All of the "illnesses" listed by Donuel are now considered autoimmune diseases. There is considerable and increasing evidence and research showing that autoimmune diseases are environmentally induced: toxins in the air, water and/or food.

This is a special interest of mine due to my own encounter, ongoing, with multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS). There is considerable literature and a number of websites on the subject. In Connecticut, Nancy Alderman has spearheaded considerable efforts to eliminate some of the poisons in the environment. She has been working on it for over 20 years. All over the USA, and other countries, people are working toward this same goal.

Canada is somewhat ahead in getting rid of illness inducing chemicals, such as pesticides. A doctor in Nova Scotia has had a clinic to help people dealing with these problems for well over 30 years. At one point, I believe, he was threatened with expulsion from the CMA.

Only a few health care people are somewhat knowledgeable. They seem to be operating under the belief that these are figments of - women's - imagination; women are generally more susceptible. I spent four years trying to find help in the "health care system" before my friend finally took me in hand and put me through a regime that healed the worst of it in less than three weeks. The same regime, by the way, which has been used to help many of the 9/11 workers.

My friend, in PA, has been studying this since her son was poisoned with an organophosphate in grade 2, along with teachers and other students in the school where it was being used. He became learning disabled as a result and still (at 25) cannot read if he is exposed.

I am still hypersensitive to noise and light, esp. flashing lights/disco ball/etc. I also lost some of my auditory processing ability, making it difficult for me to participate in group. events. Prior to this, I was a newspaper reporter who could comprehend auditorily in groups as high as 300 and report accurately the content of meetings.

I can put people in touch with some of the sources of information on the subject of MCS. My friend who healed much of my difficulty is also helping others, including another of my close friends who suffered from severe "fibromyalgia" for ten years and is now able to hold a job and be a mom to her daughter.

This is both complex and very simple. The chemicals in our environment are causing everything from the above noted to cancers, heart problems, obesity and diabetes. Getting rid of those chemicals is difficult due to the corporate control of the government which precludes the EPA carrying out its job effectively. Getting the chemicals out of our bodies is not too complex but does require effort and knowledge.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp has a great deal of info on its web site on how to build and maintain healthy houses. A simple, good quality air cleaner can assist greatly as can drinking mainly distilled water. Above the Fold sends a daily newsletter online regarding many of the environmental problems around the world.

There are geographic clusters of these types of illnesses. There is a website which tells where some of these poisons are located. ETC.