How Spaces and Materials Influence Well-Being
Have you ever had to decline a plan because the place you were going made you feel unwell, even if you weren't quite sure why? Have you felt out of place in public spaces, not due to shyness, but because of a real physical sensation that prevents you from enjoying?
For many people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS), these situations are not exceptional: they are part of their daily lives. MCS is a condition that transforms the ordinary into a challenge. Enclosed spaces, common materials, cleaning products, or even air fresheners can trigger physical symptoms that affect their health and well-being. And when this happens, access to something as basic as leisure —that time dedicated to enjoyment, rest, or gathering— becomes an obstacle course.
In this article, we will delve into how building materials, the condition of interiors, and the lack of adaptation of environments affect the right to leisure for people with MCS. We will do this based on verified scientific evidence, interviews with professionals committed to bioconstruction and environmental health, and with a focus on concrete solutions to transform spaces into truly accessible places. Because well-being is a right for all people, regardless of their sensitivity.
"It's not about adapting people to spaces, but transforming spaces so that all people can fit in them."
— Adaptation of universal accessibility principles
The Impact of Materials and Interior Environments
When we talk about accessible leisure for people with MCS, it's not enough to think about inclusive activities or removing visible barriers. There is a less evident, but profoundly determining dimension: air quality, the materials that surround us, the finishes of a space, the products used to clean it, or even the furniture. What goes unnoticed by most can be the trigger for a health crisis for those who live with this sensitivity.
Therefore, before discussing solutions, it is essential to understand which physical elements of an environment can generate discomfort and how we can detect and minimize them. Let's start with the most structural: the materials and substances they release.
"Environmental health is not a privilege: it is a right that is still not guaranteed for all bodies."
— Inspired by movements for environmental and social justice
Construction and Furniture Materials
One of the major challenges for people with MCS is that the triggers of their symptoms are often integrated into the most basic of spaces: the materials. What shapes, colors, and structures our environment can constantly and often imperceptibly release chemical compounds that are highly harmful to those with this condition.
Among the main culprits are the volatile organic compounds (VOCs), a group of chemical substances that easily evaporate at room temperature and are present in a wide variety of construction and decoration materials. Some common examples are:
- Paints, varnishes, and lacquers: They can release formaldehyde, toluene, xylene, and other VOCs that remain in the air for days, weeks, or even months after application.
- Treated woods and particle boards: Many particle boards, MDF, or plywood use synthetic adhesives that release irritating gases. Even natural woods can be problematic if they contain tannins or other compounds that react with the environment.
- Adhesives and sealants: Used in floors, coatings, windows, or furniture, they often include volatile solvents that can be particularly persistent in poorly ventilated interiors.
A study published in Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives highlights that individuals with MCS report symptoms even at concentrations considered "safe" for the general population, and that repeated exposure in domestic or work environments can have a cumulative impact on their health (Miller & Prihoda, 1999).
The key is not only to eliminate a specific product but to understand that many of these substances act in synergy, creating an environmental "toxic burden" that can exceed the tolerance of a person with MCS. Therefore, built environments without criteria for environmental health, even if aesthetically impeccable, can be uninhabitable for a portion of the population.
"Listening to the body is the first step to designing a world that does not harm."— Inspired by the integrative health approach and conscious design
The Importance of Sensitized Professionals
It is not enough to choose "natural" or "ecological" materials without an expert and empathetic perspective that understands the specific needs of individuals with MCS.Manu Gayete, a carpenter committed to bioconstruction, expresses it clearly: _not everything natural is necessarily harmless_.
In their daily work, they encounter woods that, despite being of organic origin, contain tannins or other compounds that can cause adverse reactions. Therefore, their approach is not limited to aesthetics or sustainability, but focuses on the real biocompatibility of each material, valuing alternatives such as metal or other neutral elements when necessary. They accompany the client not only in the technical execution but also in a process of active listening and continuous adaptation.
Having professionals like them —trained, sensitized, and with the capacity for empathy— makes the difference between a beautiful space and a truly livable space for someone with SQM.
"Knowledge is power... but knowledge without empathy does not transform."
— Phrase inspired by Peter Drucker
Space Adaptation: Measurement and Evaluation
When it comes to creating safe environments for individuals with MCS, we cannot rely solely on intuition or general standards. We need precise data, continuous evaluation, and expert insight. This is emphasized by Juan Antonio Rivera, an expert in environmental measurements. His dual role—technical and experiential—allows him to approach each space with a deep understanding of what is at stake.
Rivera emphasizes that every intervention should begin with a rigorous environmental diagnosis: identifying invisible sources of contamination, measuring electromagnetic fields, volatile compounds, suspended particles, and other key environmental factors. But he also insists on the importance of follow-up, as only by comparing the measurements before and after is it possible to verify that the adopted solutions are actually working.
Without this verification, any intervention is a blind gamble. And for those living with MCS, there is no margin for error.
"What is not measured cannot be improved."
— Peter Drucker
Leisure and Public Spaces: Challenges and Solutions
Challenges in Public Spaces
Individuals with MCS face significant challenges when participating in leisure activities in public spaces due to various factors, such as:
- Use of conventional cleaning products that may leave chemical residues on surfaces and in the air.
- Presence of perfumes and air fresheners, very common in enclosed spaces like cinemas or theaters, but also in stores and restaurants.
- Building materials and furniture that emit VOCs or contain allergens.
These factors, seemingly harmless to most, can trigger in individuals with MCS a cascade of intense and debilitating physical symptoms. It is not just a temporary nuisance, but reactions that can include persistent headaches, mental fog, dizziness, nausea, difficulty breathing, extreme fatigue, and even anxiety attacks induced by chemical exposure.
These episodes not only affect their health, but also force them to leave spaces, isolate themselves, or systematically give up leisure and social life.
In a world that is not designed for them, many people with MCS are forced to choose between their well-being and their right to participate. And this should not be a choice.
"True inclusion does not start with adapting activities, but with understanding what excludes."
— Anonymous
Strategies for Inclusive Leisure
Promoting accessible leisure for individuals with MCS involves much more than good intentions: it requires a conscious planning, based on criteria of environmental health and respect for sensory diversity. Some essential strategies include:
- Fragrance-free spaces: Establish clear regulations that limit or prohibit the use of perfumes, air fresheners, and scented products.
- Non-toxic cleaning: Replace conventional products with natural alternatives, free from VOCs and added fragrances, with specific protocols.
- Cross ventilation and clean air: Ensure good air circulation and, when possible, install appropriate filtration systems.
- Refuge Zones: Quiet spaces, with certified materials and no emissions, for resting or taking shelter.
At an international level, some initiatives like The Natural Place (U.S.) demonstrate that it is possible to create leisure environments designed from scratch for individuals with environmental hypersensitivities, combining bioconstruction, natural surroundings, and environmental accessibility.
Designing spaces like this is not just a technical issue: it is an act of environmental justice..
"A healthy environment should not be an exception for anyone, but the foundation from which to build community."
— Statement inspired by principles of universal design
To conclude…
Participation in leisure activities is essential for well-being and quality of life. However, for individuals with MCS, environments and materials can pose significant barriers. It is crucial to promote awareness and adaptation of spaces, both private and public, to ensure that everyone can enjoy leisure without compromising their health.
Verònica Martín
Co-Founder of ATÍPICS