Do You Have Allergies/Sensitivities to Chemicals:

Do you have allergies/sensitivities to chemicals?

Do you experience symptoms when exposed to perfume?

Does the odor of cigarette smoke cause symptoms?

Do you have shortness of breath around strong odors?

Do you have difficulty concentrating in public places?

Does car exhaust make you ill?

Have you been exposed to chemicals at your workplace?

Have you done home renovations?

Have you painted with paints which release volatile organic chemicals (VOCs)?

Have you used solder frequently?

Have you developed your own photographs?

Have you had your home, yard, or office sprayed regularly for insects?

Have you worked in a "sick building"?

Do you experience symptoms around swimming pools?

Do you experience forgetfulness and difficulty remembering around chemicals?

Do you have unexplained heart arrhythmias?

How Chemical Sensitivies Are DIAGNOSED:

Initial History and Physical
Blood Tests
CBC with Differential
Sedimentation Rate
Comprehensive Metabolic Profile
ANA
Cholinesterase Tests
Chlorinated Pesticide Panel
Aromatic and Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Panels
Urine Metabolite Testing

Other Tests:
Fatty Tissue Biopsy
Double Blind Chemical Booth Challenge
Patch or Skin Testing
3 Camera/3 Dimensional SPECT Scan of the Brain
Venous Blood Gas
Breath Analysis
Pupilography
Heart Rate Variability
Thermography

How Chemical Sensitivities Are TREATED:

Avoidance
Oral and IV Therapy
Oxygen Therapy
Immunotherapy
Deep Heat Chamber Chemical Depuration
Creation of an Environment in Which Chemical Exposure is Minimized (Oasis)
Air Purification
Organic Food and Glass Bottled or Filtered Water
Masks with Charcoal Filters

The Environmental Health Center-Dallas is the world leader in the diagnosing and treatment of chemical sensitivities/allergies. This is reflected in the construction of the clinic itself, in the less toxic housing created for its patients, in the creation of chemical antigens, in the testing and treatment of chemical sensitivities/allergies, and in the less toxic construction of the deep heat chemical depuration chambers.

The Environmental Health Center is constructed with porcelain on steel walls, tile floors, and metal and organic cotton furnishings. All air in the clinic is purified with both HEPA and charcoal air filters which ensure removal of chemicals, particulates, pollen, dust and dust mites, and mold from the air. To provide accuracy of diagnosis, testing and treatment of chemical sensitivities it is absolutely necessary to provide a setting free of these contaminants. The Environmental Health Center-Dallas provides such a setting.

This theme of superior indoor air quality, free of chemical contaminants, is also provided in the area where the deep heat chambers are constructed. Their construction reflects this theme as the walls and floors are tile and benches are poplar wood with filtered incoming air entering the chamber and exhausted air flowing to the outside through a charcoal filter.

Nowhere is the purified air more important than in the skin testing rooms of the clinic. In order to effectively skin test antigens imprinted with chemicals, the setting must be free of all forms of chemical contaminants. This is achieved at the Environmental Health Center-Dallas not only through construction and air purification, but also through strict enforcement of rules regarding clothing, personal care products, and all items brought into the testing room.

The Environmental Health Center-Dallas is one of the only clinics in the world which provides patients with less toxic housing with HEPA and charcoal air purification, less toxic furnishings and filtered water sources. The purified air quality of the clinic and its housing brings another dimension into the treatment of chemical sensitivities. The fact of this environmental control allows the individual to unmask and develop an awareness of the chemical or chemicals associated with their symptomatology. This living and treatment in facilities with the best indoor air quality is in itself a beginning to detoxification, management of chemical sensitivities, and the road to recovery.

The clinic setting, the discovery of inciting agents of foods, pollens, molds and chemicals begins the education process of understanding the requirements necessary to achieve recovery from chemical sensitivities. The lesson of the creation of an oasis or one room in the home which replicates the standards of indoor air quality found at the clinic initiates treatment and improvement of sensitivities.

The intradermal skin testing and treatment with the chemically imprinted antigens is a unique capability of the Environmental Health Center-Dallas. Numerous chemical antigens are skin tested and treated, and this treatment coupled with avoidance can significantly decrease frequency and severity of chemical reactions.

An important facet in the understanding and treatment of chemical sensitivities is the determination of the cause of chemical sensitivities. The toxic body burden is assessed as a cause of chemical sensitivities. If a problem exists, the person is treated with exercise, massage, participation in the deep heat chamber chemical depuration program and with supplementation or both oral and IV nutrients.

Detoxification pathways can be evaluated. If it is found that a person is not effectively and efficiently metabolizing chemical substances, then a comprehensive program is implemented. Tests and evaluation of the Phase I and Phase II detoxification pathways enable the physician to create a comprehensive regime of nutrients which address the dysregulation of either or both phases.

Sufficient cellular oxidization is very important to the detoxification of the chemical body burden, the reduction of chemical sensitivities, and the implementation of the healing process. Venous blood gases are analyzed; and if found to be elevated, the person is advised of the benefits of the von Ardenne method of oxygen therapy. This is an 18-day program, the goal of which is the opening of the vasculature to tissues and organs. This aids the oxygen perfusion of the cells and organs and aids in healing those which could have been damaged by chemical exposures.

Chemical sensitivities can be diagnosed and treated simply or in depth. Minimizing chemical exposure is the background for the implementation of the other treatments of antigen therapy, reduction of the toxic body burden, and the administration of nutrients important to the detoxification process.

From sensitivity to avoidance, from testing to antigen, from exposure to detoxification, the successful treatment of chemical sensitivities and chemical exposure can be achieved through the patient tested programs of the Environmental Health Center-Dallas. Our goal is the attainment of optimal health. To achieve this we strive to create hope and provide knowledge and treatment so program success can be achieved.

Chemical Exposure/ Chemical Sensitivity

Among those treated at the Environmental Health Center-Dallas have been first responders with respiratory exposure to chemicals including but not limited to pesticides, herbicides, carbon monoxide, methane gas, and gas sources for heating both raw and combusted. Gulf War veterans have been successfully diagnosed and treated at this facility. Hurricane victims who have suffered mold and mycotoxin exposure have benefited from treatment programs. Workers involved in oil spill clean-ups have also shown significant improvement in their health with a reduction of symptoms after undergoing treatment at the clinic.

Diagnostic procedures can include the Brain SPECT Scan to determine the degree of involvement and effect chemicals have had on the brain. Thermography can be utilized to assess the total body for possible areas of inflammation and concern. Blood, hair, urine, and breath tests can be used to measure toxic body burden. Heart Rate Variability can evaluate the autonomic nervous system, physical fitness, stress level of the individual and relative health and adaptability of the cardiovascular system. Laboratory analyses can evaluate immune deficiencies or dysregulation. Nutritional analyses can determine if the gastrointestinal system has been affected by the exposure. Skin testing of the imprints of chemicals can assist in the diagnosis of chemical sensitivity and point to therapeutic modalities.

Treatments are individualized and vary in accordance with type of exposure, laboratory findings, findings of the history and physical, and symptoms presented for treatment. The first dimension of treatment is the clinical setting of the Environmental Health Center-Dallas. The control of particulate and chemical exposure through the construction of the clinic and its air purification system initiates treatment. The placement of the person in a less toxic environment allows freedom from exposure which enables the person to unmask and distinguish individual problem substances. This aids in directing treatment and in reduction of symptoms. Patients who choose to reside in our less toxic housing also experience the benefits of minimal chemical and particulate exposures. This enables recognition of individual triggers which leads to avoidance, treatment, and a better understanding of their disease processes.

The tiled deep heat chambers of the detox facility continue this management of chemical and particulate exposures. The chemical exposure victim engages in the therapy which includes exercise, nutrient therapy, deep heat therapy, and massage. The organ functioning and electrolyte balance of the person is monitored while participating in this program.

Laboratory analysis determines if the patient has elevated venous blood gases with suspected arterial deficiency in oxygen. If so, the need is established for the oxygen therapy program. This program is designed to increase tissue oxygenation and vascular perfusion. Added benefits are tissue healing and detoxification.

In many instances chemical exposure and chemical metabolism cause deficiencies and dysregulation in the immune system. Through testing of complements, immune globulins and T and B lymphocytes, it can be ascertained that immune therapy and the self-derived T lymphocyte immune modulator is needed to aid recovery.

Chemical exposure frequently leads to chemical sensitivity. The preservative free skin testing of imprinted chemical antigens can help with management of responses when exposed to specific substances such as perfumes, cigarette smoke, formaldehyde, car exhaust, wood smoke, and other petrochemicals.

If through lab testing, observation, and counseling it is suspected that the chemical enzyme detoxification system is deficient, oral and IV nutrients are administered. This nutrient therapy replaces electrolytes, serves as antioxidants providing cellular protection, and promotes tissue and organ detoxification.

Any and all of these treatment modalities continue for specific periods of time. However, immune therapy and detoxification therapy may need to be continued after the patient returns to their home environment. The home environment needs to be modified and made as free as possible of particulate and chemical contaminants to obtain best results from these programs. Food, water and air must be as pure and as free of chemicals as possible. A total lifestyle approach to chemical exposure is needed for recovery and optimal health to occur.

Recovery and successful treatment vary with length of exposures and damage done to organ systems. Recovery can be slow. Occasionally only modest recovery is seen if damage to health systems is extensive. Even though recovery can be slow, treatment can prevent a deterioration of the person's condition and perhaps prevent end organ damage.