For years the National Toxic Encephalopathy Foundation (NTEF) has strived to increase awareness of this increasing epidemic that appears to affect everyone from gestation to geriatrics.

So many changes and advances have been made toward health this year, its astonishing. Wal Mart creating a list of chemicals to be removed from products sold in their stores, Subway removing a harmful food ingredient, as examples.   

This year we are concentrating on proper medical diagnosis, accessibility, accommodations, and assimilation into society, those who are currently precluded because of environmental toxicants and failure of the public to address and remove these barriers.

"Women's Voices for the Earth supports NTEF's mission of raising awareness of the impact of toxic chemicals on human health. Of the tens of thousands of chemicals on the marketplace, only about 200 have been tested for safety. Most of those have been tested for their acute impacts to adult males in industrial settings. The chemical exposure routes and health impacts on women- especially girls, women of color and women of reproductive age – are different and have historically been largely overlooked." – Cassidy Randall, Director of Outreach & Engagement, Women's Voices of the Earth.

"The American Lung Association reports that over 14 million Americans are sensitive to fragrances and 5,000 Americans die each year from the severe allergic reactions they have from being exposed to fragrances." [1]

"The work of the NTEF regarding the health implications of chemicals on our bodies, especially the brain, is well known in the environmental community, whether it's fragrances, cosmetics, smart meters or pesticides. I have worked with them on these issues and know their dedication to providing a healthier, chemical free environment for everyone, not just those who are currently sensitive to environmental toxins. Their concentration on accessibility this year is important for everyone. Many people are impacted by fragrances etc., but they have not made the correlation. Businesses, public entities that are required under the ADA to provide access, need to make their events accessible to everyone. The request to have attendees go fragrance free is both in compliance with the ADA and creates a healthier environment for everyone. More information on the effects of chemicals in personal care items can be found in my book "Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry." – Stacy Malkan- award winning author, co-founder for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

"Chronic toxic encephalopathy, cerebellar syndrome, parkinsonism, and vascular encephalopathy are commonly encountered clinical syndromes of toxic encephalopathy. Few neurotoxins cause patients to present with pathognomonic neurological syndromes. The symptoms and signs of toxic encephalopathy may be mimicked by many psychiatric, metabolic, inflammatory, neoplastic, and degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Thus, the importance of good history-taking that considers exposure and a comprehensive neurological examination cannot be overemphasized in the diagnosis of toxic encephalopathy. Neuropsychological testing and neuroimaging typically play ancillary roles. The recognition of toxic encephalopathy is important because the correct diagnosis of occupational disease can prevent others (e.g., workers at the same worksite) from further harm by reducing their exposure to the toxin, and also often provides some indication of prognosis. Physicians must therefore be aware of the typical signs and symptoms of toxic encephalopathy, and close collaborations between neurologists and occupational physicians are needed to determine whether neurological disorders are related to occupational neurotoxin exposure." [2]

We are requesting that companies, buildings, offices start addressing the health implications of chemicals in their indoor environment. This must be addressed for the health and safety of everyone, not just the environmentally challenged and other neurologically mediated medical conditions.

Accessibility and accommodation issues in subsequent releases.

References

[1]  http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/hr/pdf/Fragrance_free_workplace.pdf

[2]  http://www.national-toxic-encephalopathy-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/toxicencekorea.pdf