Resources
Informational resources to learn more about being fragrance-free, air quality, multiple chemical sensitivity, toxic-free travel and various environmental organizations. Plus find resources to safely renovate your home and buy organic clothing, furniture, bedding and more. For other information on specific products, visit the Product page.
Fragrance-Free & Scent-Free
Fragrance-Free Policies & Indoor Environments by Dr. Anne Steinemann (leading researcher on fragrance sensitivities)
Moving To Heal Scent-Free policy
Fragrance-Free Policy Template by American Lung Association
Seattle area organizations with policies*: Evergreen Health Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, EPA, Q Center at UW, WA Homeopathy
Accommodation and Compliance for Fragrance Sensitivities
Breast Cancer Prevention Partners: Right to Know Report
Chemical Emissions from Essential Oils
*Contact Pauline if you are a local organization that includes fragrance-free or scent-free policies
Air Quality
7 Ways to Create a Clean Air Oasis (includes cleaning recipes)
PurpleAir: Real-Time Air Quality Monitoring (purchase air monitors for inside and outside of home; monitor air quality in neighborhood)
IQ Air (air purifiers including a portable/car version; community air quality monitoring)
Air Scrubber (if you do get one installed, make sure it is the ozone free version; most heating companies will install)
See product page for other air purifier options
Green Cleaning
Green cleaning recipes (Page 2)
Briotech (disinfectants and more)
Dry brushing without toothpaste (may decrease plaque build-up and bleeding)
O3waterworks (Laundry and disinfectant system using ozone. Note: some people may not be able to tolerate even small amounts of ozone so please consider this before purchasing. There is a 30 day return policy)
Renovations
Green Building Supply (flooring, paints, home goods and cleaning)
Green Home Solutions (flooring, cabinets, insulation and more; based in Seattle, WA)
The Real Milk Paint Company (non-toxic, natural and no VOCs paint, finishes and more)
American Clay Walls (clay plaster; alternative to paint)
HomeFree (product guidance)
CanCoverIt (to cover can lights, ceiling fans and more to reduce outdoor air pollution from coming inside and increase energy efficiency); *one of the safer forms of insulation on the market; did have a green apple scent upon receiving (likely antifungal); we off-gassed it for about 3 weeks outside before install and had no problem. The owner is very responsive to questions.
Clothing
Even when buying organic clothing, it is good to wash it 1-2 times before use as there still can be some chemicals on it from packing and other sources. When buying non-organic clothing it’s best to soak in baking soda and water and wash a few times before wearing. This may be enough to get the chemicals out of clothing, but if you have severe chemical sensitivity some items may be more difficult to remove the chemicals. Placing clothing in sun may also help.
15 Organic Clothing Lines from The Good Trade
It’s Our Nature (hats)
Primary (up to 12 years old)
Mattress, Bedding & More
The Futon Shop (mattresses, sofas and more)
10 Affordable Organic & Natural Mattresses by The Good Trade
Under The Canopy (bedding, towels, mattresses & more)
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity / Toxicant-Induced Loss of Tolerance
Hoffman Tilt Program (includes a self-assessment tool for MCS/TILT and provider education booklet)
American Academy of Environmental Medicine (find a practitioner that has specialty training in environmental medicine)
Dr. Anne Steinemann (comprehensive research articles for advocacy)
What You Should Know About Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (flyer)
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity information from Arizona Center for Advanced Medicine
Is the World Making Us Sick? Interview with immunologist, Dr. Claudia Miller
Understanding & Accommodating People with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in Independent Living
Accommodations and Compliance for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (Job Accommodation Network)
The Chemical Sensitivity Foundation
The Environmental Sensitivities Resource Team
Seriously Sensitive to Pollution
The Counseling Center at CELA (counseling and other services for MCS/TILT)
Dr. Ann McCampbell, MD (offers consultations & information on MCS)
Dr. John Molot – author of 12,000 Canaries Can’t Be Wrong
Travel
Traveling with an environmental illness can be very difficult and if possible always have a back-up plan and bring your own bedding. Here are some possible resources for finding safer accommodations. It’s okay to ask for a different room. Always contact prior to make sure they are able to accommodate your needs. For example, some may be fragrant-free and still have wood-burning on the property. Make sure air fresheners are not used in the rooms or hallways and request fragrance-free bedding. I have not stayed at any of these places and this is based on recommendations from others. Please confirm before traveling.
Green Vacation Hub (not always up-to-date)
Home 2 Suites (Hilton; Pure Rooms may not necessarily be the best ones; some with MCS are not able to tolerate these rooms)
North Country Farm, Kauai, HI (organic farm, eco-friendly rooms)
The North Berkley Hills Homestay, Berkley, CA (specifically for MCS)
How to Book the Healthiest Rooms
Some hotels may be able to accommodate with notice. Some recommend going to a Motel 6 or Best Western where you can open the windows, but be mindful of places near the highway.
Sustainability
Organizations
Alliances of Nurses for Healthy Environments
Berkley Center for Green Chemistry
Children’s Environmental Health Network
Children’s Environmental Health Resources by EPA for Healthcare Professionals
Environmental Working Group (find safer products and more)
Erin Brockovich (includes reporting website for environmental health issues)
Grassroots Environmental Education
Natural Resource Defense Council
Turning Green (Student-led organization)
Moving To Heal is not endorsing any of the above websites or their content and is providing these links as informational resources only.
