EHA Ontario - Environmental Health Association of Ontario

Welcome to the Environmental Health Association of Ontario (EHAO -- Ottawa Branch)

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HEF - Human Ecology Foundation Canada

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For the latest information on the Safe Housing Ottawa project for environmentally sensitive individuals, please click here.

We are a non-profit, charitable organization which provides support and information to its members with environmental sensitivities. We also strive to raise awareness within the medical community, educational institutions and to the general public. Our goal is to also prevent further cases of environmental sensitivity from occurring.

Please download our English brochure by clicking here, et notre brochure française ici. And our poster can be viewed by clicking here.

Environmental Sensitivities can occur when people become sensitive to substances or phenomena in their everyday environment at levels well below what “normal” people would consider acceptable. Sensitivity reactions can be triggered by scented products, cleaning products, laundry detergents, paints, petrochemicals, cigarette smoke, pesticides, pets, plants, fuels, electromagnetic radiation, molds, foods, etc.

The effect of environmental sensitivities can be overwhelming. Productive people may suddenly or gradually become unable to tolerate offices, homes, schools, hospitals and public places. Despite skills and education, some people with sensitivities end up on social assistance. Many become socially isolated as they are forced to retreat from places and activities they love, and for some, the devastation extends to losing spouses, family and friends who may not believe they are ill.

This disability may be invisible, but it is real. Environmental Sensitivities have been recognized as disabilities by the Canadian Human Rights Commission and many provincial human rights commissions.

"Every Truth passes through three stages before it is recognized. In the first, it is ridiculed. In the second, it is opposed. In the third, it is regarded as self-evident."
-Schopenhauer

The purpose of EHA Ontario is to provide support and gain respect and understanding for the many men, women, and children suffering from toxic chemical injury (i.e. from pesticides, volatile organic chemicals, heavy metals, etc), Environmental Sensitivities and other related disabilities. We strive to create public awareness by providing education for the full recognition of environmentally induced illnesses, while promoting mutual respect between fellow human beings and encouraging all members of the community to participate and create a world in which there is no threat of toxic injury.

'Carbon Scrubbing' takes a step forward by following nature's lead. Klaus Lackner has developed 'artificial leaves' that use a form of plastic that is commonly seen in most popular water softeners, but when impregnated with sodium carbonate can extract carbon dioxide from the air... Read More

Environmental sensitivities create boundaries for everyday life - The recognition of environmental sensitivities as a disease also means people with MCS are protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act—employers have a responsibility to reduce the use of toxic products in the workplace, forgoing air fresheners or perfumes, for example, in exchange for opening a window.Read More...

What is the most environmentally friendly way to remove hair? - Caring about the enviroment doesn't mean you have to stop washing or grooming yourself.The main culprits for least environmentally friendly are commercial and home laser hair removers along with waxing.read more...

Exercising at Home to Avoid Environmental Sensitivities - Commercial gyms can be an unpleasant experience for people who Environmental Sensitivities, particularly those who react to perfumes. In this case it is highly recommended that sufferers workout at home, so get yourself a good rowing machine, or whatever is your preferred equipment and enjoy a pollutant free workout.

Les hypersensibilités environnementales peuvent survenir lorsque les personnes deviennent sensibles à des substances ou à des facteurs de la vie quotidienne et à des niveaux bien en deça de ce qui est considéré acceptable par des gens «normaux». Les réactions d’hypersensibilité peuvent être déclenchées par des produits parfumés, des produits de nettoyage, des détergents, des peintures, des produits dérivés du pétrole, de la fumée de cigarette, des pesticides, des animaux domestiques, des plantes, des solvants, des radiations électromagnétiques, des moisissures, de la nourriture, etc.

L’effet des hypersensibilités environnementales peut être dévastateur. Des personnes très productives deviennent subitement ou graduellement intolérantes à leur environnement de travail, à leur maison, à leur école, aux hôpitaux et aux endroits publics. Malgré leurs aptitudes et leur formation, certaines personnes ayant des hypersensibilités environnementales se retrouvent comme bénéficiaires de l’aide sociale. Plusieurs deviennent isolés socialement car ils doivent se retirer des endroits et des activités qu’ils aiment, et pour certains, le malheur s’étend à la perte d’un conjoint, des membres de la famille et des amis qui peuvent ne pas croire en la maladie.

Cet handicap peut être invisible mais il est réel. Les hypersensibilités environnementales ont été reconnues comme une invalidité par la Commission canadienne des droits de la personne et par plusieurs commissions provinciales des droits de la personne. Le but de l’ASEO est de fournir du support et créer du respect et de la compréhension pour les hommes, femmes et enfants souffrant par des dommages chimiques toxiques (des pesticides, des produits chimiques organiques volatils, des métaux lourds, etc.), hypersensibilités environnementales et d’autres maladies connexes. Nous faisons notre possible pour conscientiser le public en fournissant une éducation vers la reconnaissance totale de maladies causées par l’environnement, tout en faisant la promotion du respect mutuel entre les êtres humains et encourageant tous les membres de la communauté à participer et créer un monde où il n’y aura pas de menace de blessure toxique.

The contents of this EHA website, (i.e. text, graphics, images, and any other material) are for informational purposes only. The contents are thus not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other professionally accredited, qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or seen on the EHA site.

EHA does not recommend or endorse any treatment, test, procedure, product, opinion, service or other information appearing on this site or any other site to which it may be linked. Reliance on any of the aforementioned is solely at your own risk.