How Can Real Estate Agents Help Clients With Multiple Chemical Sensitivities?

How Can Real Estate Agents Help Clients
With Multiple Chemical Sensitivities?

Kootenai Valley Times

By: Gloria Gilbére, N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D.

People with multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) need their home to be a sanctuary where they can avoid or recover from chemical exposures. They need it to be their “safe” haven. They need a place with relatively clean air, away from busy highways, and with freedom from insecticide spraying and weed killers.
They prefer homes with hardwood or ceramic tile floors, with natural wood rather than plywood or other pressed-wood products that contain glues, solvents and formaldehyde. The structure should be at least 10-15 years old with no recent renovation, so that most of the problem chemicals will have out-gassed from the building materials. The MCS client does not tolerate a modular type home because of the building materials used. The home must have good ventilation, windows that open, and freedom from mustiness and molds. The home must have all electric appliances and preferably not forced air. If the home has old wallpaper, it is imperative that it be inspected to assure there isn‚t mold underneath. If the client is extremely hypersensitive, you might suggest that mold testing be ordered. The test is very easy, takes about one hour and costs approx. $30 per room. The results, however, take from 6-8 weeks until the culture stops growing.

People with acute allergies and MCS have life-threatening conditions and their requests must be met with seriousness. A realtor educated in the special needs of these clients is an invaluable asset and a necessity. A person with MCS may have other specific requirements, depending on the severity of their condition. With an estimated 28 million afflicted with MCS in the U.S., realtors need to be informed, or the informed realtor will be the “closer.”

The following are realtor suggestions shared from my personal experience and those of my MCS clients and colleagues:

Listen to the client. He/she will already be aware of many substances that trigger his/her worst symptoms. These substances will vary from person to person. Even if an individual's specific sensitivities sound strange to you, believe it! It's real.
Preview the property. Don’t take a person with MCS to a place that has fresh paint or stain, new carpeting, strong cleaning products (such as recently cleaned carpet), air fresheners, mold, sitting water, or tobacco smoke.
Understand how sick a person can get from even a few minutes exposure to chemical fumes, and that exposure may cause immediate difficulty in thinking, speaking and remembering. In the acutely sensitive person, it may cause anaphylaxis.
Do NOT wear fragrances, perfumes, scented cosmetics or lotion, hair spray, or freshly dry-cleaned clothes.
Make sure the property has not recently been sprayed with pesticides, insecticides or mold retardant chemicals.
Be sure there are no scented candles or incense burning or highly scented objects.
Explain to the buyer or landlord the severity of the condition so you can solicit cooperation through education.
Be patient. A person with MCS will have to look at more properties and spend more time in each before they can make an offer. They are not being fussy, their medical condition requires it.
Be sure your automobile does not contain air fresheners, residue from smokers, or recently cleaned interior with chemicals. The same is true for your office.
Be careful not to have a new newspaper with you or in the car. Air the paper out if you can, the fresh ink can trigger a reaction.
If you meet the client in your office, be sure other office personnel know and understand the special needs. Meet with the client as far away as possible from copiers (ink outgassing) and computers (especially newer than 6 months). By working with an MCS client, a real estate agent will be providing a vital service to someone who may not otherwise find a safe place to live.
Who gets MCS? Just about anyone. People diagnosed with MCS include individuals poisoned by pesticides; teachers, students and health care workers in tight buildings; Gulf War veterans; workers exposed to solvents; people whose air and water are highly polluted; and those exposed to various chemicals in consumer products, pharmaceuticals, or during building renovation. MCS usually results from exposure to toxic chemicals, either in a single massive dose or long-term exposures to low doses, in some cases the precipitating event in unknown.

If you’re the client, copy this and give it to your realtor. If you’re the realtor, be compassionate and learn all you can about the needs of people challenged with MCS, Naturally.

This and subsequent articles are for the purpose of education and to provide support to the millions afflicted with allergies and multiple chemical sensitivity syndromes. To share your stories of challenges, solutions and experiences involving living with multiple chemical sensitivities, as well as any negative experiences with drug side effects or negative experiences in receiving health care, please mail or fax your story to:

Gloria Gilbére, N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D.
Gilbére Research Associates • P.O. Box 1565 • Sandpoint, ID 83864 • USA
Office phone 1-360-352-3646 (7:30am-3pm Pacific Time, Mon-Fri)
Fax: 1-208-265-1777
info@gloriagilbere.com

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