Maybe not right forum, health & work environment question

[leighbythesea2]

Wondering if anyone here can give me a little guidance on workplace and allergy response. I count on DU and it’s smart membership.

I figured out finally today, what I think I’m allergic to at work, that’s been steadily building for 6 months.
The factors—its a corporate office. It’s a department with specific objectives, resources & tools. Namely, apparel design. We handle a lot of materials and fabrics in our area.
I’ve been working on home decor—new 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. I’m a textile designer. Mind you, I’m 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 is—what if I am just allergic to my job? Is my employer responsible for anything around environment, given it’s not a factory or mill environment—-with flying fiber, & dust from cutting or processing tons of fabric. It’s a corporate office.
It’s not like I suspect mold.

I believe it is the tools I’m using to do my job.
Can I ask to move areas? Do something with less exposure ? I can’t 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?
It’s not “extreme” immersion, anyone doing what I do would be required to handle fabrics.
I’m 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.
***I’m the only one currently with this issue, to my knowledge.
It’s just so crazy—am 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]

1. Seems to me you can certainly ask to be moved.

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]

2. I hope so

Am in michigan. It’s not “right to work” anymore.

[MichMan]

12. RTW only means allowing people represented by unions having the option to opt out of joining

That's all it means. It has zero to do with "at will" employment.

Not understanding what it would be applicable to here.

[leighbythesea2]

13. I thought

It did affect “at will” employment. My industry is well know for firing people for having a bad meeting. In the past, so it’s 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]

3. Thoughts...

-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]

4. Good idea,

just learned mold may aggravate some of my discomforts.

[MartyTheGreek]

6. Check Dr. Darren Schmidt video att.

Nutritional Healing Center of Ann Arbor, MI You can become a remote patient...

&t=493s

[elleng]

8. Thanks.

[leighbythesea2]

11. Like this guy

Thanks so much for linking this. !
It’s definitely something to investigate. Could try some of these, it’s not going to hurt.

Am at home, am always better here.
Assumed mold had to mean water nearby, but maybe it’s that or more than 1 thing.

Wouldn’t be surprised, as they don’t regularly clean. Sorry to say—it’s very weird. I guess before covid they vacuumed every night. No one ever cleans. We do ourselves. But I don’t have a vacuum.

[leighbythesea2]

5. Will start with mask

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 doesn’t allow real usage. It has a sink & a fridge, but we aren’t allowed to truly use it like a kitchenette. (But still there’s a line to the ice maker).

[MartyTheGreek]

7. Stage a flat piece of paper somewhere close but discreet...

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]

9. I will

Good idea. Ty.

[leighbythesea2]

10. Also, Did move

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 she’s experienced anything like I have.