ALLERGIES AND CHEMICAL REACTIONS

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ALLERGIES AND CHEMICAL REACTIONS

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Grace Ziem, M.D., DR. P.H.

 

Allergies have been defined by physicians as reactions to substances by

formation of rapid-acting antibodies known as IgE, which is immunoglobulin E.

Persons who have allergies to substances like mold, pollen, dander, or

dust often have this form of reaction. Molds release volatile organic

compounds that are similar to those found in sick buildings and these can also

cause reactions to molds that are not what physicians describe as a true

allergy. Molds can also release mycotoxins, causing a toxic type of reaction,

which is not an allergy. Of course, an individual can react to mold with a

combination of these types of reactions. There are also certain chemicals that

induce the production of IgE antibodies and these are considered chemical

allergens. Examples include formaldehyde, isocyanates, and a limited number

of other chemicals. Formaldehyde and isocyanates are also potent irritants

and can irritate the respiratory tract without a true allergy reaction, in

other words, without the presence of IgE antibodies. IgE antibodies are

typically formed to a particular substance or group of substances. For

example, there are many isocyanates that have a very similar chemical structure

to each other, and a person who has developed IgE antibodies to one

isocyanate may also have an IgE reaction to other isocyanates.

Many chemical reactions however, do not involve the production of IgE

antibodies and therefore are not strictly speaking an allergy. Individuals who

have become chronically ill or who have frequent symptoms in the presence

of various chemical pollutants often have increased inflammation of their

respiratory tract. Chemicals that are irritants can exacerbate this

inflammation, causing a chemical reaction of illness symptoms, which is not an

allergy because it does not involve the production of antibodies. This does not

make it less serious or less real, but simply means that the body is

reacting in a different manner. Virtually all petrochemical substances are

irritants. There are other chemicals, which are not derived from petroleum or

coal, which are also irritants. Chlorine, products containing chlorine, and

ammonia are examples of potent irritants, which are not derived from

petroleum or~ coal but are still irritating to the respiratory tract. It is

important to remember that there is no barrier between the nose and the brain.

This is because the nerve involved in detecting smell, the olfactory nerve, is

actually a direct extension of the brain with nerve endings in the lining

of the nose. Studies have documented that chemicals and even toxic metals

are capable of entering the brain by passing along the olfactory nerve.

Thus, the concept of a blood brain barrier that helps to limit substances

entering the brain does not apply when chemicals are breathed into the nose.

This is one reason that reactions to chemicals can occur so rapidly. There are

other ways in which an individual can react to chemicals. The

detoxification system may be impaired, occasionally genetically but more

commonly

because of past toxic exposure, and the individual may have more difficulty

detoxifying. This can cause them to have reactions at dosage levels that would

be less of a problem for healthy individuals with normal detoxification. It

is important to recall that the vast majority of pharmaceutical agents are

derived from petrochemicals and must be detoxified by the body using the

detoxification system. Therefore, an individual who has impaired

detoxification may have more difficulty tolerating medications, particularly

those

that share a detoxification pathway that has become deficient (for example,

from a past significant chemical exposure). Toxic exposure of certain

chemicals can cause a delayed immune reaction, which is not referred to as an

allergy since it does not involve IgE, but does involve the immune system. This

is another mechanism of chemical intolerance. Another mechanism, which has

been scientifically documented, is a sensitizing process that involves the

brain, referred to as neural sensitization. This renders the brain more

susceptible to toxic exposure. Some individuals may also have brain changes

referred to by scientists as kindling or near kindling. This involves a brain

response in which the person has seizures or seizure-like activity

following exposure to chemicals. It has also been demonstrated that individuals

who have toxic exposure can have reduced blood supply to the brain. When this

is present, the individuals may have chronic difficulty with thinking,

memory, concentrating, and other brain functions. Challenge studies show that

individuals like this have a significant further drop in the blood supply

to their brain when they have even modest exposures such as a whiff of

perfume, air fresheners, and other substances which by history are known to

affect individuals with chemical intolerance, sometimes referred to as

heightened sensitivity to chemicals. The mechanisms of chemical intolerance can

cause relatively rapid reaction to pollutants, sometimes only delayed

reactions, and often reactions which have certain symptoms present more quickly

and

other symptoms developing later. For example, an individual may experience

headache and/or irritation of the nose, throat, or chest as a more prompt

symptom. This inflammation can then cause release into the blood stream of

substances which increase fatigue and aching, which are often more delayed

effects of an exposure. It is important that people understand that chemical

intolerances are a real medical problem, which has been supported by a

significant amount of research and scientific study. Multiple studies confirm

that reducing exposure in the environment, which includes but is not

limited to leaving an area when symptoms occur, is important for long term well

being.

There are four studies in the medical literature which confirm that

reduced exposure is a major factor in the long-term outcome of patients who

have

become chemically sensitive: Dr. Michael Lax,’ an occupational medicine

physician, found that his patients who had environmental controls did much

better than patients without adequate environmental controls.

A survey of 305 persons with chemical sensitivity by DePaul University2

found that they experienced much greater relief from environmental controls

and reducing exposure than with any form of treatment, and that the use of

tranquilizing agents was actually less effective than meditation and prayer~

 

The third study was conducted by Dr. Leonard Jason3 who found that

individuals who were chemically sensitive who had relatively nontoxic housing

had

much better long term health than those that did not have adequate

environmental controls in their housing. This is because once chemical

sensitivity

is induced; it can be exacerbated by exposures at work, at home, or

elsewhere.

A fourth study of 206 chemically hypersensitive patients by Dr. Miller and

colleagues4 found that reducing exposure to chemicals was very helpful for

71 %, but only 17% of the patients who used psychological or psychiatric

services/treatment found those to be very helpful.

1 MB Lax, PK Henneberger, “Patients with Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

in an Occupational Health Clinic: Presentation and Followupâ€, Archiv. Env.

Health 50:425-431, 1995.

2 Treatment efficacy, a survey of 305 MCS patients,†The CFIDS Chronicle-

Winter 1996, pp. 52-53.

3 T.H. Davis, L.A. Jason, and M.A. Danghart, “The Effect of Housing on

Individuals With Multiple Chemical Sensitivities,†Archiv. Environ. Health.

50:425-431, 1995.

4 C.S. Miller, “Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndromeâ€, J. Occup. Env.

Med.. 37:1323, 1995.

Courtesy of Peggy Trioana_www.mcsbeaconofhope.com_

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