Because websites and the information they contain are constantly
changing, it’s possible that by the time you read this list, some of the sites may have
moved, or the information contained may no longer correspond to the principles contained
elsewhere in this blog. I believe, however, that the following resources are a good place to start
when looking for information and assistance in transitioning to a healthier lifestyle. This is by
no means a comprehensive list. Many of the resources listed here will lead to others, which I
hope will also be useful. I believe that the products sold by the suppliers and vendors
listed here are generally good alternatives to those traditionally found on store shelves,
but I can’t guarantee that every product sold is a good choice, either in general, or for any
particular buyer. It’s always a good idea to test any new product for personal tolerability. This is
especially true of building and renovation materials, which are not easily removed once used. All
buyers need to learn to read ingredients and to be well-informed consumers, but no one needs to
feel that he or she is in this journey alone. There are plenty of people tuning in to these
issues, and lots of company on this road to a healthier future.
Christian Health-Related Ministries
Aroma of Christ Ministry
A Christian ministry to the chemically sensitive
Rest Ministries
Ministering to those with chronic illnesses and pain
Where is God Ministries
WIGM is designed to encourage people with chronic illnesses and
educate their family members and friends. Pamphlets on “Why Go Perfume Free to Church?” and “Is
Your Church Making People Sick?” are available for purchase.
Christian Chemical Illness Online Support Groups
Aroma of Christ
Christian prayer and encouragement for those with chemical illness
and related conditions
CMCS-EI: Christians with Invisible Illnesses
Christian group for those with chemical sensitivities and other
invisible illnesses
Christians with Environmental Illness Facebook Group
A group for Christians with environmental illness and similar
conditions
Circle of Friends Christ Centered Prayer Share and
Praise Group
A place for Christians to share concerns and praises which is
associated with the Planet Thrive website
Hope Revealed
Hope Revealed is also part of the Planet Thrive community.
http://planetthrive.ning.com/group/hoperevealed
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome
A support group associated with Rest Ministries.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Syndrome
A support group associated with Rest Ministries.
Church-related Articles and Informational Pages
Anabaptist Disabilities Network
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity information page
Are You Allergic to Your Church?
Short article from Hopekeepers Magazine
The CIA Campaign: A Campaign for Cleaner Indoor Air
Printable letter on fragrance and air quality issues addressed to
church staff
Links to pamphlets, brochures, flyers, and other resources
Disability and the Urban Church
Article on disabilities in general, which briefly mentions MCS
How Accessible is Your Church?
Church accessibility review from The Christian Council on Persons
with Disabilities
Covers many disabilities, and includes a section on environmental
friendliness
How the Church Can Help the Chemically Sensitive
Article that originally appeared in the Christian Century
Knowing Someone with an Invisible Illness
Includes a page entitled “What Churches Can Do”
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity Accessibility for United
Methodist Churches
Information on MCS taken from Accessibility Audit for Churches, a United Methodist Resource Book about Accessibility
Parishoners Breathe Easier in Seattle Church’s ‘Fragrance-Free
Zone”
Article from the Catholic News Service
Christian Teaching and Bible Study Tools
Back to the Bible
Downloadable Bible Studies and links to radio show archives
Bible Gateway
Online Bible with many versions and reading plans
Bible Study Tools
Bibles, reference works, articles, reading plans, and other
resources
Crosswalk
Daily Bible readings, Bible study tools, Christian news and
commentary, and more
Got Questions?
Helpful site that answers hundreds of thousands of questions about
the Bible and the Christian faith
Lifeway
Online Bible library with Bibles, commentaries, dictionaries, word
studies, and other Bible study aids
New Christians and Seekers
A site dedicated to helping new Christians and to answering the
questions of those seeking to know more about the Christian faith
Oneplace
Links to many Christian radio and Internet ministries, online
broadcasts, articles, Bible study tools and other resources
National Chemical Illness Organizations and Communities
Chemical Injury Information Network
A support and advocacy organization providing resource materials and referrals to experts
Environmental Illness Resource
An informational resource and interactive community site with
news, articles, research abstracts and original content
HEAL – Human Ecology Action League
One of the oldest organizations concerned about the health effects
of environmental exposures
Planet Thrive
An online community for those “ready to kick convention to the
curb and reclaim responsibility for their health"
General Chemical Illness and Toxin Awareness Resources
American Academy of Environmental Medicine
Enables patients to search for doctors familiar with chemical
illness
Chemical Injury
A site dedicated to providing both the public and the medical
community with the latest research and information on chemical injury
The Chemical Sensitivity Foundation
The goal of the organization is to raise public awareness of MCS. Visitors to the site can watch a video discussing the issue.
The CIA Campaign: A Campaign for Cleaner Air
Links to many sites addressing fragrance and chemical dangers
Dr. Claudia Miller
Visitors to the site can download The Quick Environmental Exposure
and
Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI), which is a screening instrument for chemical sensitivity.
Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI), which is a screening instrument for chemical sensitivity.
Fragranced Products Information Network
Gathers and compiles information on synthetic fragrances and other contaminants
Healthy Child, Healthy World
A site on healthy, contaminant-free living focusing on the needs
of children
MCS-America
Very helpful and comprehensive site, with links to many others
http://www.mcs-america.org/
Among other resources, the site provides printable factsheets on fragrances, cleaners, EMFs, healthy neighborhoods, MCS causes and symptoms, and more (some available in Spanish)
http://mcs-america.org/index_files/MCSBrochuresPostersSigns.htm
Among other resources, the site provides printable factsheets on fragrances, cleaners, EMFs, healthy neighborhoods, MCS causes and symptoms, and more (some available in Spanish)
http://mcs-america.org/index_files/MCSBrochuresPostersSigns.htm
Printable pamphlet on MCS
Pamphlet available from the MCS Canadian Sources organization
Understanding and Accommodating People with Multiple
Chemical Sensitivity in Independent Living
Compassionate treatment of the needs of the chemically sensitive, including challenges related to healthcare, employment, housing and psychological losses
Product Safety Information
Healthy Stuff
Evaluates the safety of products in many categories, including children's products, pets, cars, and apparel
Household Products Database
Health and safety information on household products of many kinds, including yard, home maintenance, auto, home office, and arts and crafts
Pollution Prevention and Toxics
Chemical factsheets produced by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Database
A searchable safety guide to cosmetics and personal care products
Healthy Building and Renovation
Books
The Healthy House: How to Buy One, How to Cure a
Sick One, How to Build One. Fourth Edition, John Bower, Healthy House Institute, Bloomington, IN, 2000
Prescriptions for a Healthy House: A Practical
Guide for Architects, Builders, and Homeowners. Paula Baker-Laporte, AIA, Erica Elliott, MD, and John
Banta, New Society Publishers, 2001
Online Articles and Informational Pages
Considerations for Safer Construction and Renovation
Article by an architect, first published in the Human Ecologist
Create Healthy Homes: Tips for a Healthy Home
Articles, tips, and a question and answer section
Ecology House Property Management and Design Criteria
Descriptions of building materials and methods used in the
construction of an environmentally safer housing development
EPA Building Air Quality guides:
This page links to Building Air Quality: A Guide for Building Owners and Facility
Managers, a large and comprehensive publication addressing indoor air
quality issues in public and commercial buildings, and to the Building Air Quality Action Plan, which is a more concise, “how-to” treatment of the same issues.
Healthy House Institute
Articles, tips, and product reviews
Heating and Cooling Options for the Environmentally
Sensitive
Discussion of gas, electric, hydronic, and passive solar systems
MCS Issues and Pre-Existing Dwellings
Discussion of factors to consider when looking for a safe home and
tips on non-toxic maintenance and upkeep
Recommended Architectural Features for Multi-Family
Housing to Better Accommodate Chemical and Electrical Sensitivities
Short list of health-related factors to consider in multi-family
dwellings
Safer Building Materials for People Who Can’t Tolerate
Many Commonly-Used Chemicals
Article originally published in Ecological News
Safer Remodel
Factsheets for contractors available for purchase
Suppliers
AFM Safecoat
Providers of safer stains, paints, sealers, adhesives and
cleaners, including sealers specifically designed to seal in toxins
American Environmental Health Foundation
Air and water filters, bedding, sealants, tape, and other
chemically safer materials
Building for Health
Large site with over 7,000 diverse products
Eco Haus
Building materials, flooring, paint, cleaners, and more
E.L. Foust
Providers of air and water filters as well as other healthier home
building and improvement products
Green Building Supply
Products include cleaners, finishes, countertops, flooring, and
environmental testing kits
Green Depot
Building materials and household products
Healthy Home
Cabinets, lighting, household products, cleaners, apparel, organic
flowers, and more
Nirvana Safe Haven
Focus on beds and bedding, air and water purifiers, and fume and
odor control solutions
Safer housing
Canada
Environmental Health Association of Ontario
Site that connects individuals with compatible needs
Barrhaven Non-Profit Housing, Inc.
Seven units designed for the environmentally sensitive
USA
Ecology House
11-unit low-income housing unit for the chemically sensitive
Has long waiting list
Housing ads
Free housing ads for those with MCS
MCS Housing
Recommended housing supports for those with MCS
MCS Safe Shelter USA
E-mail support group with searchable database of homes for sale or
rent and roommates wanted
ReShelter
Charitable corporation founded to address the urgent need for
housing alternatives for people with toxic illness
Non-toxic cleaning
Books
Clean and Green: The Complete Guide to Non-Toxic and
Environmentally Safe Housekeeping,
Annie Berthold –Bond, Ceres Press, Woodstock, NY, 1994
Less Toxic Alternatives, Carolyn Gorman, Optimum Publishing, 2002
Nontoxic, Natural, and Earthwise, Debra Lynn Dadd, Tarcher, 1990
Websites
An Internet search will bring up many pages of non-toxic cleaning
recipes and tips. Be sure to evaluate
each recipe for personal tolerance and true safety.
Care 2: How to Make a Non-Toxic Cleaning Kit
Eartheasy
Ecology Center
Our Little Place
Suppliers
Natural Soap Formulas
A basic formula is available, or the company can design a formula
for a specific use. Organizations can also purchase or lease a formula license and
manufacture it themselves.
Lawn care and pest management
Information
The Best Control
Download a free book entitled “The Bug Stops Here”
Beyond Pesticides
Factsheets on dealing with a variety of common pests, including
insects, rodents, weeds, and mold
Organic Lawn Care 101
Tips and tricks for safer lawns
Safe Lawns
A variety of instructional videos related to healthier lawn care
Products
Biocontrol Network
Insect, bird, rodent, and other pest control; lawn, tree, water,
and soil care and testing
Gardens Alive
Lawn, soil, and plant care; insect and animal control
Natural Lawn
Fertilizer, grass seed, insect, rodent, and weed control
Services
Some traditional lawn-service companies have organic options,
which are obviously better choices than what is usually offered. However, be aware that when
you support those companies you may face issues of cross-contamination, and your money also
indirectly supports pesticide usage. There is a lack of nationwide organic lawn care services in
the United States, but local options can sometimes be found.
Canadians Against Pesticides: Organic Lawn/Garden Care
Services and Sites
List of organic lawn care services in Canada
Greenwise Organic LawnCare
Based in Illinois
Natural Lawn of America
Environmentally friendly approach to lawn care available in many
states
Franchise opportunities available
PureLawn
Based in Ohio
Personal Care Products
Janice’s
Personal care, apparel, bedding, cleaners and more
NEEDS
Personal care, environmental equipment, clothing, pet care, and
other safer products
Travel
MCS Safe Shelter USA
E-mail support group with searchable database
Safer Travel Directory
A guide to safer travel accommodations can be purchased here
Workplace Accommodation
Job Accommodation Network
Information on MCS for employers, including an informational
PowerPoint presentation
Employment and Work Accommodation for People with MCS
Paper presented at the Chemical Injury Information Network
Chemical Injury Conference
Healthcare
The CIA Campaign: A Campaign for Cleaner Indoor Air
Printable letter on fragrance and air quality issues addressed to
medical providers
Healthcare Without Harm
International coalition of hospitals, healthcare systems, medical
professionals, and others working to implement healthy alternatives to common healthcare
practices
Hospital protocols
A list of sites linking to hospital protocols for chemically
sensitive patients
Massachusetts Nurses Association Fragrance-Free
Information
Information on fragrances, a model of a fragrance-free policy, and
advocacy tips that are applicable in many settings
Tips for First Responders
Includes a section on assisting those with MCS
Women’s College Hospital
Fragrance-free policy and anti-perfume poster
Safer Schools
Healthy Schools Network
National environmental health organization focused on ensuring
that every child has a healthy learning environment
IAQ Tools for Schools
Resources for schools from the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) in Schools
Site includes sample documents schools can use to purchase
environmentally preferable custodial and pest control products
Non-toxic Pest Management Program for Schools
Description of a non-toxic program currently available to any
school district
Ten Ways to Manage MCS Reactions at School
Printable factsheet with 10 safe schooling tips
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