Cacosmia in healthy workers

Author: Magnavita N.¹

Source: British Journal of Medical Psychology, Volume 74, Number 1, March 2001 , pp. 121-127(7)

Publisher: British Psychological Society

Key:

- Free Content

- New Content

- Subscribed Content

- Free Trial Content

Abstract:

Self-reported cacosmia (i.e. feeling ill from the odour of xenobiotic substances) was studied in 151 young, healthy workers, unexposed to unpleasant odours and working in food stores without air-conditioning. Almost half (46%) of the sample reported feeling ill from the smell of chemical materials. Chemical odour intolerance induced headache, itching eyes, irritated or congested nose, dry and/or sore throat, cough, dizziness, and itching or rash. Cacosmic subjects showed a slight prevalence of the female sex, and had significantly higher symptom scores, anxiety, and depression than non-cacosmic subjects. Cacosmia may be related to multiple chemical sensitivity, sick-building syndrome and psychopathology. Individual variability in odour tolerance may substantially bias epidemiological studies on indoor air quality and health.

Language: English

Document Type: Research article

Affiliations: 1: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Catholic University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy

The full text electronic article is available for purchase. You will be able to download the full text electronic article after payment.

$24.40 plus tax Refund Policy