Multiple Chemical Sensitivity – Disability Insurance Claims

Some people have challenges working in communal spaces due to environmental sensitivities to chemical products such as perfumes and cleaning products. Potential solutions would be requesting a change of scented products for unscented varieties or requesting a cubicle neighbour to desist from wearing specific cologne in the workplace.

However, some people may experience severe sensitivities, which makes sharing space with colleagues at work untenable. Severe chemical sensitivity may make going to work, going to public spaces, and leaving the house a big challenge since even low levels of chemical exposure trigger a reaction. People with a multiple chemical sensitivity disability can have legitimate claims to long-term disability benefits.

Multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS) syndrome, is a relatively new disability compared to other disabilities that prevent people from effectively discharging their duties at work. The Ontario Human Rights Commission and the Canadian Human Rights Commission recognize it as a disability; a condition requiring reasonable and appropriate accommodation of affected employees by employers.

Multiple chemical sensitivity syndrome is also referred to as sick building syndrome or environmental illness. It is a chronic condition that makes sufferers experience a wide range of MCS symptoms after exposure to environmental toxins and other environmental factors such as exhaust fumes, tobacco smoke, chlorine, and other synthetic chemicals at work or in living quarters. For people with MCS, this is a serious environmental health and occupational health concern that affects daily life and overall health and safety.