Over the years, individuals with MCS have pioneered several innovative approaches to create healthier living spaces that minimize exposure to harmful chemicals. These strategies range from restoring mobile homes to using entirely natural building techniques, moving to specialized MCS communities, and even living in remote forests. This article will delve deeper into these strategies, offering a range of practical ideas and tips on how people with MCS have adapted their living situations, from trailers to natural building to forest living. We will also explore the safest materials to use in these efforts.
1. Stripping and Rebuilding Trailers: Turning a Mobile Home into a Safe Haven
One of the first solutions many people with MCS explore is living in trailers. Trailers are portable, inexpensive, and can be set up in areas with lower levels of chemical pollution. However, most conventional trailers—especially older ones—are built with synthetic materials that can off-gas harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, benzene, and other VOCs. For people with MCS, this can be a significant health risk.
To mitigate these risks, many individuals with MCS have turned to the strategy of purchasing a pure aluminum trailer—a type of mobile home that has no wooden panels or synthetic materials—and then stripping it down to its bare essentials. Once the toxic components are removed, such as old carpeting, vinyl flooring, synthetic insulation, and treated wood paneling, the next step is to rebuild the interior using non-toxic, inert materials.
Key materials to consider when rebuilding the interior of a trailer for MCS safety include:
- Natural Insulation: Replacing fiberglass or foam insulation with sheep’s wool, cotton batting, or hemp insulation can provide excellent thermal and sound insulation without releasing harmful fibers or VOCs.
- Non-Toxic Paint: When painting the interior, it’s crucial to use low-VOC or no-VOC paints. Many natural paint brands offer options that are safe for chemically sensitive individuals.
- Natural Flooring: Traditional vinyl or carpet flooring should be replaced with natural linoleum, bamboo, or unfinished hardwood. Some people also choose cork as an alternative, which is natural, antimicrobial, and non-toxic.
- Air Quality Improvements: Installing a high-quality HEPA air purifier and ensuring proper ventilation can help reduce airborne toxins and allergens. Some also choose to install a fresh air intake system to help maintain airflow and prevent the buildup of harmful chemicals inside the trailer.
Many people with MCS also hire contractors who specialize in building or renovating homes for chemically sensitive individuals. These professionals are skilled at using non-toxic, inert materials and can help ensure that the final product is as safe as possible. While this can be an investment, for many, it’s worth the cost for the relief it provides.
2. Natural Building: Inert, Non-Toxic Materials for Long-Term Health
For those looking for a more permanent solution, natural building offers an ideal way to create a chemically safe, sustainable home. Natural building techniques use materials that are abundant, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. Some of the most popular methods include straw bale construction, cob building, and earthbag building. These materials are not only inert but also provide excellent insulation, thermal mass, and durability.
Cob Homes:
- Cob is a natural building material made from a mixture of clay, sand, straw, and water. It has been used for thousands of years in different parts of the world because of its durability, thermal mass, and non-toxic qualities. Cob homes are especially valuable for those with MCS because they are completely inert—meaning they won’t off-gas chemicals or VOCs.
- The use of local clay ensures a minimal environmental impact and reduces the transportation of materials. Cob can be shaped into beautiful, organic structures that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Additionally, cob is fireproof, soundproof, and highly energy-efficient.
Straw Bale Homes:
- Straw bale construction is another excellent choice for people with MCS. Straw bales are highly insulating and can keep homes cool in summer and warm in winter. When used as part of a natural building structure, they offer a safe, breathable alternative to synthetic insulation materials.
- One of the main benefits of straw bale homes is that they are built using completely natural materials that are both non-toxic and highly efficient in terms of energy consumption.
Earthbags:
- Another growing trend in natural building is earthbag construction, which uses bags filled with earth, sand, or gravel to create the walls of a structure. Like cob, earthbags are completely inert, highly durable, and energy-efficient. These structures are often built into the earth or covered with earth, creating natural, earth-friendly homes that are both protective and breathable.
3. Non-Toxic Tents: Safe, Portable Shelter
For individuals with MCS who are seeking temporary or portable shelter, non-toxic tents offer a great solution. Conventional tents, especially those made from synthetic fabrics, are often treated with flame retardants and other chemicals that can trigger reactions in people with chemical sensitivities. Thankfully, more eco-conscious companies now produce tents made from untreated cotton canvas or other non-toxic, natural fibers that do not emit harmful chemicals.
These non-toxic tents can be set up in less polluted areas, like rural settings or forested areas, where individuals can avoid chemical exposure. Here are some key features to look for in a non-toxic tent:
- Cotton Canvas: A natural, breathable material that is free from flame retardants and other harmful chemicals. Cotton canvas tents allow air to circulate while keeping out the elements.
- Non-Toxic Coatings: Be sure to check that the tent has not been treated with harmful coatings such as PTFE (Teflon) or PFCs (Perfluorinated compounds), which can off-gas harmful chemicals. Some companies use beeswax or paraffin-based coatings for water resistance, which are safer alternatives.
- Wooden or Aluminum Poles: Some non-toxic tents come with wooden poles (untreated) or pure aluminum poles that are not treated with toxic chemicals.
While living in a tent is not a long-term solution for everyone, it can be a great option for individuals who need a temporary solution or prefer a minimalist, off-grid lifestyle. With a good tent, adequate ventilation, and the right location, it can provide a relatively safe and comfortable space for someone with MCS.
4. MCS-Specific Communities: Safe, Chemical-Free Living
In addition to individual adaptations, some people with MCS have chosen to move to MCS-specific communities. These communities are designed with the needs of chemically sensitive individuals in mind, using non-toxic materials for construction and minimizing exposure to pollutants. These communities are often built in remote or rural areas where industrial pollution is minimal, and residents can live more autonomously, growing their own food and reducing their reliance on chemical-laden products.
MCS Communities often have shared resources such as non-toxic gardening tools, community composting, and natural water filtration systems. These spaces provide support not only for the physical health of residents but also for their emotional and psychological well-being. People with MCS can find camaraderie and share advice with others who understand their condition, alleviating some of the isolation that often accompanies the disease.
5. Forest Living: Returning to Nature for Chemical-Free Peace
Finally, for some, the ultimate solution is to live off the grid in the forest whether its an emergency hole in the ground, like the hobbits in the Lord of the Rings or just a shelter made of sticks and a nontoxic tarp. The forest offers clean air, natural water sources, and an abundance of non-toxic materials for building. Forest living allows individuals to control their environment completely and avoid the exposure to chemicals found in urban areas or even rural communities.
A forest home can be made from log cabins, earth homes, or an emergency small natural shelters built from local, untreated wood and stone. This type of living also allows people with MCS to grow their own food, avoid synthetic pesticides, and maintain a simple, chemical-free lifestyle. The serene environment of the forest can also be healing for individuals who are constantly affected by environmental toxins.
Conclusion: A Healthier Path Forward
Living with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity requires ingenuity and adaptability, but as the strategies outlined above show, there are many ways to create a safe and supportive living environment. Whether through modifying a trailer, building with natural materials like cob and straw bale, living in a non-toxic tent, or moving to an MCS-specific community, individuals with MCS are finding ways to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals and live healthier lives.
As the world becomes more aware of the dangers of synthetic chemicals and the growing prevalence of MCS, it is likely that more options for safe, sustainable living will emerge. For now, the people who are pioneering these adaptive strategies provide invaluable inspiration for others with MCS to create homes that are safe, non-toxic, and conducive to healing.
References:
- Ashford, N. A., & Miller, C. S. (1998). Chemical Exposures: Low Levels and High Stakes. Wiley.
- McKeown, M. (2015). *Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: A Guide
