Clinical ecology

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Clinical ecology refers to physicians who believe that exposure to certain chemical agents can result in physical damage, causing multiple chemical sensitivity and a variety of other disorders. Clinical ecologists often have a background in the field of allergy, not toxicology, and their theoretical approach is derived in part from classic concepts of allergic responses, first articulated by Theron Randolph, leading them to find cause-and-effect relationships or low-dose effects that are not generally accepted by toxicologists.[1] There has been much resistance in the medical community to accepting their claims.[1]

Clinical ecologists are certified by the American Academy of Environmental Medicine, which Theron Randolph founded in 1965 as the Society for Clinical Ecology.[1] Theron G. Randolph published a number of books on Clinical Ecology and Environmental Medicine. [2] [3] [4]


[edit] Criticism

Clinical ecology is not a recognized medical specialty.[5] Critics of clinical ecology charge that multiple chemical sensitivity has never been clearly defined, no scientifically plausible mechanism has been proposed for it, no diagnostic tests have been substantiated, and not a single case has been scientifically validated. The theories and practices of clinical ecology have been severely criticized by the American Medical Association[6], the American College of Physicians,[7] the Canadian Psychiatric Association, the International Society of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology,[8] the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology,[9] and the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.[10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Federal Judicial Center, Reference Manual on Scientific Evidence, second edition, 416-17 (2000).
  2. ^ Moss, Ralph W.; Randolph, Theron G. (1980). An alternative approach to allergies: the new field of clinical ecology unravels the environmental causes of mental and physical ills. New York: Lippincott & Crowell. ISBN 069001998x. 
  3. ^ Randolph, Theron G. (1987). Environmental medicine: beginnings and bibliographies of clinical ecology. Fort Collins, CO: Clinical Ecology Publications. ISBN 0-943771-00-5. 
  4. ^ Randolph, Theron G. (1962). Human ecology and susceptibility to the chemical environment. Springfield, Ill: Thomas. ISBN 0-398-01548-1. 
  5. ^ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez ACOEM position statement. Multiple chemical sensitivities: idiopathic environmental intolerance. College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine
  6. ^ AMA Council on Scientific Affairs. Clinical ecology. JAMA 268:3465-3467, 1992.
  7. ^ Terr AI. Clinical ecology in the workplace. Journal of Occupational Medicine 31:257-261, 1989.
  8. ^ Board of the International Society of Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology. Report of the ISRTP Board. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology 18:79, 1993.
  9. ^ Anderson JA and others. Position statement on clinical ecology. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology 78:269-270, 1986
  10. ^ Position Statement on Multiple Chemical Sensitivities: Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance. American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, April 26, 1999


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