ABSTRACT
This chapter defines each of the postulates of the toxicogenic theory. Each postulate is then criticized in terms of the rationality of the underlying logic, as well as the scientific constructs to which it alludes. By analogy, the identification of the alleged triggering chemical agent is superfluous to the toxicogenic theory. This limits empirical evidence to symptom report, because the chemical agent appraised to be the stressor is left to the perception of the patient or the clinical ecologist. The putative offending environmental exposure is said to create a priming effect called "sensitization". Once an individual is sensitized, a hypersensitivity reaction occurs to subsequent, low-level chemical exposure. A fascinating demonstration of sensitization at the cellular level was presented in an unpublished study reported by Djuric and Bienenstock. Threshold variability is postulated to explain an environmental illness patient's inconsistency of response to environmental agents upon repeated exposure.
