Environmental Health Perspectives 105, Supplement 2, March 1997
Commentary

Evolving Concepts of Chemical Sensitivity

Robert C. MacPhail

National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory,
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina

Abstract
Chemical sensitivity appears to be an elusive phenomenon. Studies on individual differences in susceptibility may provide glimpses into the range of sensitivity in a population, which can be used for further study. Preliminary evidence in laboratory animals suggests the range of sensitivity to manufactured chemicals may span orders of magnitude. Determining the reasons that underlie individual differences in sensitivity is a more difficult enterprise. Conditioning of adverse physiological effects of airborne chemicals may play a vital role in the etiology of chemical sensitivity, and it provides a rigorous laboratory model by which to investigate some aspects of this elusive phenomenon. -- Environ Health Perspect 105(Suppl 2):455-456 (1997)

Key words: chemical sensitivity, susceptibility, conditioning

This article is based on a presentation at the Conference on Experimental Approaches to Chemical Sensitivity held 20-22 September 1995 in Princeton, New Jersey. Manuscript received at EHP 6 March 1996; manuscript accepted 22 March 1996.
The research described in this article has been reviewed by the National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and approved for publication. Approval does not signify that the contents necessarily reflect the views of the agency, nor does mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.
Address correspondence to Dr. R.C. MacPhail, Neurotoxicology (MD-74B), NHEERL, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC 27711. Telephone: (919) 541-7833. Fax: (919) 541-4849.
Abbreviations used: RfCs, reference concentrations; RfDs, reference doses.

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Last Update: March 20, 1997