Chemical sensitivity has been observed in at least four different clusters of chemically exposed people:

The need for an operational definition of chemical sensitivity relying on the concept of environmental control in an environmental unit is regarded as essential to unraveling the complex causes and effects of exposure to chemicals at low levels. Distinctions need to be made between sensitizing events and subsequent triggering of symptoms. Possible mechanisms and therapies are discussed. Recommendations for a national research initiative are presented.

Emphasizes the interactional affects of mind/body in relationship to both external and internal stressors both of the healing and disease process. A discussion of classical conditioning as a learning paradigm for psychological factors influence on physical response patterns. Conditioning may be deliberate or accidental, but it has far-reaching affects, e.g., the affect on immune parameters, both positive and negative. An expanded interpretation of the placebo affect will also be presented.

Talk to include: construction details and suggestions about forming a new environmental unit.

High levels of indoor radon found particularly in energy-saving homes and buildings have caused serious concern in respect to their public health hazard. Recent estimates by the EPA state that the exposure of millions of Americans to higher than permissible levels of radon may be responsible for as many as 10,000-30,000 lung cancer deaths per year. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas that emanates from the soil and ground water into the homes and buildings. The health hazard of radon arises from its production of a chain of radioactive isotopes called radon daughters. Indoors, they can reach large concentrations due to inadequate air exchange. Upon inhalation, the readon daughters can lodge in the lungs and expose the lung tissue to energetic alpha particles, thereby substantially increasing the risk of lung cancer.

It is quite natural that we pay attention to the quality and quantity of foods and drinks of our health. We know well we should try to eat fresh eggs or vegetables, fresh fish or meats, and we should avoid eating putrefied foods. The most important problem is, however, to investigate how the materials ingested are metabolized in our GI tract. If our feces or final metabolites of them are of disgusting property, those materials should be putrefied by intestinal flora, in spite of our efforts to eat nonputrefied foods.

We should know that the putrefied metabolites with disgusting odor such as hydrogen sulfides, indoles, phenol, ammonias and various amines, like histamines or nitrosamines, should bring about a number of diseases.

We must realize that the constituent of metabolites being transferred from GI tract to the liver through the portal vein may have decisive influences on the liver function as well as on the metabolism of the whole body.

I wish to emphasize the meaning of the role of prehepatic organs or intestinal flora and the importance of introduction of the concept of prehapatic medicine, which should inevitably lead us to reconsider the concept of the present medical science.

Decline in metabolism may result from vitamin, mineral, and trace element deficiencies or even from environmental toxins.

Emphasis is put on rigorous anamnestic, clinical, and biological evaluation for detection.

Replacement treatment for deficiencies is advocated in physiological doses. Adequate food intake is recommended, although not always sufficient as a preventive therapy.

The presence of toxics can lead to inefficiency of medical treatment if the toxics are not removed.

The underlying biochemical disturbances in metabolism are approached.

It is well-known that chemically sensitive patients have the symptoms of autonomic nervous system dysfunction after they are exposed to pesticides or chemical solvents. However, no objective studies have been done to address the change of the autonomic nervous system in chemically sensitive patients. We evaluated the autonomic nerve function using open loop pupillography in 43 chemically sensitive patients, proven either by intradermal or inhaled challenge, under environmentally controlled conditions, and 18 controls. Of 43 patients, 20 had organochlorine pesticides in their blood, and 23 had chemical solvents (aliphatic and aromatic) in their blood. The significant differences of autonomic nervous system function were seen in velocity of constriction and dilation time in the chemical solvents patients group, compared to the control group. In the pesticide patients group, the significant differences were seen, not only in the velocity of constriction and dilation time, but also pupil area and velocity of dilation. These results showed that the patients with chemical sensitivity usually had deregulation of their autonomic nervous system. The pupillary abnormalities, which were seen in 33 of 43 chemically sensitive patients by pupillographical examination, as compared to a control group. When analyzing the type of autonomic nerve disturbance in the patients, the inhibitory (sympatholytic) type of autonomic nervous system function was seen in 21 of 33 patients while cholinergic changes were seen in nine patients. This present pupillographical study suggests that there is autonomic nervous system dysfunction in chemically sensitive patients, and their dysfunction can be accurately measured under environmentally controlled conditions.

Until recently male gonads were considered to function adequately many years beyond the age of female gonadal failure of menopause. That this seems not to be the case in many men has been recently deocumented by Dr. Bebled (Paris) and confirmed by the authors and other physicians. On the contrary, in many men, and even from the 35th year of life, testosterone production and peripheral tissue utilization decrease steadily, causing sexual and overall systemic aging. Further anabolic steroid failure is aggravated in several of these men by diminished adrenal androgen production as shown by severe decrease of 17-Ketosteroid fractions in 24- hr urine.

Deficiency of the male hormone has pronounced damaging effects in men. Clinical and biochemical evaluation of androgen condition in men deserves great consideration as early replacement therapy inverses the catabolic condition created by the lack of sufficient anabolic androgen hormones and helps to restore maletonic activity.

The multiple deficinecy syndrome (MDS) applies to patients presenting a hypometabolic state caused by simultaneous occurrence of several hormonal, vitamin, mineral, and trace element deficiencies. These deficiencies are often borderline in tests, and thus not rarely undiagnosed and untreated, although their symptomatology may be rich.

The MDS is exposed in its possible causes, clinical and biological aspects, frequency, and treatment.

These various deficiencies cause metabolic imbalances in the body, the internal environment. An approach is made to understand the link between deficiencies, disturbance in metabolis,m and clinical expression of the MDS.

Near triad of the eye consists of three responses, i.e., accomodation, pupil consriction, and convergence. We have reported possible involvement of the near triad among the Visual Display Terminal (VDT) workers who work more than 20 hrs per week.

In this study, we have selected professional VDT workers (24 with the mean age of 27.4 yrs) and hard copy workers (26 with the mean age of 25.8 yrs). Both subjects complained of severe eyestrain and general fatigue after the work. Routine ophthalmological and general examination could not find positive signs from both groups. The function of the near triad, however, showed a difference in both groups. Abnormal function of either accommodation or pupil reaction was seen in both VDT and hard copy workers, but the rate of detection was significantly higher in the VDT group.

VDT work may be overloaded by abnormal parasympathetic or sympathetic tone. Preliminary results by animal study will be presented together with clinical study.

The use of phophorous-based chemicals to control insect pests in agriculture and the home has markedly increased in recent years. Common examples include diazinon. Pesticides, as a class, have biological half-lives of hours to weeks, depending on the chemical structure of the compound and the physiological and health status of the exposed individual. Because these pesticides yield only a few common metabolites, the measurement of these metabolites in urine offers a mechanism to establish exposure. The metabolism and methods of measurement will be discussed along with exposure case studies.

An unknown virus was isolated from a primary tissue culture of a renal cell carcinoma patient. Its cytopathic effect showed to be a characteristic foamy-like vacuole. Under electron microscope, the unknown virus was found in the cytoplasm. It was found to be spherical and enveloped, 100 nm in diameter and budding from the cell membrane. Preliminary identification indicated that it might be a member of the foamy virus of spumaviridinae subfamily in retroviridae. It appears that this unknown virus is of oncogenetic nature.

Scientists are exposed to a variety of toxic chemicals in their work environment at much higher levels than would be found in most environmental situations. When the ventilation and building construction are inadequate to correct for the high exposure levels, severe illness may occur even to the point of total incapacitation. Toluene is one such toxic chemical. Toluene, a lipophilic solvent, produces a multitude of effects in the body. Tyrosine and tryptophan, as well as possibly many other amino acids, are decreased. Prolactin is elevated, and there may be a number of endocrinological abnormalities. Sleep disturances are a complicating factor in recovery. Unfortunately, when an individual is overcome by one chemical, a multitude of chemical sensitivities usually ensues, and the time course for recovery may take years.

Case report illustrating these symptoms will be discussed.

Those results suggested that there was a strong relationship between environmentally spread pesticides as well as herbicides onto the allergic conjunctivitis.

In the past 17 years, we have treated over 20,000 chemically sensitive patients. Of these, over 7,000 were fasted to lessen their total load, with no deaths or serious complications. Over 17,000 patients have been placed on rotary diet. Over 64,000 oral food challenges and over 1,800,000 intradermal skin tests for foods, chemicals, and inhalants have been performed. Skin testing and treatment procedures have been demonstrated to be safe, with no fatalities or life-threatening or intensive care for inpatients. Over 10,000,000 treatment injections have been given by patients at home, without a fatality or severe enough reaction to require hospitalization. Over 17,000 homes have been modified to varying degrees to help patients have a safer environment.

The author will present follow-up study data, showing that 90% of the patients have had improvement in their health problems. Other information on incidence of use of antigens, rotation diet, supplementation, immune enhancement, and heat-chamber detoxification will be presented.

Over the past several years, there has been growing awareness of the problem of electromagnetic sensitivity to computer terminals, power lines, and a host of other EMF sources. Systematic evaluation of these patients has been difficult. Some invetigators have ignored food and chemical problems, yielding imprecise results. No areas are totally safe from EMF fields, with city rooms ranging from 25 to 700 nanotesla. We have developed consistent methods of evaluating EMF patients and found that some patients are too fragile for immediate repeat exposures. The double-blind studies can be spaced a week apart to obtain accurate data. We have studied 85 patients, 60 of whom were found to be sensitive, ranging from 0.1 Hz to 5 MHz, using an EM generator. Twenty-five patients have double-blind challenges and showed specific reactions to several frequencies. Iriscorder changes were seen on repeat double-blind challenges on ten patients. It is apparent from these studies that the presence of EMF sensitivity can be demonstrated under the right conditions.

Since magnesium deficiency is reported to be the most commonly unrecognized cation deficiency in current medicine, with no blood test that will unequivocally rule it out, we devised an oral magnesium loading test (MLT). Of 100 randomly selected patients, over 51% reported marked improvement in symptoms.

Of the positive responders, 70% of the improved symptoms were referable to the central and peripheral nervous system. An increase in energy was reported in 50%, improved musculoskeletal symptoms in 38%, and additional improvement was noted in asthma (18%), irritable bowel (14%), cardiac arrhythmias (8%), dental (6%), and urinary bladder symptoms (4%).

Because magnesium is crucial in over 300 enzymes, it is not surprising that there was a wide range of reported symptom improvement. In fact, well over 50 symptoms were reported improved. More importantly, from our standpoint, over 9% of the patients reported marked diminution in chemical and/or food sensitivity after the test. Clearly, the MLT appears beneficial enough to warrant investigating in all patients who have symptoms that either resist current treatments or that would require long-term medications for control.

A review of 53 cases with a major presenting diagnosis of hypertension will be presented, with comparison to both healthy volunteer and MS controls. All these patients were taking medication for blood pressure upon arrival at the Environmental Health Center-Dallas, and after follow-up, only 85 needed blood pressure medication. Readings before and after comprehensive environmental treatment showed substantial reductions that were highly significant (p<0.0001).

Comparison analysis of the numbers and levels of toxic blood chemicals showed statistically higher levels in the hypertensive group compared to the other groups. Positive skin sensitivity to terpenes was much more frequent in the hypertensive group than controls (p<0.01).

Other data, including cholesterol levels, immune parameters, and RBC minerals, showed statistically significant results.

The terapeutic use of magnesium supplementation will be discussed, and a treatment protocol presented.

In addition to the diagnosis of food allergies as a cause of chronic inflammatory bowel disease, we have used immunological and micrbiological methods to characterize and treat those illnesses. Test results showed a high antibody-agglutination titer against intestinal E. Coli strains. After an exact classification of the particular E. Coli strain with monoclonal antibodies, the strain is cultivated and a serum for autovaccination prepared. For treatment of intestinal dysbiosis or Candida infection we have successfully given patients prenylamine lactate. The positive side effect of this now obsolete coronary medication is, in our opinion, a major indication for its use. Prenylamine lactate works as an antibiotic and fungicide without inducing resistance and without destroying the intestinal flora, two undesirable effects of conventional antibiotic therapy.

While oil-soaked sea otters and blackened bald eagles make compelling TV pictures, the real issue may be the human health consequences. Over 10,000 persons were employed for several months in some of the harshest working conditions on earth and trying to clean up an admittedly toxic substance. While human nature demands that someone cleans up the mess, the reality is that we have only made matters worse.

According to the basic principles of environmental control and in the light of specific conditions of our country, we set up the first simple environmental control unit (ECU) in China. The air-filter system of the ECU is able to eliminate inhalant allergens. The walls were laid with ceramic tiles, so it can be cleaned easily and throroughly. Checking up with air sample trap, we found that the amount of molds, pollens, house dust particles as well as chemicals were markedly reduced than those of ordinary wards. Most of occupational asthma have satisfactorily curative effect under the ECU treatment. Lung function and methacholine challenge tests were done on ten asthmatics before admission and two to four weeks after ECU treatment. The results revealed that the ventilatory function of the patients was markedly improved after ECU treatment, while the airway hyperreactivity improved in varying degrees as well.

To avoid contact with allergens is one of the basic principles for treatment of allergic diseases. According to the basic principle of environmental control and in the light of specific conditions of our country, we have set up a modified environmental control unit. The filter system of the ECU is able to eliminate inhalant allergens. The wall of the unit is laid with glazed tile, so it can be cleaned with water easily. Through checking up of dish-exposure and slide-exposure, the amount of molds, pollens as well as house dust are evidently lower than that of ordinary wards. Methacholine challenge was done on ten asthmatics before admission and two weeks after treatment in the ECU. The result reveals that the ECU is able to reduce airway hyperreactivity of the patients.