By John LaBissoniere, Knoxville, Tennessee

I would like to tell you how I became chemically sensitive and what I did to deal with it.

In the 1980’s my wife and I and our two small children lived in Southern California. I worked in a publishing company as newsstand manager for a magazine. In the same building were housed the pre-press and graphics arts departments and several printing presses.

After working for seven years in this window-less facility, I began noticing that I was becoming more and more tired. Although I loved to exercise and jog and did not smoke and only drank a small amount occasionally, I often felt exhausted at the end of the day. At first I felt that since I was in my late thirties, this run-down feeling was simply due to "getting older." My fatigue continued to get worse. I felt that my brain was often "heavy" or "foggy" and I often couldn’t seem to think clearly. I couldn’t concentrate for extended periods of time and often found it difficult to remember events and dates, names and places.

I decided to go to a medical doctor for a thorough physical examination. Results proved negative for any adverse health conditions including cancer, low blood sugar or diabetes. I then went to another doctor for a second opinion and again, results were negative. At the urging of my wife, I went to a clinical ecologist. Although not a medical doctor, this individual explained that he could often help determine if a person had sensitivities to foods or various chemicals. After undergoing a series of tests, the clinical ecologist explained that my symptoms could possibly be a result of the printing chemicals in my work environment. At first I tended to disbelieve this diagnosis. However, I noticed that I often felt better on the weekends while away from the publishing facility.

Over a period of time I became convinced that the diagnosis was correct. I began to notice that the building often contained strong chemical smells. In fact, one of the film processing machines vented directly into a hallway leading to the office area where I and many others worked. Also, the doorway to the printing press area was often left open, allowing the smells of printing inks and solvents to permeate the hallways and offices. I had never noticed these odors during the previous seven years, since I has accepted the fact that these smells were simply a part of the office environment.

I began asking other employees about their experience in the office environment and found that about a dozen or more employees also experienced similar symptoms on a greater or lesser scale. In addition, I learned that the air circulation system in the building had not been designed for a pre-press operation or as a printing plant, but as a regular office building. After discussing my physical symptoms and situation with my employer, I was allowed to work from home.

After several months, my condition improved slightly, but I still felt very tired and had trouble concentrating. I heard about a "sauna-therapy" program that reportedly helped people recover from chemical overexposure. This program was originally designed to help firefighters who had inhaled toxic chemicals while fighting fires. It was also used to help detoxify individuals who had been addicted to heroin. The treatment consisted of having patients sit in low-heat saunas for a short periods of time each day for a seven week period. The theory behind the treatment was that fat-soluble toxins are not released through normal perspiration. It takes low heat sauna therapy to release these kinds of toxins.

Even though I was skeptical, I decided to go on the program. While there, I met a number of people who has also experienced various sensitivities to chemicals. In fact, I spoke to one woman who had worked at a silk factory for many years. She had become very sick and finally came to believe that she had been adversely affected by the dyes that were commonly used in the silk-making industry. When she would wipe her perspiration off with her white towel, the towel would leave traces of a blue color--presumably from the inks her body tissues had stored. If I had not actually witnessed this, I would have never believed it. Also, incredibly, my wife mentioned that while undergoing the program, I would give off the odor of printer’s ink--like the smell of a "new book."

I began feeling much better after the conclusion of the program. I was able to get rid of the brain "fog" and began getting my strength back. Fourteen years have since passed. Although I am physically in much better condition, I realize my body has been damaged. I carefully watch my diet and get regular exercise. I must still avoid long term exposures to various man-made environmental chemicals. I can’t be in an environment where there is a constant exposure to colognes, perfumes, or cleaning chemicals. I must avoid areas where new carpet has been laid or where newly printed magazines of newspapers are stacked. I must also avoid repeated and regular exposures to gasoline fumes, household cleaners, copy-machines and other office machines that emit various vapors or fumes. I must also limit exposure to molds and mildew. Repeated exposure brings a return to fatigue and "brain fog."

Does over-exposure to certain chemicals cause chemical sensitivity or chronic fatigue? Many "experts" will tell you that there is little if any correlation. But if you ask me, I will tell you that there is a definite correlation. I have experienced this problem personally and understand the difficulties it can cause.