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Letter: 2002 toxic chemical incident at Canadian aviation facility never properly investigated

Feb 272011

The actual number of people poisoned and injured at the Canadian aviation facility is unknown as no one has spent the time to find out. Let’s launch a letter writing campaign to Prime Minister Stephen Harper asking him to help the people who were hurt by this corporate irresponsibility and are now being ignored by the government of Canada.

Help support the aviation workers chemically injured in 2002: Send a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Harper about the lack of justice at the hands of the Labour Program.

Letter by Rob Neis.

Rob Neis

In the morning hours of March 17, 2002, a hazardous chemical release/exposure incident occurred at an aviation maintenance facility in western Canada. This single incident changed the lives of five people and their families forever.

Safety is self-regulating in aviation companies in Canada. In this case, the company did write investigative reports and submit them to the proper authorities. However, there was important information missing from these reports. The authorities missed that and simply did not respond. As a result, incidents such as what took place on March 17th were allowed to reoccur repeatedly and employees were exposed to these hazardous products without intervention.

The actual number of people poisoned and injured at this facility is unknown as no one has spent the time to find out. During a phone conversation with one injured worker in 2006, a Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) claims adjudicator mentioned the number of disability claims they were dealing with was at 30. Since that time the number of individuals coming forward has grown considerably. Current estimates run between 50 and 70 people who should be on full disability.

I have a letter I’d like to ask readers of The Canary Report to copy and email to the Prime Minister of Canada about the people who were exposed to the toxic chemicals at the aviation facility in 2002, and where there has been no enforcement of existing laws to protect workers. Mistakes were made and as a result people were seriously hurt.

The purpose of the letter is twofold. First, to make the government aware that it is publicly known they made errors while handling this situation. Secondly and more importantly, to get help for the people who were hurt by this corporate irresponsibility and are currently being ignored by the government of Canada.

If you live in Canada, please copy, paste and send the first letter (you’ll find the template below). If you live outside Canada, please use the second letter. Make sure to include your name and address; your phone number is optional.

Please send letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper with a cc to Labour critics Member of Parliament Maria Mina and Member of Parliament Chris Charlton. (Contact info is included in the letters.)

Feel free to send the letter anywhere else you’d like; we do need your support.

Thank you,

Rob Neis
DTOX Radio

~~~

Use this letter if you are a resident of Canada.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Fax: 613-941-6900
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca

CC:
Member of Parliament Maria Mina
Email: Minna.M@parl.gc.ca

Member of Parliament Chris Charlton
Email: Charlton.C@parl.gc.ca.

Re: Canada Labour Program

Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper,

I am writing to express extreme dismay about hazardous chemical practices in a self regulated aviation industry that took place at Cascade Aerospace 2002, leaving many permanently ill and unable to work. Because a mistake was made during the initial investigation and never properly addressed by the Labour Program, the injured former employees are unable to receive Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) payments.

After reading the article on the DTOX Radio website, I learned that in March 2002 hazardous chemical products were incorrectly used on a Boeing 737 in the Cascade Aerospace building. Paint stripper was applied with high pressure paint guns, causing the product to become airborne. Several employees become violently ill both in the immediate area and throughout the building. Nine years later, the employees exposed that day remain permanently incapacitated and entirely unsupported by the government of Canada or other relevant agencies.

I used to feel that I lived in a safe and supportive country where my rights AND health were protected. As a Canadian, I am deeply alarmed to learn that my fellow citizens can be severely injured on the work site and left to fend for themselves without appropriate government assistance. I am even more alarmed by the idea of a self regulating industry that clearly doesn’t understand the effects of chemical exposure.

I urge you to right this terrible wrong and revisit the original incident. The remedy for the injured workers continues to be denied due to mistakes that were made by government agencies.

They need your help.

For more information, visit DTOX Radio at http://www.therobnetwork.com/

Sincerely,

[Your name and address (phone number is optional)]

~~~

Use this letter if you live outside Canada. If you are not in the United States, you will need to change “American” to your nationality in the third paragraph.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2
Fax: 613-941-6900
E-mail: pm@pm.gc.ca

CC:
Member of Parliament Maria Mina
Email: Minna.M@parl.gc.ca

Member of Parliament Chris Charlton
Email: Charlton.C@parl.gc.ca

Re: Canada Labour Program

Dear Prime Minister Stephen Harper,

As an American and after reading what you have allowed to happen to your citizens, I don’t find visiting or doing business with your country as appealing as I did before. I am deeply alarmed to learn that you allow your citizens to be severely injured on the work site and left to fend for themselves without appropriate government assistance. I am even more alarmed by the idea of a self regulating industry that clearly doesn’t understand the effects of chemical exposure.

I urge you to right this terrible wrong and revisit the original incident. The remedy for the injured workers continues to be denied due to mistakes that were made by government agencies.

They need your help.

For more information, visit DTOX Radio at http://www.therobnetwork.com/

Sincerely,

[Your name and address (phone number is optional)]

~~~

City of Portland, Oregon, strives for a scent-free workplace

Posted by Susie

Feb 222011

The new policy will be classified as an “advisement,” but if a worker complains about a coworker wearing scent, a ban will be imposed for that work group.

Anna Kanwit, assistant director at City of Portland Human Resources

KGW.com, Oregon, reports Portland leaders approve anti-scent policy in city offices.

The new policy will be classified as “an advisement,” but if a worker complains about a coworker wearing scent, a ban will be imposed.

“If an employee comes forward with a sensitivity, then it’s a ban for that work group,” says Anna Kanwit, assistant director at City of Portland Human Resources.

But don’t you just love the people in the video who don’t give a dink about people’s health? I especially love the guy who says, “People should just learn to cope with things that might annoy them.” Oh yeah, I always get so annoyed when I can’t breathe or think properly because of someone’s toxic fragrance fumes.

It’s so sad that the city worker who supports the ban felt she had to stay anonymous with her statement.

By the way, YAY for unions working on this issue!

AFSCME union spokesman Rob Wheaton said they’ve been in talks with the city over the issue for years.

“If someone has a legitimate bonafide allergy to a perfume it does create some serious consequences for them,” Wheaton said. “Likewise on the other end of it I think employees can kind of get annoyed by not being able to wear perfumes, but overall this ordinance that they’re passing just codifies what’s already an existing practice.”

Health study on effects of Gulf oil well blow out about to launch; Chemical Sensitivity Foundation seeks people who have developed MCS

Posted by Susie

Feb 212011

Alison Johnson, chair of the Chemical Sensitivity Foundation, is looking for people in the Gulf of Mexico region who were exposed to oil or dispersant during the BP blow out and have since developed Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

Workers clean up Mississippi beach after BP oil well blow out, July 2010.

Workers clean up beaches after BP oil well blow out, July 2010.

Nola.com reports that a health study on effects of Gulf of Mexico oil spill revs up.

A division of the National Institutes of Health is nearing the launch of what researchers say could be a potentially ground-breaking study on the human health effects in the aftermath of an oil spill.

The study aims to interview 55,000 people along the upper Gulf Coast who have had varying levels of exposure to crude oil and the dispersant Corexit in the months following the Deepwater Horizon explosion last April. The target is cleanup workers and those who had direct exposure to the crude and dispersant.

Alison Johnson

Alison Johnson, chair of the Chemical Sensitivity Foundation, left a comment on the article. She’s looking for Gulf region citizens and workers who developed Multiple Chemical Sensitivity after exposure to the oil and/or dispersant Corexit.

As chair of the Chemical Sensitivity Foundation, I would like to suggest that those exposed to the BP oil spill or Corexit were put at significant risk for developing not only cancer, respiratory problems, and other diseases but also for developing multiple chemical sensitivity (MCS), a condition in which people react to everyday chemicals like those in perfume, air fresheners, cigarette smoke, household cleaners, auto exhaust, pesticides, paint, etc., with symptoms like headaches, respiratory problems, muscle and joint pain, and extreme fatigue. In my book “Amputated Lives: Coping with Chemical Sensitivity,” I trace the development of MCS among Exxon Valdez cleanup workers, Gulf War veterans, 9/11 First Responders, and Katrina victims housed in toxic FEMA trailers. See my website, www.alisonjohnsonmcs.com for the books and documentaries I have written or produced on MCS. I would be interested in hearing from anyone exposed to the oil or dispersants who has developed MCS. Alison Johnson

Contact info:

Alison Johnson
MCS Information Exchange
4 Wren Drive
Topsham, ME 04086
207-725-8570
info[at]alisonjohnsonmcs.com

Bio from her website:

Alison Johnson, BA., M.A., is a summa cum laude graduate of Carleton College and studied mathematics at the Sorbonne on a National Science Foundation Fellowship. She received a master’s degree in mathematics from the University of Wisconsin, where she studied on a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship. Johnson has produced and directed documentaries titled Multiple Chemical Sensitivity: How Chemical Exposures May Be Affecting Your Health, Gulf War Syndrome: Aftermath of a Toxic Battlefield, and The Toxic Clouds of 9/11: A Looming Health Disaster. She has also edited a book titled Casualties of Progress: Personal Histories from the Chemically Sensitive and has written books titled Gulf War Syndrome: Legacy of a Perfect War and Amputated Lives: Coping with Chemical Sensitivity. The latter contains chapters on the health problems affecting the workers who helped clean up the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the soldiers who developed Gulf War Syndrome in the 1991 war, New Yorkers exposed to the toxins released by the World Trade Center collapse and fires and residents of FEMA trailers post-Katrina.

Mississippi beach photo credit

South Australia includes Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in new disability access guidelines

Posted by Contributor

Oct 042010

The South Australian Government’s Department for Transport Energy and Infrastructure has completed guidelines for disability access to government buildings that include Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

By contributor Harry Clark, President, MCS Society of Australia, Inc.

Australian flag, blue with the union jack and white stars.

Flag of Australia

Harry Clark, with a beard, short hair, and smiling. He has a filter mask loosly hanging around his neck, ready to wear if he needs to.

Harry Clark, President, MCS Society of Australia

With all speed please share this far and wide, everybody needs to know about this most important development of international significance: South Australia is a global hot spot for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity policy advancement. The South Australian Government’s Department for Transport Energy and Infrastructure has completed guidelines for disability access to government buildings that include Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. Checklist questions include non-toxic renovating products, avoiding pesticides and toxic cleaners, and ensuring that the building is smoke and fragrance free.

Part 3 of the guide provides a checklist of the likelihood of low level atmosphere contaminates within the building environment, with the objective to minimizing contaminate exposure levels to persons with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity so they are not undeservedly affected. (NOTE: A recent survey by the Department of Health that assessed the prevalence of MCS and chemical sensitivity in the South Australian community found 1% had been medically diagnosed with MCS and 16% reported chemical sensitivity.)

The South Australian Government’s Department for Transport Energy and Infrastructure has completed guidelines for disability access to government buildings that include Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.

The guide “provides a checklist of the likelihood of low level atmosphere contaminates within the building environment, with the objective of minimizing exposure levels to persons with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity”.

Checklist questions include non-toxic renovating products, avoiding pesticides and toxic cleaners, and ensuring that the building is smoke and fragrance free.

You can download the guidelines here.

Harry Clark

President
MCS Society of Australia, Inc.
Email: MCS-Society-of-Australia@bigpond.net.au

Founder
MCS News Australia, an online social network for people with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity

Danish report explores Multiple Chemical Sensitivity policy in 11 European countries

Posted by Contributor

Jun 302010

Here is the English translation of a Danish report on Multiple Chemical Sensitivity policy in 11 European countries.

By contributor Harry Clark, President, MCS Society of Australia, Inc.

Cover of Danish report translated by Harry Clark, et al.

The Danish Health Ministry recently released a report about measures being taken by 11 European countries to address Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). Please find attached an English translation of the document, entitled Measures Taken by European Countries for Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, which I have translated with the kind assistance of several people. I extend my thanks to Sandra, Monika, Mervi, Martine and Charlotte for their invaluable assistance with translations, corrections, proofing and suggestions. I also wish to thank Martine who brought the Danish report to my attention.

Please check Eva Caballe’s blog, No Fun, and Mariajo Moya’s blog, Mi Estrella de Mar, for subsequent Spanish translations.

SUMMARY OF REPORT

In many countries around the world, there are fascinating and important developments occurring in the realm of MCS. Yet, much of this knowledge is unintentionally restrained behind veils of the different languages used. These veils that partition MCS knowledge and restrict its flow need to be actively pushed aside so that we can all freely share in the full and developing body of MCS materials. Translations, like the one in English presented here of the Danish Health Ministry’s report, are of great importance because they enable MCS knowledge to spread further afield, which in turn empowers all of us as we engage in the challenge of improving the lives of people who have MCS.

The Danish paper represents an important snapshot of current MCS thinking and activity in Denmark and 11 other European governments. It reports on a pioneering conversation between governments. It is not full of news or attitudes that are the absolute best for those of us with MCS, but there are plenty of threads of opportunity and hope. I suggest this report reflects conversations on MCS that are occurring within some European countries and also in some offices of the European Parliament. Clearly those who wish to dismiss MCS have lost some influence, otherwise this Danish report would not exist.

To briefly summarize the Danish report:

Only two countries, Germany and Austria, recognize MCS as a physical disease on their ICD disease registers. In Germany this means a sick leave note and perhaps sick pay may be available, but confusingly they say that MCS is not explicitly recognized as a disease in Germany and that it is not recognised as an occupational disease there. To add to the confusion, in Austria a person disabled by MCS will likely be diagnosed as having a mental disorder in order for them to have the opportunity to gain a pension.

Three countries– Finland, Sweden and Germany– recommend perfume and strong detergents be avoided in the public sphere; including for example hospitals, kindergartens, schools and after school care.

Six countries– Finland, Luxemburg, Nederland, Sweden, Germany and Austria– follow the European Union Directive on labelling for cosmetics. Germany particularly mentioned that sensitising agents need to be listed on a products label. Britain labels according to other EU environmental legislation. Denmark says it labels all cosmetic products with declarations of their contents such that people with allergies can avoid products they might react to, but does not say what law or directive it follows.

France, while not identifying MCS as a special strand of study, is setting up a number of systems and studies to obtain information on Electromagnetic Sensitivities and to collect records of people who suffer symptoms that appear to be allergy related but are not proven to be allergies. They are looking at the biochemical status of 20,000 children in a longitudinal study. Allergies and their prevention is a specific focus of the Environment and Health Plan for 2009-2010.

The Västra Götalands region of Sweden put in place a region-wide Fragrance-Free Hospital policy in 2008 that covers 17 hospitals. Also, the Swedish EPA says that sustainable development requires the reduction of the inconvenience brought about by chemicals to people who are already hypersensitive. However they have suggested no measures to achieve this.

The Federal Agency for the Environment in Germany generally recommends that those with MCS should not be socially excluded.

Luxembourg’s environment ministry has a campaign to promote the use of organic laundry detergent and cleaning products and warns against adding fragrances that don’t aid the cleaning.

Harry Clark

President
MCS Society of Australia, Inc.
Email: MCS-Society-of-Australia@bigpond.net.au

Founder
MCS News Australia

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues indoor air quality policy for all CDC offices nationwide

Posted by Susie

Apr 072010

This is arguably the strongest and most important toxic chemical-free and fragrance-free policy in existence for the workplace.

CDC′s Roybal campus in Atlanta, GA.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a federal agency under the Department of Health and Human Services, recently issued a policy on indoor air quality that will affect all CDC offices (owned, leased and rented) and more than 15,000 employees nationwide. Among a host of indoor air quality standards, the policy includes specific guidelines restricting the use of fragrance in cleaning and personal care products.

Housekeeping Guidelines

CDC will ensure that products used in the workplace, such as soaps, cleaning products, paints, etc. are safe and odor-free or emit low levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the fullest extent feasible. Only green cleaning products shall be specified and used within CDC facilities and leased spaces unless otherwise approved by the Office of Health and Safety. [...]

Non-Permissible Products

Scented or fragranced products are prohibited at all times in all interior space owned, rented, or leased by CDC. This includes the use of:
• Incense, candles, or reed diffusers
• Fragrance-emitting devices of any kind
• Wall-mounted devices, similar to fragrance-emitting devices, that operate automatically or by pushing a button to dispense deodorizers or disinfectants
• Potpourri
• Plug-in or spray air fresheners
• Urinal or toilet blocks
• Other fragranced deodorizer/re-odorizer products

Personal care products (e.g. colognes, perfumes, essential oils, scented skin and hair products) should not be applied at or near actual workstations, restrooms, or anywhere in CDC owned or leased buildings.

In addition, CDC encourages employees to be as fragrance-free as possible when they arrive in the workplace. Fragrance is not appropriate for a professional work environment, and the use of some products with fragrance may be detrimental to the health of workers with chemical sensitivities, allergies, asthma, and chronic headaches/migraines.

Employees should avoid using scented detergents and fabric softeners on clothes worn to the office. Many fragrance-free personal care and laundry products are easily available and provide safer alternatives.

Further, the policy extends to enforcement. Within the document itself is clearly stated the process by which an employee may file a report about air quality problems through a questionnaire, and further still, who is responsible for overseeing the investigation:

Building occupants who experience irritation or symptoms that may be related to the quality of indoor air should notify their supervisors, and the OHS or local Safety Officer to initiate a complaint. BFO must also be contacted upon initiation of a complaint, to identify and/or review any potential structural, maintenance, or heating, ventilating or air conditioning (HVAC) issues. Building occupants must also complete the Indoor Air Quality Questionnaire (see Attachment B) in order to properly document the complaint. Each IEQ complaint poses a unique set of circumstances that will determine the investigative procedures used to resolve each IEQ concerns.

Office of Health and Safety/Designated Safety Officer Administers the Indoor Environmental Quality Program and serves as the primary coordinator and investigator for reported incidents involving IEQ hazards or conditions; educates CDC supervisors and workers; develops report findings and recommendations for corrective action; and reviews and updates to meet future needs and regulatory changes.

You’ll also be happy to see that there is a section on pest control. Although it’s not perfect, it’s far safer than the hazards many workers endure with ubiquitous application of hazardous pesticides, usually performed without notice: “Pest management, for both buildings and lawn care, will emphasize non-chemical management strategies whenever practical, and the least-toxic chemical controls when pesticides are needed. Integrated Pest Management practices must be utilized.”

Coming from the CDC, this is arguably the most important toxic chemical- and fragrance-free policy in existence for the workplace. In the words of former CDC director Dr. Julie Gerberding, the agency is charged with confronting “the challenges of 21st-century health threats.” It looks like the current CDC director, Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, believes this responsibility covers not only the general public, but CDC’s own employees and workplaces as well.

Creating nontoxic work environments is not just good for employees’ health, it’s good for the bottom line, too. Workers who are not being slowly poisoned by toxic chemicals on the job can think clearer, work more efficiently and be more productive. Employees who suffer toxic chemical sensitivity, asthma and other respiratory ailments will take less sick days. People who are prone to developing health problems triggered by toxic chemicals will be safer; in fact, everyone who works in CDC buildings will now be safer.

For those of you with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity who are currently battling it out with your employer over hazardous chemicals in your work environment, in addition to discussing your rights to safer accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you might want to print out this new CDC policy and give copies to your boss, your CEO, and your human resources director. Explain to them that the experts at CDC understand that indoor air quality is greatly compromised by a host of toxic chemicals, including those from cleaning products used by maintenance personnel and personal care products used by employees. Tell them that this recent CDC policy is indicative of the way trends are going, and any company getting on board now will be spared future costs caused by condoning an unsafe environment for employees.

This policy is incredibly good news– use the clout and expertise of this CDC policy to strengthen your arguments for a toxic chemical- and fragrance-free work environment.

Here’s the pdf of the policy.

Here’s the pdf of the questionnaire to be used when CDC employees file a complaint about air quality.

Thanks to Harry Clark for obtaining these documents from CDC and for sharing them so freely!

Open tabs

Posted by Susie

Mar 212010

Reports and pages I’ve been exploring this weekend:

The EPA urges families to lock up household chemicals and pesticides. No mention about eliminating toxic chemicals from the home in the first place to remove the danger completely. Listen to this: “Leading causes of poisoning include cosmetics such as perfume and nail polish, deodorant and soap, household cleaning products and medications.” Did you know perfume, nail polish, deodorant and soap are LEADING causes of child poisoning? WAKE UP, PEOPLE! Get those toxic chemicals out of your house! Here’s the EPA’s page on Prevent Poisonings in Your Home; again no mention about elimination or alternatives.

I love Paul Tukey‘s blog SafeLawns.Blog. Paul is the founder of SafeLawns.org, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation. He’s also executive producer of the award-winning documentary, A Chemical Reaction, which can be found at www.pfzmedia.com; the movie chronicles the origin of the anti-pesticide movement sweeping across Canada and into the United States.

Shine reports on the woman who was awarded $100K because her employer did not provide her proper accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act when her co-workers’ perfume and the office air fresheners made her ill. I’m disgusted at the media for the way this story’s been reported: I’ve read at least 50 reports on this story and not one has mentioned that perfume and air fresheners contain toxic chemicals and that it was the toxic chemicals that made the woman ill, not the “stink” or “chemical-smells.” I think this report here at The Ohio Employer’s Law Blog has the most interesting perspective I’ve read yet about the case:

The focus in ADA cases has shifted from the legal argument of whether an employee’s medical condition rises the level of an ADA-protected disability, to the factual issue of whether the employer reasonably accommodated that disability.

Dr. Andrew Weil answers a question about the use of clay treatment for healing fibromyalgia. Fibromyalgia is in the same group of illnesses as Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

I was delighted to discover Annie Leonard’s blog The Story of Stuff Project. If you haven’t seen her Story of Stuff videos, you must!

Harrison Medical Center, Washington state, has a scent-free policy.

Nirvana Safe Haven has the most comprehensive list I have ever seen on scent-free organizations and policy. Good resources there for anyone trying to implement scent-free policy in churches, schools, public venues and more.

$100K awarded to woman with chemical sensitivity denied proper accommodations at work

Posted by Susie

Mar 102010

Woman with chemical sensitivity awarded $100K for being denied proper accommodations at work; her coworker’s perfume made it difficult for her to breathe.

Modern perfume contains known toxic chemicals that can cause serious cognitive and respiratory problems in people with chemical sensitivity.

On Point reports a Detroit city planner with an allergy to perfume is savoring the sweet smell of legal success after the city agreed to pay her $100,000 and be more sensitive to the chemically sensitive.

The agreement -– obtained by On Point through a public records act request — settled Susan McBride’s lawsuit under the Americans With Disabilities Act which alleged the City of Detroit failed to reasonably accommodate her allergy after she complained that a co-worker’s perfume made it difficult for her to breathe.

Some critics attacked McBride for being overly sensitive and abusing the court system. But many workplaces are now perfume-free and a judge in November 2008 denied the city’s motion to dismiss, ruling McBride could proceed with a disability claim “based on the major life activity of breathing.”

As part of the settlement, which the parties signed last month, the city will post a notice on bulletin boards in its offices announcing that “Our goal is to be sensitive to employees with perfume and chemical sensitivities”

Let’s hope it sets precedent for future cases. If you have Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and are having trouble with your employer giving you proper accommodations, you might like to share the agreement with them. This is an access issue, the same as any other disability protected under the ADA.

Photo credit

Guest Blog: The risk of developing Multiple Chemical Sensitivity from exposure to photocopiers and laser printers

Posted by Guest Blogger

Feb 132010

Some persons suffering from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity may have developed their conditions or worsened them due to exposures to the toxic chemicals given off by photocopiers and laser printers in their office jobs.By guestblogger M.R.E.

The following is information for the readers of The Canary Report concerning potential risks of exposure to photocopiers and laser printers. I have suffered a devastating respiratory condition from exposure to these types of machines, and so I am trying to raise awareness about this health hazard to hopefully receive feedback and get in touch with other persons who suffer the same.

Due to exposure to photocopiers and laser printers, I have suffered a devastating respiratory condition which produces in an extreme degree: difficulty for breathing, chest pain and oppression, fatigue, cough, mucosal dryness, inability to sneeze and plenty of disturbances in the throat, nose, mouth, eyes, skin, stomach and other systems plus an extreme, lasting intolerance to all chemicals in the air. After a lot of troubles it was diagnosed in two university hospitals as non-specific bronchial hyper-reactivity and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity (MCS). The syndrome was caused by the irritant vapors released by a photocopier and a laser printer in my jobs and this appears very obvious from the full details of my story, too long for this page. Although my illness was initiated within 24 hours of intense exposure to these gases, it has not been officially recognized as occupational for any purpose. As many other sufferers with MCS, I have lived a nightmare of sickness and social neglect, but thanks to my family, who financially and psychologically supported me, I did not fall into marginality and eventual tragedy.

From my own experience of nearly three decades with this problem I see that the following points should be carefully taken into account:

More blogging canaries

Posted by Susie

Feb 092010

I’ve discovered a couple more blogs by canaries!

On her blog After Gadget, Sharon blogs about life after the loss of her beloved service dog Gadget. After Gadget is a new blog with only a few posts, but if you get hooked like I did, you’ll read every page and then subscribe so you don’t miss the next entry!

Along with Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, Sharon also suffers myalgic encephalopathy (ME), also called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) or chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome (CFIDS). Her bio is here. An excerpt from the page about how MCS affects her life:

In my case, the low-level, constant exposure to the sick building was the initial trigger. If I had recognized what was happening and taken steps to lower my toxic burden, I might have regained my health and not become disabled. Instead, I moved into an apartment with freshly painted walls, bought cheap pine furniture (which is usually imbued with fungicides, insecticides, and formaldehyde), and then painted the new furniture. My symptoms increased in severity and number, and still I didn’t see the connection. Being so ill, I was forced to stay home from work and from teaching; I didn’t know this was the nail in the coffin of my health. The ancient gas stove and furnace in my kitchen and living room were leaking. As a result, I suffered several months of low-level, chronic carbon dioxide poisoning. By the time I found a doctor who diagnosed me with MCS and told me to shut off my gas, I’d developed severe MCS and CFIDS/ME.

Here’s Gadget delivering a message for Sharon to someone in another part of the house:

Because Sharon has speech disabilities, when she lost Gadget, she also lost this way of communicating with others in her home, which increased her sense of isolation and loss. But she’s adapting to life after Gadget, and while her heart still mourns for him, she’s also looking forward to bringing home a puppy in the very near future.

~~~

Faith at An Ocean of Joy gave The Canary Report two shout outs, so nice of her! First post here and second here. In the more recent, she explores biochemist Martin Pall’s MCS research. Faith has mast cell problems, and through process of elimination, has recently come to the conclusion that she has Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. I’m not familiar with mast cell problems, so I welcome the education I’m getting from her blog on that topic.

Pall explains how mast cells can be triggered by the cycle in the context of MCS, which may be of interest to anyone with Mast Cell Activation Disorder. In addition, he lists the 6 genetic polymorphisms associated with a susceptibility to MCS, including the UGT1A1 polymorphism associated with the heretofor ‘benign’ Gilbert’s Syndrome.

The way out of the cycle, according to Pall, is to reduce nitric oxide levels in the body, and he presents an experimental treatment protocol designed to do so.

Thanks for the education, Faith!

Older Entries

City of Portland, Oregon, strives for a scent-free workplace

Health study on effects of Gulf oil well blow out about to launch; Chemical Sensitivity Foundation seeks people who have developed MCS

South Australia includes Multiple Chemical Sensitivity in new disability access guidelines

Danish report explores Multiple Chemical Sensitivity policy in 11 European countries

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues indoor air quality policy for all CDC offices nationwide

Open tabs

$100K awarded to woman with chemical sensitivity denied proper accommodations at work

Guest Blog: The risk of developing Multiple Chemical Sensitivity from exposure to photocopiers and laser printers

More blogging canaries

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