Should we be concerned about children?
As with many illnesses, children seem to be more sensitive to non-specific chemical reactions than adults. Although some of the documented cases suggest the individual developed MCS later in life, most of the case studies indicate that there were significant exposures to chemicals during childhood. There are several reasons that children seem more susceptible to chemical sensitivity than adults. Children's bodies do not have as many detoxifying enzymes as do adult bodies. Children spend more time outdoors which may expose them to a variety of chemicals in different media such as air, water, or soil. Children breathe more air per pound of body weight than do adults. Additionally, children eat and drink more than do adults per pound of body weight.