I'm a 26 year old male. I started having bad symptoms in November of 2003. The symptoms are major fatigue/exhaustion 24/7, severe short-term memory loss, and low concentration. I've been trying to figure out what is causing these symptoms, but I haven't been able to so far. I can't work right now or go back to college, cause the symptoms are so severe.

In the town I live in, there is a chemical plant right near me. It has gotten in trouble with the law a bunch of times for putting too much vinyl chloride into the air. In fact, they have been listed as either first or second in the whole US for several years in a row, for putting the most amount of vinyl chloride into the air. This plant was recently closed down, but the toxins are still at the site and will be there for who knows how long until it's cleaned up.

Also, there is a landfill in my town which adds to the toxins in the air. Plus, there is a nuclear power plant right outside my town. I'm not sure if the nuclear power plant is responsible for a substantial amount of toxins or not. But anyway, there have been studies going on in my town concerning the very high cancer rate, compared to other areas. Some deer that were spotted near the chemical plant had tumors on them. Some animals have been born deformed. A cat of mine died some years ago because it had a tumor right in it's mouth. The vet said that was a rare occurence for a cat to have a tumor in that area.

I was wondering if there is anyway to tell if the chemical toxins in my town could be causing, or at least contributing to my illness? Any opinions on my situation? Thanks.

Yes, chemicals could be your problem! I am suffering some of the same symptoms and my doctor is going to test me this coming week. I use to live between two chemical plants and haven't felt well since.

The only thing I know about the test is that it is a specialized blood test. I'll post later in the week when I have more information. In the meantime, I suggest that you find an integrative MD. Someone, who is trained to examine and treat you for exposure to chemicals.

Lu

My new Dr. (N.D.) tested me for everything, including heavy metals. Found out I was off the chart for mercury, arsenic & lead. (showed up on hair analysis)

He's recommending chelation. Feels unless you get the toxins out of your body, we won't improve our health no matter what we do. Probably the best Dr. I've run into after 25 years of illness.

LIGHT**************carole

Yes, chemicals could be your problem! I am suffering some of the same symptoms and my doctor is going to test me this coming week. I use to live between two chemical plants and haven't felt well since.

Lu

Strange, thousands have worked their working lifetime in petrochemical plants without any problems. I spent 32 years, almost everything we produced or used in the process was listed by EPA as an hazardous material. I breathed them and many times had some of it all over me. I never know anyone that had a problem while working in the plants. In fact, one the plants I worked in consumed 150,000 gallons of pure Benzene a day. EPA says Benzene causes cancer in rats.

I suppose there is some people that are allergic to chemicals as to other things, example some folks are allergic to peanuts.

Strange, thousands have worked their working lifetime in petrochemical plants without any problems. I spent 32 years, almost everything we produced or used in the process was listed by EPA as an hazardous material. I breathed them and many times had some of it all over me. I never know anyone that had a problem while working in the plants. In fact, one the plants I worked in consumed 150,000 gallons of pure Benzene a day. EPA says Benzene causes cancer in rats.

I suppose there is some people that are allergic to chemicals as to other things, example some folks are allergic to peanuts.
The chemical releases inside plants are not the same as what is expelled from the plant into the air and into nearby waters.

The chemical releases inside plants are not the same as what is expelled from the plant into the air and into nearby waters.

Not the same??? So explain how does it change composition into something more hazardous.

Benzene does react with other chemicals in the air and breaks down within a few days.

The only difference in the releases in the plant and the air is the quantity. The permissible exposure limit of 1 part of benzene per million parts of air (1 ppm) in the workplace during an 8-hour workday, 40-hour workweek. In the atmosphere it is a billion times less and what there is breaks down in a few days.

There are many people in the world that are affected by chemicals. It's not just some rare allergic reaction.

I have the same symptoms plus and have been dianosed as haveing multiple chemical sensitivies

If I were you, I would be moving if at all possible. Just think how long it has been causing problems before they started to notice it. Now that they have found problems and there have been years and years of exposure, what is that going to mean for the people that have been exposed all of their lives? It's a really scary thought. Kind of reminds of the movie Erin Brockovich.

On a different note, you should also be concerned with the chemicals right in your home. According to the EPA, the air inside homes is 70% more contaminated than outdoor air. Switch to safer, nontoxic alternatives. There are many companies that offer excellent alternatives at very reasonable prices. ;)

I have the same symptoms plus and have been dianosed as haveing multiple chemical sensitivies

Just curious, what have you done for that condition?

Have you considered that you may have a problem with your thyroid gland? the symptoms are very similar to the ones you described.
hope you feel well soon