Research

Prevalence data

There is no official prevalence data for diagnosed cases, but self-reported chemical sensitivity is quite common. A 2019 study by Anne Steinemann found 16.3% of people in the UK reported chemical sensitivity, with 27.8% sensitive to fragranced products. Another survey across four countries found 19.9% reported chemical sensitivity, though only 7.4% had a formal MCS diagnosis.

Early Immune System Research in Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS)

Taskforce update, November 2025

  • A historical overview of early immune research in MCS (not as current clinical guidance).

  • Emphasise that these findings were exploratory, decades old, and not widely adopted in mainstream medicine.

  • Acknowledge that no recent research was found to confirm or refute these older findings.