chemically sensitive travel

While travel is one of the greatest joys in life, people who suffer from MCS (multiple chemical sensitivities) find planning travel to be difficult, time consuming, and frustrating.

Why? Each of us is exposed to hundreds of toxic substances in the course of a day. Such contact causes severe physical pain for the chemically sensitive. Many people are not aware of the effects of such exposure on their bodies. There may be cases in which chemical exposure does cause pain or discomfort, but the affected person simply does not associate their pain with that exposure. But the point is, those suffering from MCS must be very intentional about avoiding such exposure. It is not an easy task because toxic chemicals are everywhere.

Here are some examples of what I am talking about:

• fresh paint
  
• new carpet
  
• foam in new upholstered chairs
  
• press board in new dressers or cabinets
  
• harsh bathroom cleansers
  
• fragrances in detergents and fabric softeners used to launder bed linens
  
• cigarette smoke left by thoughtless smokers in smoke-free rooms
  
• air freshener sprayed in a room
  
• scented toiletries or potpourri

In order to book a hotel room, or reserve a limousine, a chemically sensitive traveler must go through a whole checklist of requirements with the hotel with no assurance that those requests will be noticed or honored.

Some online resources:

a new discussion forum

Planet Thrive, a grassroots community for personal wellness

booking travel for the chemically sensitive