Pioneering Access for Those with Environmental Sensitivities: An Interview with Susan Molloy
Main Article Content
Keywords
environmental sensitivities, exposure, chemical sensitivity
Abstract
Chemical and electrical sensitivities are often invisible disabilities. Those with electrical hypersensitivity experience symptoms that result from exposure to a variety of sources of electromagnetic fields and radiation, including electrical appliances, florescent lights, computers, and cell phones and their towers. Most research has been conducted in the area of chemical sensitivity; persons with chemical sensitivities experience a wide range of negative disabling reactions to common chemicals such as fragrances, pesticides, paints, cleaners, and exhaust fumes. Recent findings indicate that chemical sensitivity is found world-wide and crosses lines of gender, race, and age. Susan Molloy has been advocating for persons with environmental sensitivities since 1983. In this interview, Lauren Sledd put questions to Molloy to illuminate the history of her pioneering advocacy.
References
Berg, N. D., Linnegarg, A., Dirksen, A., & Elberling, J. (2008). Prevalence of self-reported symptoms and consequences related to inhalation of airborne chemicals in a Danish population. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 81, 881-887.
Caress, S., & Steinemann, A. (2003). A review of a two-phase population study of multiple chemical sensitivities. Environmental Health Perspectives, 111, 1490-1497.
Gibson, P. R. (2002). Understanding and accommodating multiple chemical sensitivity in independent living [Booklet]. National Training and Technical Assistance Project of the Independent Living Research Utilization (ILRU) Program and the National Council on Independent Living. Available at www.ilru.org.
Gibson, P. R., & Rice, V.M. (2009). Sickness related dysfunction in persons with self-reported multiple chemical sensitivity at four levels of severity. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18, 72-81.
Hausteiner, C., Bornschein, S., Hansen, J., Zilker, T., & Förstl, H. (2005). Self-reported chemical sensitivity in Germany: A population-based survey. International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health, 208, 271-278.
Article Sidebar
Article Details
RDS Journal is an open-access journal, create a free account to read full articles and to submit a proposal. For visual arts and multimedia, submission will be considered evidence that you are offering RDS the right to display your work without penalty, compensation or royalties.