Occupational air quality

[raiden_nrl]

I was hoping to grab some advice from you guys. I have been experiencing a boat load of weird symptoms for the past year and a half. The symptoms that I've been experiencing are getting progressively worse. I've been checked for allergies, I've tried antihistamines that do nothing. The doctors sent me for a CT scan, and blood tests that came up clear. So he wanted to treat me for depression, put me on ADD medication to help with concentration and energy. I'm getting frustrated because I'm an extremely happy person, I've been to three doctors and they think it's all in my head.

I have had chronic sinus problems and head pressure that don't seem to clear up, atleast one nostril is always completely clogged with congestion. I went to an ears, nose and throat specialist who fixed a deviated septum, but the congestion remained. The ENT said whatever was causing it was environmental, and couldn't help me further.
I'm chronically tired, I just feel completely drained all the time. It doesn't matter how much sleep I get. My body feels like it's fighting something off. The ADD medication does help, but seems to run my body down. The day after I find it doesn't work as well and I feel even more exhausted.
My eyes burn and water constantly, and my eye sight has become blurry.
I enjoy working out, but found lately I become fatigued way faster and have shortness of breath... ANYWAYS

I have recently become suspicious of my workplace as I started reading up on sick building syndrome. I assumed I was the only person experiencing these symptoms, that's why I didn't question it at the beginning. Upon discussing this with a few other employees that have been employed about the same amount of time as me, they report having nasal congestion, blurry vision, burning dry eyes and post nasal drip while working and usually clears up after a few days.

I work in a large plant, where we process high density polyethalene. We process it at 380-420*f, which creates smoke. There is only some relatively small dilution ventilation systems with inlet and outlet air which seems to just spread it around the plant. Inside the plant you can plainly see a haze of smoke and employees complain of odours and smoke comes out where they are working. They have done one air sample and the only thing they checked for was formaldehyde, which was in acceptable levels. This is from the MSDS:

At elevated temperatures (>350°F, >177°C), polyethylene can release vapors and gases, which are irritating to the mucous membranes of the eyes, mouth, throat, and lungs. These substances may include acetaldehyde, acetone, acetic acid, formic acid, formaldehyde and acrolein. Based on animal data and limited epidemiological evidence, NTP, IARC (2A), and OSHA have listed formaldehyde as a probable human carcinogen. Following all recommendations within this MSDS should minimize exposure to thermal processing emissions.

No respiratory protection is normally required. If heated material generates vapor or fumes that are not adequately
controlled by ventilation, wear an appropriate respirator. Use the following elements for air-purifying respirators: Organic Vapor and Formaldehyde. Use a positive pressure, air-supplying respirator if there is potential for uncontrolled release, exposure levels are not known, or other circumstances where air-purifying respirators may not provide adequate protection.

So my question is, what do I do? Ive been exposed to these substances for more then two years, and no air tests have been done. There have been complaints and they aren't taking it seriously. Is there a doctor in Calgary that specializes in occupation diseases, that can help me prove what's going on and run tests?

Thanks for the help.

[theken]

Call oh&s and ask for them to do an air quality test. If it passes get a new job. If it fails they have to make it pass

[Mitsu3000gt]

I went from a building with HORRIBLE air quality, to a brand new one where the air in everyone's office is completely replaced every 90 seconds.

My symptoms were nowhere near as severe as yours, but my nose would get a little stuffy, and I would feel tired all the time. Generally just not motivated at all.

In the new building, I feel WAY more alert, I have more energy, and my stuffy nose is gone. I am sure it was the air quality/ventilation change.

I would get an air quality test. No job is EVER worth compromising your health.

[Hamann]

I'm pretty sure I know exactly where you work and I'm guessing that "$80,000" Air system they installed didn't help shit

I was starting to experience all the same problems, I found a new job and seriously within a couple weeks I was feeling back to 100%

Obviously not the most helpful advice but getting the fuck out of there is your best bet.

[Tik-Tok]

OP it's been a month, but have you gone to OH&S. They take this kind of thing pretty seriously. If you have enough co-workers experiencing the same symptoms, it's time to go to them.