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Mold Exposure Illness

Sent to Health Experts July 11, 2006 2:00 a.m.

Hello, I am exposed to high levels of mold at my job. My job is sitting in a basement that is filled with medical supplies in cardboard boxes, disposable covers for nurses, rubber gloves and any cotton material, etc. Also, there are about 200 cardboard boxes filled with medical charts of patients that have to be held for 20 years. This is my job. The smell is very obvious, but for some reason, no management level has initiated concern for my health. In the past, I requested a humidifyer to which I was told I don't need one because the basement was tested and it is not at high levels of mold. (notice that there choice of words ... not high level.. indirect admittance that levels did show). I sit in the basement going through the patient charts, sitting right next to all the medical supplies. Every time it rains, the odor is enormously smelly of mold. My throat becomes red hot sore. I get irritable. I loose my balance. I have been exposed to this for over a month on a daily basis. I don't know what to do. They've already told me that there is no dangerous levels, but they are not concerned about my health. The other fear is that there is no other work for me. If I complain and they remove me from the work, they may tell me that they have to let me go for lack of work. My question is: what can I do to eliminate health risks? I read that lung cancer can occur if exposed in high levels. I am exposed daily to levels that "I" believe is toxic. What is a N-95 mask and will that remove the sore throat and vomiting? I fear that if I tell my employer of my vomiting, they will only say the vomiting is related to something else. But I only vomit and have sore throats after being at work. Friday night I rid my body of flem, cough continuously until the junk is removed from my throat. I have no symtoms the entire weekend. Then on Monday I go home with a sore throat and it has gotten so bad that I now vomit from a sick feeling in my throat and upper chest area. Please help tell me what should do. Would a doctors visit do any good?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)

Status: Closed Value: $9

Answer
July 11, 2006 2:34 a.m. (34 minutes and 30 seconds later)

ACCEPTED

You are obviously suffering from sensitivity to the mold in the environment. Some people are actually quite allergic to it and that may be your situation but then you may be in an environment that truly is toxic and needs to be cleaned up for the general good of all people.

Unfortunately OSHA, which is the governmental agency that oversees the safety of workers in all areas of work does not give specific instructions to employers at this time for general working environments, only for what they term "remediation" efforts....... which is when they are trying to actually clean up a sight from mold contamination.

I have 2 suggestions. First do seek a consultation with a doctor about allergies to mold and they very likely will be able to give you some medications that will help you greatly with your symptoms.

If this does not help (or while you are taking this step) you may want to make an anonymous phone call to OSHA and ask them if they would do an inspection of your work sight to find out if your employer is following all rules regarding your safety. OSHA is not allowed to share with anyone who actually made the complaint or request for an inspection and they will be very helpful on their first visit to the facility sharing many helpful manuals and suggestions on how to make your working environment more healthful and pleasant.

I hope that this helped you!! If there are any other questions feel free to ask.

Please accept my answer on the upper right hand corner of this box and a favorable feedback would be so much appreciated!!!

Thank you!
DrAustin

DrAustin -- Dentist (DDS or equivalent) -- No feedback on 7 Health accepts
Doctor of Dental Surgery 20 + years experience

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