity rumour mill started to work overtime So in a snap shot (well kinda) that (surprise) and sure was the goings on in April. You enough, reports started think it can’t get any better? Oh to spill out in the bucket you just wait! load, mostly about Brad and, co-star at the time Angelina Jolie. (Was Lara Croft in the film Tomb May Raider, has lots of Woah this month was sooo tattoos and swapped exciting, I don’t think I have blood with her ex enough room to mention it all! husband Billy Bob Don’t panic, don’t panic, just Thornton...Yes really!). read it really quick! Rumours had it that the two were an ‘item’ and There’s hope for all those Bridget were getting rather close Jones wannabes out there - she’s to each other on the set got married!!! (That’s Renee of their film Mr & Mrs Zellweger by the way, such a cool Jones. Of course both surname.) Renee has married denied these allegations. country and western singer Kenny (Come to think of it has Chesney (who?) after dating (wait any celebrity ever for it) for only 4 months! The confirmed any couple wed on the Virgin Islands near where Kenny lives. Apparently the ceremony lasted only 15 minutes. Must be love!

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Almost everyone (well, I guess only Tom Cruise (AKA the small actor started to date Jude) split up! Jude those who have nothing better to guy) and Katie Holmes (pretty one confirmed that he had cheated on do), has been glued to the TV this from Dawson's Creek) have Sienna (naughty boy) with his month because Big Brother 6 has announced their engagement. (If children’s nanny (that’s even worse) come back to haunt us. To the you’re thinking you never even knew apparently they had a hefty 3 week particular enjoyment of myself (yes I they were going out well you could passionate affair. am a self confessed Big brother be right, they have only been going fanatic, but hey I didn’t get voted out for 9 weeks!) But as the media “most likely to be in Big Brother” at likes to put a damper on everybody’s September school for no reason), the season happiness they have clamed that the So lastly we come to September. started off fantastically. The first few relationship could all be a ploy to Ooooo I'm welling up already! days have been more explosive than promote both of their new movies. popping candy (isn’t that stuff Tom is currently starring in War of It seems that cheesy boy-band great!). Of course it wouldn’t be the the Worlds and Katie is in the new Westlife were trying to be Boyzone all same if it didn’t have any twists and Batman film. along. Mark Feehily, (that’s so this year it was unlucky housemate unfortunate!) has done a Stephen number 13 Makosi (pronounced Ma Big Brother is getting even better (oh Gatley and admitted he’s gay (must co see) who was the first housemate yes!) 3 new housemates have be a boy band thing) he and his to enter the diary room and was entered the house but, unbeknown to partner have been dating for eight automatically put up for eviction them only 2 can stay, it’s up to one months. (how wude!). Her only way of escape of the original housemates to decide was if she received more nominations who goes. Or stays! Poor gal - Jordan’s little boy Harvey than any other housemate (does that has been admitted to hospital with a make sense?). Other housemates There’s more bad news for our mysterious illness, doctors are not include a white witch complete with Friend’s star Jennifer Aniston. sure what’s up with the little 'un and broomstick, a Turkish male belly Reports claim Angelina is planning to Jordan was said to be keeping a dancer, a political analyst who works adopt a baby girl with Brad. Zahara is bedside vigil whilst he was in hospital for the conservative party and a 70’s only 6 months old and will be the undergoing tests. But, that wasn’t dancer! I knew it would be good! second child Angelina has adopted. the only thing on Jordan’s mind this (You’re not doing anything to help month; she finally got married to Old school rocker Rod Stewart has those rumours guys!) Peter! The couple confirmed their popped the question to long-term vows during a very PINK wedding! It girlfriend and soon to be mother of was, (I’m sure) the wedding of the his child - 7th child to be exact (dear July year. It was all pink (girl after my God will he ever stop?) - Penny I am sorry to say that my time this own heart). Jordan turned up in a Lancaster. month was taken up Cinderella stylee horse and carriage

by...... LIVE 8!! wearing a glittery pink dress (don’t Phew - told you it was a bit crazy I still can’t believe I was able to go! laugh - it actually looked ok!) The didn’t I? But wait… I hear What a day for celebrity spotting: couple then took to the dance floor something.. JUNE! Coldplay, Sir Elton John, Pete for their first dance together. The

Doherty, Dido, Stereophonics, REM, song (I’m sure they spent hours Ms Dynamite, Keane, Travis, Annie deciding what to choose) was a June Lennox, UB40, Snoop Dogg, recording of the two of them singing Unlikely couple Jordan (sorry, Katie Razorlight, Madonna, Snow Patrol, the theme from Aladdin (altogether Price) and Peter André (sorry, that is The Killers, Joss Stone, Scissor now) ‘A Whole New World’ (awwww). in fact his real name) are celebrating Sisters, Velvet Revolver, Sting, Guests included Kerry Katona, Gazza, the birth of their first child together, Mariah Carey, Robbie Williams, The Girls from Atomic Kitten and even Junior. Jordan was forced to have an Who, Pink Floyd, and of Jennie Bond the BBC news person emergency caesarean after course Sir Bob Geldolf. There’s more (random!). complications but apparently mother about my experience on page 2 - and baby are doing fine, although enjoy because I definitely did! And so we come to the end of my Peter is still crying his eyes out with Celebrity Gossip bit, and I’m sure you joy. Junior is a new baby brother for can agree we had a few laffs! Jordan’s other little boy Harvey. Peter August Until next time keep those gossip and Jordan plan to get married in radars on and remember don’t Whoo August time (HOLIDAY!) September (ooooo, should be a believe everything you read until you sight!). read it here! Well not much actually happened this

month so it was quite boring! Main Whatever you were hoping for, story of the month was when Jude Michael Jackson has been found not Law (quite a good actor, but after Chao darlings! guilty. The 4 month trial is said to seeing him in IA (a weird sci-fi film) I have taken its toll on the superstar’s can’t help but keep picturing him xx health and doctors have urged him to being a robot), and Sienna Miller take a rest. (Maybe invite a few (actress that, well to be honest no friends round Michael, they could one really knew much about until she stay over..!) 40 www.chemicalfree.co.uk P P

News and Research::

PT

IT mpact of Low-Dose Toxins in Gulf War Syndrome

Teams of researchers at Wright genetic and biochemical and sarin on activity in the State University School of differences caused by repeated hypothalamic region of the brain, Medicine have been studying exposures to low levels of the but not in the cortex. “This is the subtle effects of chemicals chemicals, and studied how stress significant because it suggests suspected of causing Gulf War modifies the response to toxic mechanisms for toxicity as well as Syndrome. They have found chemicals including the nerve treatment in cases of nerve agent that some of these chemicals agent sarin. exposure,” explains David Cool, do have subtle effects on the Ph.D., associate professor of brain and cardiovascular “We examined the activity of pharmacology and toxicology. system and have also identified enzymes in both chemically biomarkers for both Multiple sensitive and normal control Follow up research will concentrate Chemical Sensitivity (MCS) and populations, using a double blind on the roles of both inherited low-level exposure to the nerve protocol. We found that chemically genes and environmental contacts agent sarin. sensitive individuals generally have which may lead to a diagnostic test lower activity levels than control that could identify chemically Gulf War veterans often suffer a groups. We were able to clearly sensitive people before their variety of symptoms including discriminate between normal and symptoms become overwhelming. headaches, joint pain, fatigue, formaldehyde-sensitive groups and diarrhoea, skin rashes, and between normal and Wright State University School of th dizziness. Evidence led researchers organophosphate-sensitive groups. Medicine, 5P P October 2005,

to suspect veterans might have This information may be useful to www.med.wright.eduHT TH suffered neurological damage from help identify or confirm the some combinations of stress, diagnosis of chemical sensitivity,” exposures to non-lethal doses of explained Gerald Alter, Ph.D., the nerve agent sarin, professor of biochemistry and pyridostigmine bromide (PB) (a molecular biology. medication used to protect against Early published experiments show nerve gas), and/or the insect that stress sensitized rodents to repellent DEET. chemical exposure, and recent data demonstrated that exposure Scientists looked at how stressful to a low dose of sarin—one which conditions in combination with low- produces no detectable level chemical exposures could physiological changes—does damage the body’s systems in produce long term effects on brain ways that had previously eluded and cardiovascular functions. The diagnosis. The teams looked at team also was able to show that animal and human samples for there are acute effects of both PB

Government Acknowledges Gulf War Syndrome

A pensions appeal tribunal in result of a combination of causes servicemen and women who Central London is hearing the case including multiple injections of became seriously ill after the 1991 of a former guardsman aged 35 vaccines, low-level exposure to Gulf War. In a letter to Prime who suffers from asthma, anxiety nerve gas, and the inhalation of Minister Tony Blair, the Bishops and memory problems. The depleted uranium dust. The final said: "It seems to us that Lord tribunal has already decided the report headed by Lord Anthony Lloyd's inquiry has demonstrated illnesses were caused by his time Lloyd of Berwick acknowledged that the illnesses which have in service, and a lawyer that more research was needed, resulted from the Gulf War are not representing Defence Secretary but stated that after years of some figment of anyone's John Reid accepted a “loose” official doubt, there was no reason imagination but have a terrifying definition of the term Gulf War for the Government not to accept reality - one that should be Syndrome, as a label to signify the that the illnesses were a result of recognised by the Government so underlying connection with Gulf service in the war. that adequate compensation can War and illness. be given to the victims and In addition, six Bishops from families affected." They added: An independent enquiry published across the United Kingdom are "The failure to recognise their last year said illnesses suffered by calling on the government to veterans were likely to be the compensate thousands of (Continued on page 45)

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CChheessttnnuuttss

Sweet chestnuts (Castanea sativa) are abundant at this time of year, with organic, wild and processed varieties available. According to Peter Thomson in Gluten-Free Cookery, sweet chestnuts only contain 2% protein but have the highest sugar content of any nuts. They are a good source of potassium, calcium and magnesium and have small amounts of B group vitamins.

Not to be confused with horse chestnut conkers (which are NOT edible), sweet chestnuts begin to fall from the trees in late October, housed in spiny green cases, similar to those of the conker tree. Dried chestnuts, flour, puree and chestnut meal can be found in many health food shops all year round.

According to Richard Mabey in Food For Free, once shelled and peeled, the nuts can be eaten raw, although they are a lot sweeter when roasted. They can also be pickled, boiled, dried, stewed and eaten whole or ground into flour and used in soups, stews, pancakes, bread, and cakes. Tinned puree is reputedly an excellent substitute for chestnut flour.

If the nuts are very dry they should be soaked overnight before use.

TO SHELL CHESTNUTS Place chestnuts into a bowl of water and discard any that float. Boil a handful of nuts in a saucepan of water for 2 minutes. Take out the nuts one at a time and shell by cutting widthways and popping out the two halves. The bitter pith should be left in the shell. Repeat until all the nuts have been boiled and shelled. Cook or dry as required.

COOKING GUIDELINES The most important step is to cut the shell to prevent the nut exploding while cooking. Some people cut a slit across the face of the nut, others cut a cross into the flat-end. Wrap the cooked chestnuts in a tea-towel and remove outer shell and inner skin while still warm (they're difficult to peel once cooled).

• To bake: Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F or Gas Mark 6). Pierce skin, then place chestnuts onto a baking tray and bake for 15-20 minutes or until shell splits. • To microwave: Pierce skin then place chestnuts in a single layer on a microwave-safe plate. Cook, uncovered, on high heat for 4-6 minutes or until flesh is tender. • To roast, grill or barbeque: Pierce skin, then cook, turning occasionally, in a pan over medium heat for 20-30 minutes or until shell splits. • To boil (if using to puree): Place chestnuts into a pan of cold water, bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until flesh is tender.

CHESTNUT FLOUR Shell a quantity of nuts as above. Cut into small pieces and space out onto a baking tray. Bake in the oven at 50°C (120°F or lowest gas setting) with the door of the oven left open. Leave for 2-3 hours before turning/ moving the chestnuts around to ensure even drying. Depending on the oven and the size of the chestnut pieces, the drying process can take 6-10 hours. When dry, grind down into flour using a coffee grinder or food processor. Store the flour in sealed bags or glass jars in a cool dry place. Will keep for a year if stored in the freezer. Storing in the freezer also slows down mould growth – ideal for people with yeast/ mould sensitivities.

RAW CHESTNUT FLOUR Collect young chestnuts and store them in a warm, dry well-ventilated room for a couple of months. Shell and grind down as finely as possible in a food processor or coffee grinder.

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Recipes Recipes

CHESTNUTT

BISCOTTIT CHESTNUT PORRIDGE

Probably the fastest and easiest chestnut recipe around! 1½ cups / 350g

sugar ¾ cup / 100g sweet chestnut flour or meal ½ cup / 110g softened butter Hot water 3 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla Add the water to the flour a little at a time and stir well. ½ tsp salt Leave for a minute or so to give the flour time to absorb 1 tsp baking powder the water. Add more water until a porridge consistency 12oz / 350g shelled chestnuts (1lb / 450g if fresh in the is obtained. Eat while crunchy or leave for 10 minutes to shell) soften. 2 cups / 200g plain flour

2 oz / 50g dried blueberries (optional)

CHESTNUT BISCUITS Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F or Gas Mark 4). Process ¾ cup / 100g sweet chestnut flour or meal the chestnuts in a food processor until fine and set 3 tsps oil aside. Mix first 6 ingredients well. Add baking powder, Approx. 6 tbsps water (90ml) chestnuts and flour. Mix well. Stir in the dried

blueberries. Remove from bowl and form 2 balls. Flour Mix the oil and water together, then stir into the flour. a cutting board and shape into 2 loaves about 25cm x Add more water if necessary to make into a pliable 7.5cm x 2cm thick. Lift off onto a baking sheet. Bake dough. Break off small pieces about the size of golf 40 minutes. Remove and allow to cool for 30 minutes balls, and flatten into biscuit shapes. Place on a more. Slice into 2cm slices. Stand them on end on the greased/ non-stick baking tray. Bake 180°C for 12 baking sheet. (You may want to sprinkle them with a minutes, then turn them over very gently to avoid cinnamon/sugar combination.) Bake at 170°C (325°F or breaking. Bake for another 12 – 15 minutes. Cool before gas Mark 3) for another 15 minutes. Turn the oven off eating. Biscuits should still be slightly soft like cookies. and allow to cool in the oven. Makes approx. 12 biscuits.

CHESTNUTT PUREE

(Sweetened) T 4½oz / 125g chestnut flour ¼ cup / 60ml double cream 1 tbsp powdered sugar 1 tsp vanilla 5/8 cup / 145ml water

Combine ingredients in a blender. Blend until perfectly smooth. Use in recipes as directed.

CHESTNUT PUREE Chestnuts Stock or water

Shell and peel the chestnuts, then boil them in a thin stock for about 40 minutes. Stain off the liquid then rub the nuts through a sieve or process them in a liquidiser. The resulting puree can be seasoned and used as a substitute for potatoes, or as the basis of a stuffing, soup or pudding.

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CHESTNUT PANCAKES CHESTNUT AND LENTIL SOUP 1 cup / 250g chestnut flour or meal 500 g lentils ½ cup / 145g amaranth flour 25 - 30 chestnuts ½ cup / 60g arrowroot Ground black pepper 1½ tsp baking soda 5 bay leaves 1½ tsp cinnamon ½ cup extra virgin olive oil 1½ cup warm water 125 g streaky bacon, chopped 3 tbsp canola oil 1 teaspoon dried marjoram 2 tbsp maple syrup or honey 3 tablespoons dried basil (or chopped fresh basil) 2 tbsp lemon juice 3 tablespoons tomato paste Freshly grated Parmesan cheese In a large bowl, combine the flours, Soak the lentils in enough water to cover them for 12 soda and cinnamon. hours. Drain. Prepare the chestnuts to the point of In a small bowl readiness for cooking (soak if dried, roast and peel if combine the water, fresh) Boil until soft (about 20 minutes) and crush into oil, syrup (or honey) small chunky pieces. and lemon juice. Stir Place the lentils in a medium pot and fill it with cold into the flour water to about 4 times the volume of the lentils. Add 1 mixture. Pour 1/3 teaspoon pepper and the bay leaves. Cover and bring to cup at a time onto a boil then simmer until the lentils are tender. Turn off hot griddle. Cook until brown on each side. Makes 8 heat and remove the bay leaves. Keep the pot covered. 12cm pancakes. These can be frozen and heated in a Heat 1/3 of the oil in a small pan and sauté the meat. microwave for later use if desired. Add marjoram, basil, chestnuts and the tomato paste dissolved in ½ a cup of the lentil water. Stir well and cook until the sauce is thick. Reheat the lentils, add the sauce and cook over a CHESTNUT FLOUR CAKE (Castagnaccio) moderate heat for 1 hour. 115 g sultanas The secret of many Italian soups is in the serving: in this 450 g chestnut flour, sieved case pour the soup over a bed of toasted bread in ½ teaspoon salt individual bowls. Pour 1 tablespoon of oil into each cold water serving and offer grated fresh Parmesan cheese for olive oil garnish. 1 tablespoon caraway seeds Lentils are quite dry in texture and the addition of extra 3 tablespoons pine nuts virgin olive oil to the soup moistens and heightens the ½ tablespoon dried rosemary flavour.

Cover sultanas with cold water and leave to soak for 15 minutes, drain and dry. Mix together the chestnut flour, salt and stir in enough cold water to make a batter which is slightly thicker than pancake batter. Oil a shallow cake tin and pour in the batter, smooth it with a spoon, then scatter over the caraway seeds, pine nuts, rosemary and sultanas. Drizzle a little more oil over the top and bake in a moderately hot oven 190° C (375°F or gas Mark 5) for 10-15 minutes or until the surface is crispy. Serve warm or cold.

CHESTNUT AND VEGETABLE SOUP 250 g peeled chestnuts 1.5 litre stock (beef, vegetable or chicken) 2 leeks 2 carrots 2 onions 2 parsnips 2 sticks celery

Sauté chopped vegetables and chestnuts in butter until lightly browned, add 1.5 litre of stock, simmer for one NB. Where converted, metric measurements have been hour, season to taste. rounded up or down for convenience.

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(Government acknowledges GWS Continued from page 41) the over 6,000 British veterans of the Gulf War who are now in condition officially adds to their broken health and the widows of distress. We ask Her Majesty's those afflicted who have since Government to take urgent action died.” to bring this unhappy state of Report: September 2005 affairs to a satisfactory conclusion." For more information about The November 2004 Lloyd report on Gulf Their intervention was welcomed War Illness visit: by the Labour peer Lord Morris of www.lloyd-gwii.com/ Manchester - the parliamentary For other reports and articles contact adviser to the Royal British Legion The National Gulf Veterans and Families Association: Offices 58-60, and a long-time campaigner on The Pavilion, 536 Hall Road, behalf of the Gulf veterans. “This Hull HU6 9BS new and important initiative merits Tel. (01482) 808730 during office an urgent and positive response,” hours.

he said. “Meanwhile it will hearten Website: www.ngvfa.com/HT TH

NNeewwss UUppddaattee

Ex-soldier Daniel Martin, 35 from Luton, Bedfordshire has won his case to be awarded a disability pension for Gulf War Syndrome (GWS). The Pensions Appeal Tribunal (PAT) said GWS could be used as an "umbrella term" to cover the ailments suffered by Mr Martin.

The National Gulf Veterans and regrettable that there was such a indicate that GWS exists as a Families Association said that of delay in the Ministry of Defence discreet pathological [disease the 7,500 veterans who have accepting this approach." causing] entity. It refers to a broad made a claim for a disablement range of symptoms." pension, 1,500 have claimed GWS, An independent inquiry last year Professor Malcolm Hooper, chief and only two cases had been heard said Gulf War Syndrome did exist scientific adviser to Gulf War so far. Mr Martin’s solicitor, Mark and that soldiers who served in the veterans, said: "The important McGhee, said: "This is a landmark Gulf were twice as likely to be sick thing is that the MoD have ruling. It is the definitive case on than those who served elsewhere. conceded the label of GWS - Gulf War Syndrome to date, and The inquiry report said illnesses although not as a specific disease this is going to have massive suffered by veterans were likely to entity. It means we're playing with implications for hundreds of Gulf be due to a combination of causes. semantics." He said he now hoped War veterans, who clearly suffer These included multiple injections that other veterans making similar from Gulf War Syndrome." of vaccines, the use of claims would have their cases organophosphate pesticides to settled swiftly. "If there's any The tribunal, which hears appeals spray tents, low level exposure to justice at all, that's what will from ex-service staff who have had nerve gas, and the inhalation of happen. The case for GWS has their claims for a war pension depleted uranium dust. However, now been made unambiguously rejected by the secretary of state the MoD dismissed the findings, and unequivocally in duplicate." for defence, agreed with Lord maintaining that the illnesses Lloyd's previous inquiry in 2003 suffered by veterans are so varied To read the Ministry of Defence’s which found that "veterans of the there can be no distinct syndrome statement on Gulf Veteran’s Illnesses Gulf War later developed an excess or a specific cause. The MoD said it visit: www.mod.uk/issues/gulfwar/HT TH

of symptomatic ill-health over and was considering the tribunal's If you have any questions about the above that to be expected in the judgement, and would not Government's policy on 1990/1991 normal course of events" and comment on how the case could Gulf veterans, please contact the "there is a Gulf War health effect". affect those of other ex- Veterans Policy Unit Gulf Veterans' servicemen and women. A Illnesses, Ministry of Defence Main The tribunal said: "The term Gulf spokeswoman added: "We Building, 7'th Floor Zone H, Whitehall, War Syndrome is the appropriate welcome the tribunal's decisions London SW1A 2HB medical label to be attached to this concerning the main issue which Tel. 0800 169 4495 Fax: 0207 218 1482 excess of symptoms and a useful was placed before it. There is Email: [email protected] H umbrella for that label. It is highly insufficient reliable evidence to

The Government encourages any Gulf veteran who believes that his or her health has been adversely affected by service in the Gulf to get in touch with the Veterans Agency (VA). The VA is an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence and administers the War Pension Scheme (WPS) which applies to all those who have served in the UK forces. It has taken over the role of the War Pensions Agency:

Veterans Agency, Norcross, Blackpool, Lancashire FY5 4WP. Tel. 0800T 169 22 77 Email:T help@veteransageH ncy.gov.gsi.ukH

45 MCAFI Magazine October 2005 P

NNeeeedd TToo TTaallkk TToo SSoommeeoonnee WWhhoo UUnnddeerrssttaannddss??

Give Allergy UK A Call!

Over the years, Allergy UK’s telephone imagined and as the telephone helpline continues, the helpline has provided an invaluable service scale of the problem is becoming more apparent. for countless numbers of allergy sufferers seeking information and advice. In response “We get callers of all ages, from young people right through to 60 and 70 year olds who were exposed to to increasing demand, a dedicated Chemical chemicals years ago and whose health has gone Sensitivity Division was set up 3 years ago gradually downhill ever since. We get an increasing specifically to deal with queries from an ever- number of M.E. sufferers who on questioning, realise growing number of chemical sensitivity their chemical sensitivity preceded symptoms of M.E. We sufferers. also get a lot of nurses who have been exposed to chemicals in the workplace – things like gluteraldehyde A dedicated staff led by Lindsey McManus has been which although now banned, was used extensively for given expert training by one of the country’s leading disinfecting instruments on the wards and in operating MCS nurses John Collard, who previously theatres. Gluteraldehyde is a known sensitizer worked at the Airedale MCS Clinic in Callers often say: for asthma, but it’s now becoming apparent Yorkshire. Although the Airedale centre is ‘You’re the first person that it can trigger chemical sensitivity too.” now closed, John continues to pass on I’ve spoken to who his advice and expertise through the The Future really understands Allergy UK team. Lindsey explains, “On Never content to stand still, Allergy UK are average we get 10 – 15 calls a day what I’m talking already planning a Chemical Sensitivity specifically about chemical sensitivity, about.’ st Awareness Day for February 21P P 2006 (more more if there’s been an article in the details in the New Year), and in response to press. Increasingly we’re finding people ringing up with the growing demand for information and practical what they believe to be allergy related problems, which support, Allergy UK’s Chemical Sensitivity Division is in on questioning we find are actually chemical the process of setting up a product endorsement scheme sensitivities. similar to their highly successful allergy one.

“Calls can be up to an hour long as we’ve generally got to explain everything from the beginning, find out what the caller has been exposed to, if their job affects them, explain what the illness is and give practical advice. It’s not unusual for callers to get very emotional as there is such a lack of support for the illness. Even some doctors in the allergy profession remain sceptical that the illness exists. When this happens our main job is to help the callers to empower themselves, motivating them to manage their own illness, and supplying lists of doctors specialising in environmental health. A lot of the advice we give is self-taught from years of experience, however we also learn a lot from callers who have become experts in managing their illness themselves.”

Aside from counselling, the Allergy UK team give callers practical advice on removing chemicals from the home and boosting the immune system. For those with mild symptoms this can be enough to completely turn their situation around. For those who are badly affected the team can provide a list of suitable specialists registered with the British Society for Ecological Medicine. Judith and Lyndsey at Allergy UK

Typical Callers “MCS is such an individual illness, we can’t recommend It is becoming increasingly apparent that chemical specific products that are going be suitable for every sensitivity is affecting many more people than previously chemical sensitivity sufferer. Instead the endorsement 46 www.chemicalfree.co.uk P P

scheme will provide guidelines for products that are likely to be suitable.” MCS and Allergy

And for those people who already have a mountain of Recent Japanese research sought to investigate the link unhelpful products in their home, Lyndsey has a simple between allergy and MCS. Participants were selected solution: “Ask companies to send you a sample of their from a group of people suffering from possible MCS. Out product first – they can only say no!” of the group studied, 84% had a history and/or a complication of allergic diseases, which was a much higher percentage than in the Japanese population generally.

The study concluded that allergic reactions are not the mechanism that causes MCS, however patients with The Chemical Sensitivity Helpline is staffed allergic illnesses may be more prone to suffer form weekdays 9am – 5 pm chemical sensitivity and in turn, MCS may also Tel. 01322 619898 exacerbate symptoms of allergic diseases.

For more information visit: Clinical aspects of patients with MCS - from the

www.allergyuk.orgHT TH standpoint of allergy.

3 White Oak Square, London Road, Swanley, Kent HasegawaHT M,TH HTOhtomo M,TH MitaHT H,TH AkiyamaHT K.TH Arerugi. 2005 May;54(5):478-84. BR8 7AG

MMCCAAFFII

Magazine

Is the only UK magazine for Multiple Chemical and Food Intolerance

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IItt’’ss eeaassyy ttoo ssuubbssccrriibbee!!

Simply send your name, address, preferred format and a cheque for £10 payable to Chemical Free Ltd to: MCAFI, 29 Kipling Close, Hitchin, Herts. SG4 0DU

Or why not join the Support Group? The MCAFI Support Group offers practical information; support and coping strategies; lists of practitioners and chemical-free products; the Chemical Free Newsletter on paper; contact with other members in your area; the MCAFI Magazine twice a year. All for £10 subscription fee. Interested? For more details write to the address above enclosing a large SAE, or visit our website: www.chemicalfree.co.uk

MCAFI and Chemical Free.co.uj are trade names of Chemical Free Ltd. Registered in England and Wales at the address above. Company No. 05455709 47 MCAFI Magazine October 2005

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