Home for a Person with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

When we conceived the Slow Studio philosophy, we did so with the intention of designing ecological and healthy homes because it is something we firmly believe in and are passionate about.

We knew that just as leading a healthy life, eating well, and exercising make us feel better, the place we live and the design of our home, as well as the materials it is built with, can also positively influence people’s well-being.

This approach has led us to meet people who seek this concept of life and want to live in a healthy and ecological home because they believe in it. However, it has also led us to meet people who need to live in such a place because they have an ailment that reduces their quality of life and suspect it may be caused by their living environment.

This is the case for individuals with multiple chemical sensitivity, a condition we had heard about but have recently come to know closely through a client who came to our studio seeking help to design a healthy home free of chemicals and toxins.

She is a client from Barcelona who has been diagnosed with this condition, and her doctors have recommended living in a natural environment. She and her husband were already considering moving out of the city for a more relaxed lifestyle, and the diagnosis was the catalyst for making the decision.

Following this visit, we began to research this illness further to understand how a home for a person with multiple chemical sensitivity should be designed.

What is multiple chemical sensitivity?

Multiple chemical sensitivity is an illness that affects many people but is relatively little understood. It is related to an organism’s sensitivity to chemical exposure caused by various elements present in the everyday environment.

In fact, many people who suffer from multiple chemical sensitivity do not even know that their symptoms are caused by repeated chemical exposure.

People suffering from multiple chemical sensitivity experience different types of discomfort when exposed to one or more types of chemicals. Symptoms can affect multiple organ systems such as the central nervous system, musculoskeletal system, respiratory system, cardiovascular system, gastrointestinal system, or even the skin.

Some studies point to allergies as the cause of these symptoms in an attempt to explain the effect of chemicals on an affected person’s body, but there is still insufficient scientific evidence to know exactly what causes an adverse reaction to various chemicals.

Individuals affected by multiple chemical sensitivity often complain of severe headaches, anxiety, depression, skin irritation, concentration problems, or vomiting, and these reactions are especially frequent when directly exposed to chemicals.

Furthermore, the bioaccumulation effect must also be considered, whereby exposure to different chemical agents gradually accumulates in our body, reducing tolerance levels over time.

Where can a person with multiple chemical sensitivity live?

It must be considered that the presence of chemicals today is not limited solely to industries or urban pollution; the indoor environment of our homes can also have a high presence of toxic elements for the body.

In this regard, a home in a natural environment or a small town with low pollution seems, a priori, more suitable for a sensitive person. However, it is important to start by reviewing our current home before seeking a new location.

Often, the condition is caused by very clear chemicals like cleaning products, but it is also necessary to evaluate building materials and elements, as they often incorporate toxins that, although in small quantities, are slowly released and accumulate in our bodies.

This is the case, for example, with paints, varnishes, synthetic insulation, wallpapers, coverings, or even flooring or windows, in whose manufacturing process toxic or carcinogenic elements for our bodies have been incorporated or used.

The location of a home for a person with multiple chemical sensitivity

When designing a home for a person with multiple chemical sensitivity from scratch, we adopt the same precaution. It is necessary to start designing from the inside, choosing natural and healthy materials that guarantee an adequate, toxin-free indoor environment.

A home for a person with multiple chemical sensitivity does not necessarily have to be isolated from the world; it can be located in an urban area, provided that pollution is not excessive, as can occur in a large city.

Likewise, it is important that a home for a person with multiple chemical sensitivity is located away from places such as gas stations, factories, and, of course, chemical industries that emit toxic gases or fumes, whether visible or not.

The design of a home for a person with multiple chemical sensitivity

The only known treatment for this condition is to reduce exposure levels and try to keep our bodies as healthy as possible. This includes the place we live, but also what we eat, the exercise we do, and where we spend our free time.

Being in contact with nature, exercising in pollution-free spaces, and eating organic foods, free of pesticides and fertilizers, are the first steps to maintaining a healthy body.

From here, the design of a home for a person with multiple chemical sensitivity must use natural materials in its construction for structural systems such as stone, wood, or clay (for example, BTC bricks or compressed earth blocks), vegetable or animal insulation like sheep’s wool or wood fiber, and harmless, toxin-free finishes such as oil-protected wood instead of varnish, or breathable vegetable paints.

Furthermore, a home for a person with multiple chemical sensitivity must utilize construction systems along with climate control installations to ensure adequate indoor environmental conditions, such as optimal humidity and temperature throughout the year.

It is also advisable, despite thoroughly evaluating the design of a home for a person with multiple chemical sensitivity, to consider the effect of electroclimate on the indoor environment. In this regard, the presence of radiation or electromagnetic emissions from electronic devices, electrical wiring, or wireless WIFI networks should also be reduced, as their impact should be especially avoided in resting areas such as the headboard of the bed.