a request of my neighbors who like pesticides

[Guest guest]

September 2, 2004

To Whom It May Concern:

I am writing this to explain a medical problem that I have that you can

assist me with. I have been diagnosed with MCS (Multiple Chemical

Sensitivities),

among other things from my exposure to mold in two schools I recently worked

in. As a result of this and my related lung disorder, I am considered

disabled and will not be returning to teaching. If you wish to read about these

things, see my website at _www.schoolmoldhelp.org_

(http://www.schoolmoldhelp.org/) and read the About page and the Real

Testimonies page – About the Author.

Having MCS means that when I am around chemicals – even daily ones that most

people use without giving them a single thought, these can trigger

inflammatory reactions in my body, creating a lupus-like condition that is both

painful and can give me trouble breathing. It is progressive if I continue to be

exposed to chemicals (inside and outside) and/or molds (in buildings).

Several of the things that are high on the list to avoid completely are

pesticides and herbicides. This is extremely dangerous for my medical condition.

Therefore, I must ask all of the neighbors if they would consider not using

spray pesticides or products like Roundup. The prevailing winds bring those

sprays to our home and at times, I can smell them and react to them when they

are used. Even if they were used when I was not present, they are potentially

damaging to me.

Another thing is roofing tar. If you will roof your house, please tell me so

I can arrange to be away for a few days.

Some people with my illness have to move away to the mountains or desert to

get away from chemicals because these are so widely used and are viewed as

harmless in our society.

I know how annoying weeds or ants can be – even fleas, but there are ways to

get them, with bait, etc., rather than spraying – it is the aerosols in

particular that are harmful, though anything in excess would be considered so.

I have to avoid most buildings now and have only my home and outside to be

in. I must try to make that as “safe†as possible.

If you want more information on MCS, it can be found on the web, just read

any of the following:

Health Risks of Common Chemicals

* _Books by Dr. Kaye Kilburn _ (http://www.neuro-test.com/Books.htm)

Dr. Kaye Kilburn is a researcher and educator with outstanding credentials.

" Chemical Brain Injury " and " Endangered Brains " are two books worth reading!

Dr. Kaye Kilburn M.D., Ralph Edgington Professor of Medicine USC (University

of Southern California) Keck School of Medicine, Environmental Sciences

Laboratory, Alhambra, California

* _Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Under Siege _

(http://users.lmi.net/~wilworks/ehnlinx/mcssiege.htm)

Multiple Chemical Sensitivities Under Siege, Ann Mc, M.D.

* _Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes _

(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0471292400/qid=1093304100/sr=1)

Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes, Ashford and

, M.D.

* _Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Survival Guide _

(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/157224173X/ref=pd_sim_books_1/)

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Survival Guide, Pamela Gibson, Ph.D.

* _Casualties of Progress: Personal Histories from the Chemically

Sensitive _

(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0967561906/ref=pd_sim_books_2/)

Casualties of Progress: Personal Histories from the Chemically Sensitive,

Alison , Editor

* _Toxic Deception: How the Chemical Industry Manipulates Science,

Bends the Law, and Endangers Your Health _

(http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/1567511627/002-6693715-9991255)

Toxic Deception: How the Chemical Industry Manipulates Science, Bends the

Law, and Endangers Your Health, Dan Fagin and nne Lavelle. A two-year

project of the Center for Public Integrity exposes the tactics of the chemical

industry and complicity of lawmakers and government regulators.

* _Human Toxic Body Burden Study, Mt. Siani School of Medicine _

(http://www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden/es.php)

* _Hospitalization Protocol for MCS Patients _

(http://www.ctaz.com/~bhima/hospital.htm)

* _Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (video) _

(http://www.conceptmed.com//mcs1/mcs1.html)

Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (video), Alison , Producer

* _The Chemical Sensitivity Foundation _

(http://chemicalsensitivityfoundation.org/)

Features the concise Chemical Sensitivity Brochure published by the State of

New Mexico

* _Environmental Health Network of California _

(http://users.lmi.net/wilworks/)

A vast resource on Chemical Injury and Chemical Sensitivity

Those are all found on _http://www.weikertfund.schoolmoldhelp.org/links.html_

(http://www.weikertfund.schoolmoldhelp.org/links.html)

The reason I have this is from my exposure to high levels of molds in wet

buildings over a period of years. Molds emit volatile organic compounds

(mycotoxins) and these cause toxic damage to the immune system. Manmade

chemicals

then become unable to be tolerated as they are adding to the “body burdenâ€

that a mold victim has absorbed, and they are sometimes chemically related to

the organic compounds from the mold. _Human Toxic Body Burden Study, Mt. Siani

School of Medicine _ (http://www.ewg.org/reports/bodyburden/es.php) is

particularly informative.

I am sorry to have to ask this but am trying to protect myself from further

injury. If you would like to see the diagnosis (this is often doubted for

people with MCS because people are not familiar with this disease), I have it!

Thank you for your understanding,

Sue Brinchman

Brinchman

Founder/President, School Mold Help