chemical sensitivities

[BarbaraRose]

I have always had some sensitivities with chemicals, cigarette smoke, perfumes, etc. But lately, it seems to be getting worse.
I have a couple issues about that at work now and not sure what to do about it. The girls (and manager) have been mopping the floors a lot lately because of all the crud that comes in on peoples boots from snow, salt, sand, mud, etc. They are using something with ammonia or bleach, both of which make my throat burn and start to close up, and my eyes and nose burn from it. I usually have to go outside or in the back room for awhile until it dissipates. However, I can't do that if it is busy like this morning. I came in to work and my boss had just cleaned the floors and I could barely breath but we got really busy so I had to work thru it. I am also really bothered by the clippercide that we use to spray our equipment with (I rarely use it myself). Some of the girls spray that like they are spraying a hornets nest! The other day one of the girls was redoing one of her acrylic nails in the break room (she used to be a nail tech) and I couldn't go in there with that smell either. (This is why I don't work in a full service salon).

I have told my manager and the other girls that I cannot be around those chemicals but they don't seem to take me seriously. Now tonight, my eyes are really hurting and I have a splitting headache. I get dry eye syndrome from smoke and chemicals occasionally too, and I think that is what is going on now. Very painful.

I just don't know what to say to get them to take this seriously. I know the floors need to get cleaned and we are supposed to spray our equipment, but there must be a way to do that without bothering me so much or using more tolerable chemicals. Should I try to get a doctors note explaining it? What else can I do?

[JudyJB]

I have many of those same allergies. Technically per OSHA, an employer is supposed to keep copies of material safety data sheets for all cleaning chemicals but I doubt if a small business even knows about these.

The only thing I can suggest is a personal closed-door meeting with the owner. There are cleaning products that have no perfumes or harsh chemicals so you are just going to try to convince her somehow how
Miserable this makes you feel.

You might also try loud coughing to make your point.

[MandysMom]

I have the same problem and sympathize. I agree with Judy, a closed door meeting. If you can get a Dr note it might help. For the safety of all less problematic cleaners should be used. It's only a matter of time before sensitive clients complain. Maybe do some research in your industry about green cleaners others use. There must be some as green is in these days, thankfully. Wishing you all the best in this because it's not easy.
Velda

[BirdbyBird]

When I was an administrator I had several staff members with chemical sensitivities. Clorox was one that could set the one teacher aid off into an asthma attack. One of the teaching subs had multiple sensitivities included aerosol anything. There are ways around it for health and safety. I hope that they will work with you. They have been so supportive compared to your experiences in CA, etc.

[JudyJB]

You might try some products out and bring some samples in to work.

[Redetotry]

Oh Barbie, welcome to my world. I became chemically sensitive from working in the Art Department at the University here back in the mid-ninies. Of course back then everyone thought I was just nuts but eventually they did allow me to work from home and they did clean up a lot of the really bad (read banned) chemicals. They would relabel them or take them home with them when OSHA was coming... but now most people are pretty much aware of how many physical and mental confusion many product on the market cause. If you can talk to your manager and ask her to read the MSDS carefully maybe you can convince her that everyone who works there and the customers are being harmed.

Bladder infections and bladder cancer, repeated respiratory issues, headaches/migraines and mental confusion are only some of the symptoms. Research has shown that the high insidence of lung cancer in women who don't smoke is directly related to the chemicals they use to clean their homes. No one seems to believe the warning labels on cleaning product. Vinegar is a very effective disinfectant and why people think they need to buy an expensive arsenal of toxic products to 'clean' with is beyond my understanding. The fragrance industry is totally unregulated and they do not have to reveal their ingredients. I attached a link that explains the hazards of the products that are in most products containing fragrance, not just perfume. Laundry products really bother me, they just scatter my brain. There have been studies done regarding dryer sheets and ADD in children. Dryer sheets are banned from being vented outside in some communities in CA. The other issue you might point out to her is that over 25% of the population are sensitive or have asthma, so her use of these products are hurting the shops bottom line.

Another point is, when DH had bladder cancer the first question the doctor asked him was did you work around chemicals and were/are you a smoker. He said those are the biggest risk factors. He did smoke when he was younger and worked in the Art Dept. for 35 years.

Oh, and those people who thought I was nuts back in the nineties are now some of the most rabid environmentalist, eating organic and buying filtered water. Also many schools now have regulations on what kind of cleaning products they can use.

http://www.healthy-communications.com/p ... ers97.html

You might want to just pay attention and make a list of all the symptoms your co-workers have, then point out to them and the manager that everyones health is at risk.

It is not an easy life being chemically sensitive. There are many stores where I can't shop, friends homes where I can't visit, I have to find a hairdresser willing to come to my home or come to their shop early to get my hair cut. I can't have a perm or use hair spray, new furniture has to be aired for months, etc etc...over the years I am better or else I just have learned to control my environment.

If I can help with more information let me know, there are many organizations and research articles out there and also safe, effective cleaners.

[Bethers]

I have them, too! People simply don't understand chemical sensitivities - and they aren't considered an allergy. Not sure why. That said, I can't be around most perfumes at all - none of them are naturally made, all are chemicals now. Everything seems to have chemical scents added - and they simply aren't good for us. A friend's allergist said that the chemicals that are being used today are probably the cause for the dramatic increase in asthma in children - added to the fact they don't get any immunity by being in natural air - ac or heat almost always, everywhere. BJ gave a lot of great info - there is actually a city hall, I forget where, that no longer allows any scented chemicals in products used in the offices or on any employees because of an employees sensitivities. Unfortunately that is not the norm. One of my sister's doctors office does not allow anybody to use scented products on themselves - working there or patients - and it's right on their door.

I feel for you. I still can usually work around a lot of it - but live with headaches much of the time - which I then have to try to determine if it's a sinus headache or was I around too many chemically scented products. I actually had to change seats a few years back at a show in Branson because of the scented product a person sitting behind me was wearing. It was so bad, I couldn't have stayed the show otherwise. They were great about moving me.

Keep talking to them and bring up the fact that there are natural ways to clean, etc. But, unfortunately, you are in an industry with scented products that might not make it easier for you. Good luck!

[JudyJB]

It is also a matter of ventilation. I had problems at my dentist office until they replaced their AC system and brought in more outside air. Previously I had coughed so much that the dentist had to hook me up to oxygen so he could fill a tooth. Another time I had to wait next to a diesel ambulance that was transporting a patient from the physical therPy office. By the time I got inside I was having a full asthma attack and had to be given oxygen while I kept using my inhaler. I could not stop coughing and could not catch my breath.

A lot of people believe these airborne allergies are not real. My allergies are why I bought a new RV. I cannot even rent a car that has been smoked in. And my allergist calls them allergies because they cause my asthma.

I think Mine were set off 30 years ago when I worked in the offices of a factory that used something called cutting oil. There was an oil haze so you could not see from one end of the factory to the other. I had to often walk through it to get to other offices, especially engineering. I can still smell it.

Perhaps they could improve ventilation with a ceiling fan and opening a door when they clean. Is there a vent in the bathroom that vents outside?

[BarbaraRose]

I had the same issues at the shops in California, but we could open the front and back doors to ventilate the place (while I stood outside for awhile). During the winter here, opening the doors is not an option, so I go stand outside if I can but the odors take a lot longer to disappear with little to no ventilation. We don't have any fans because they would just blow the hair all over.

I will talk with my manager privately and if nothing is improved, I will talk to the owner. But it would be helpful to have something to back me up. Do you think my doctor would write a letter for me? The company has to go along with any doctors recommendations, I believe.

[avalen]

chemical sensitivities is covered under the American Disabilities Act
http://employment.findlaw.com/employmen ... ation.html
a note from your doctor would certainly not hurt

[Cudedog]

Interesting topic, this morning.

I am blessed with a very acute sense of smell, and I have been unable to tolerate strong chemical smells (including perfumes, detergents, the works) for many years. The problem is, for the majority of the public that does not have these sensitivities they don't believe they exist. There is a woman in my office that often comes to work smelling as though she has bathed in perfume. When the office supervisor nicely tries to mention this to her, she becomes offended! As though it was somehow the sufferer's fault that she smells so strong! I have even been told that "I don't have any perfume on, if you can smell it there must be something wrong with your nose". Yeah, right.

I love film, but now only go to the movies on an early matinee when there is likely not to be too many people in the theater because of the smells. I have had the experience of paying $12.00 for a movie ticket, only to have to leave after a short time because the woman in front of me smelled like a chemical factory (I'm sure she thought she smelled good, to me she smelled awful).

It is said that dogs have more neurons in their brains devoted to smell than humans have devoted to sight. I often wonder how dogs manage in human households that are smokers, or who are in love with artifical scents.

I can't believe people actually use these plug-in-the-wall perfume dispersers! UGH!!

Forget about smokers. One of the reasons (among many) I bought my van is because nine times out of ten when one books a "non-smoking" room there will have been someone smoking in there in the no so distant past. I first walk in, it stinks. Cigarette smoke stink = no sleep all night. I have even booked "non-smoking" rooms that had ashtrays in them!!! What is it with people who smoke cigarettes? With my van no one will ever smoke inside of it while I own it!!

I really don't get it. People are so inconsiderate and clueless. When I am around strong smells my eyes tear up, my sinuses clog, and my nose starts to rum. If I don't get away, the asthma symptoms then start. It is unpleasant in the extreme. I can't use any product that is scented - this includes shampoo, bar soap, laundry soap, dish soap. If I use laundry soap that has any kind of scent my clothes itch so bad when I put them on that I have to take them off again and put them through another rinse cycle.

Good suggestions here - a diluted vinegar wash does make a good all-purpose cleaner, and the smell doesn't bother me at all.

Also, plain old Dawn dishwashing detergent is pretty awesome (but it must be "Dawn" brand). I use it for everything - washing dishes, cleaning up spills, mopping floors (when it is really diluted). I even use Dawn to do my laundry - and have used it for my laundry for many years. It has very little smell, and is a wonderful cleaner. My clothes come out sparkling!

ADA - American's With Disabilities act (good suggestion, Ava!) definitely look into it. The law was passed to help workers.

Here is another suggestion: get an inexpensive HEPA air purifier for your work station. These take in the air, run it through filters, then exhaust the air out the other side. I bought one for my desk at work several years ago, and it has been a godsend. They really do work. Since my mother was a hairdresser, I do understand about the blowing hair problem, but the exhaust air from these is not that great, and you might be able to aim it where it won't blow hair.

They come in all price ranges, from inexpensive on up. This is a later model to the one that I have ($34.00):

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Holmes-Desktop-HEPA-Air-Purifier/14590699

Do a Google search on "HEPA Air Purifier". These things really do work. Maybe your boss could get a large one that would work for the entire shop, rather than a small one for just your workstation.

Hope this helps. If I am suffering in an office environment, it must be a hundred times worse for you in a hairdresser shop. I symphatize!

Good luck!

Anne

[dayspring39]

Oh Barbie in my younger days I have been guilty of not being sensitive to those that could not stand scents of any kind... it started with my mother who blew out of proportion anything... I just learned to ignore her and others like her... I understand better now...
You have to work amongst many chemicals just to earn a living with no scents being added... go in with confidence and a gentle spirit... I like the idea of vinegar for cleaning... it would save the shop money and do the job..
I trust you will find an answer to this serious situation...

[BarbaraRose]

I talked to my manager the other day about this. I told her I am willing to buy a steam mop for the floors with my own money to solve this issue. She told me that the owner wouldn't allow us to use that. I asked why not? She said because the laminate floors aren't supposed to get wet! I reminded her that we are getting them wet by spraying water and chemicals on them now, and the steam evaporates before it gets into the flooring. The Great Clips in California had the same floors as we do, and steam mops were the only things we were allowed to use on them.

I could never work in a full service shop with all the color chemicals and nail chemicals. We do perms, but not very often and they don't bother me that much. I do get bothered by perfume and smoke from my customers tho!

I have what is called Vasomotor Rhinitis, which is a hyper sensitivity to chemicals, odors, humidity and temperature changes, etc.

[MandysMom]

When we installed Pergo Laminate in our living room, I was curious about its vulnerability to moisture because we have animals and had two young adult sons here. I took a chunk of laminate about 2 in by 4 in and dropped it into a mason jar of water. I kept looking at it all that day and saw no sign of damage, so I left it looked at it daily for a while, still nothing. Then I forgot about it. When I came across it about three months later I pulled the piece out. It was slightly swollen. I laid it on a few paper towels on my desk. Within a few days it appeared almost normal. Could barely see a difference. Ask her if they have any pieces for repairs or know exact brand and style. Do your own test and show them. But I will say our laminate directions did say no steam. I think it's to protect their liability. It has been proven in university study that spraying peroxide ( regular 3% stuff you buy at drug store) followed in a few min by spraying dilute vinegar on surfaces is a very effective germicide and won't hurt floor or counters. I wrote the researcher a number of years ago asking if it made any difference which you sprayed first and she said no, just spray and let sit a few min then dry or air dry.
I think ths cute brochure was written by the same university.
http://research.utep.edu/Portals/72/Res ... atives.pdf

And here,is Dr Sumners original article which had been,published in Science magazine. JUdy Stouffer is a MS trained scientist who has also shown the same two, peroxide and vinegar can cure toenail fungus!

http://www.michaelandjudystouffer.com/j ... inegar.htm
Velda

[Colliemom]

Barbie,

Having worked with cleaning chemicals during my years at the state park, I know where younger coming from. One of the things we never used was bleach. And over time we switched to more environmentally friendly products. You might point out to your supervisor that using bleachand some of the other stuff may cause your customers to get sick as well especially if somebody has asthma. For all your supervisor knows, they may even be repelling customers because of it. Or, maybe you will need to find another line of work, sorry to say. Eventually you will need to get away from those chemicals.