Assessment Tools

Although there is currently no official diagnosis for MCS/TILT/DELTA, several validated questionnaire instruments are available for assessing various aspects of environmental sensitivities or intolerance.

The Quick Environmental Exposure and Sensitivity Inventory (QEESI) is a widely used screening instrument for multiple chemical intolerance. Coupled with a comprehensive exposure history, it is useful in diagnosing MCS/TILT/DELTA. Developed by Dr. Claudia Miller and her colleagues, QEESI has been used by researchers and clinicians to document symptoms and intolerances in exposed individuals and groups in whom MCS/TILT/DELTA is suspected. Individuals find the QEESI helpful for self-assessment and screening.

Other available assessment tools include:

• Chemical Odor Intolerance Index (COII): a rating system for five substances (pesticide, patin, perfume, car exhaust and new carpeting) on a 5-point scale, regarding frequency of odor-related sickness
• University of Toronto Health Survey (UTHS): asks about information on general health status, relevant demographic characteristics, and explores the linkage of 171 symptoms to environmental exposures
• Chemical Sensitivity Scale (CSS): quantifies the degree of negative reactions and behavioral disruptions caused by odorous environmental substances
• Chemical Odor Sensitivity Scale (COSS): an 11-item screening scale for assessing strong responses to the odor of common environmental chemicals
• Idiopathic Environmental Intolerance Symptom Inventory: assesses the prevalence and attribution of 27 most commonly reported symptoms in five categories, with regard to environmental exposures and sources
• Environmental Hypersensitivity Symptom Inventory: covers a broader range of commonly reported symptoms, including non-specific building-related symptoms, sound intolerance and intolerance to electromagnetic fields
• Environmental Symptom-Attribution Scale (ESAS): quantifies the degree of health symptoms attributed to specific environmental exposures and sources using a 7-point category scale

(Reference: Dantoft TM, Andersson L, Nordin S, Skovbjerg S. 2015. Chemical Intolerance. Current Rheumatology Reviews. )