Maybe not right forum, health & work environment question
Wondering if anyone here can give me a little guidance on workplace and allergy response. I count on DU and its smart membership.
I figured out finally today, what I think Im allergic to at work, thats been steadily building for 6 months.
The factorsits a corporate office. Its a department with specific objectives, resources & tools. Namely, apparel design. We handle a lot of materials and fabrics in our area.
Ive been working on home decornew to us. Home fabrics & textiles.
Have steadily felt more & more allergic over time but kept thinking it was internal circulation system, dust, the carpet, the carpet cleaning, etc.
have taken allergy meds, eye drops, & brought in an air purifier for my desk. Not working.
Today it was so bad my chest hurt, shallow breathing and the word asthma came into my head. Using google for this asthma at work, stumbled on occupational asthma.
And on the list of most common, is textile workers. Im a textile designer. Mind you, Im not in a factory, or mill, which is where this gets discussed most.
I see a dr Friday & anticipate being sent to ENT. (Went thru this & skin test with my allergy prone step-son years ago).
At least I can tell them my theory.
The fibers & fabrics for home textiles are different, & I have steadily increased in exposure. They are cut and swatches have more loose fiber. Home textiles are much bigger, and the quantity is bigger too.
My question iswhat if I am just allergic to my job? Is my employer responsible for anything around environment, given its not a factory or mill environment-with flying fiber, & dust from cutting or processing tons of fabric. Its a corporate office.
Its not like I suspect mold.
I believe it is the tools Im using to do my job.
Can I ask to move areas? Do something with less exposure ? I cant be in a bubble.
(noticed in researching textile worker environment they can test for an IGa response, and a skin prick for cotton & synthetic. Will ask my dr about this.)
Could it end up being just my problem? Maybe after 35 years, have gotten to this place?
Its not extreme immersion, anyone doing what I do would be required to handle fabrics.
Im sure there are mitigating options. Will start with a mask tomorrow.
Just, if end up deemed allergic would probably stop doing this work. Am close to retirement, & would consider this very critically.
Today I left the floor i work on for 20 minutes to try to stop near-wheezing, essentially. Overall it was so bad, started planning how to quit.
***Im the only one currently with this issue, to my knowledge.
Its just so crazyam possibly allergic to my vocation?! Then what.
Thanks all in advance for any advice. Meet with my director Wednesday. Need to be smart about my conversation.
elleng
(136,043 posts)It's both your problem AND theirs, and they should help you resolve it, imo, You're not, I suspect, allergic to your VOCATION, but to some of the tools you've been using.
leighbythesea2
(1,216 posts)Am in michigan. Its not right to work anymore.
MichMan
(13,156 posts)That's all it means. It has zero to do with "at will" employment.
Not understanding what it would be applicable to here.
leighbythesea2
(1,216 posts)It did affect at will employment. My industry is well know for firing people for having a bad meeting. In the past, so its an interesting culture.
My husband works with GM, and he seemed to think it did have an impact on non-union places. Possible I misunderstood.
MartyTheGreek
(677 posts)-Check for mold. I had black mold once and a nearly non stop cough caused by a leaky air conditioner created mold around the window frame.
-Are you wearing a dust mask? Other PPE available?
-Is your workspace or office moldy?
-Did you move recently? Moving may introduce you to mold.
elleng
(136,043 posts)just learned mold may aggravate some of my discomforts.
MartyTheGreek
(677 posts)Nutritional Healing Center of Ann Arbor, MI You can become a remote patient...
elleng
(136,043 posts)leighbythesea2
(1,216 posts)Thanks so much for linking this. !
Its definitely something to investigate. Could try some of these, its not going to hurt.
Am at home, am always better here.
Assumed mold had to mean water nearby, but maybe its that or more than 1 thing.
Wouldnt be surprised, as they dont regularly clean. Sorry to sayits very weird. I guess before covid they vacuumed every night. No one ever cleans. We do ourselves. But I dont have a vacuum.
leighbythesea2
(1,216 posts)I can ask around. We sit in the middle of the floor, not near windows, or walls.
Could it be in the ceiling or floor? Under carpet? But no dampness that am aware of.
Our kitchenette area nearby doesnt allow real usage. It has a sink & a fridge, but we arent allowed to truly use it like a kitchenette. (But still theres a line to the ice maker).
MartyTheGreek
(677 posts)leave it for a week and look at it with a magnifying glass for fibers / particles etc. Keep researching your industry health harms and practices.
I'm not an expert.
leighbythesea2
(1,216 posts)Good idea. Ty.
leighbythesea2
(1,216 posts)But just about 15 feet over. Last week. Thought it might help. No.
People in both spots near me.
One person does wear a mask, in new area. but I thought it was her overall health. I know her well enough to ask her if shes experienced anything like I have.