Office Toxins - Strengthening the Immune System

Office Toxins

Inside a typical office building are likely to be at least 50 (possibly as many as 500) volatile organic compounds and gases that are emitted by everything from caulk to carpeting. The EPA ranks indoor pollution in offices as one of the five most urgent environmental issues in the U.S. Thirty to 75 million workers, according to Edlin and Golanty, are estimated to be at risk of developing an illness due to office pollution. Most office pollution results from harmful gases that are usually highest in newly constructed or recently renovated buildings. Some gases, however, cannot be detected by odor. This is complicated by the fact that many gases and chemicals mix with each other to form even more dangerous toxins. Edlin and Golanty state that Danish researcher Lars Molhave, for example, found that more than 40 common office chemicals irritate the eyes, nose, and throat. Some forms of indoor air pollution are known to cause asthma and a severe lung inflammation called hypersensitivity pneumonitis. A small percentage of office workers develop “multiple chemical sensitivity” which cripples their immune system. People who suffer from indoor toxicity have one or several of the following symptoms: dizziness, headaches, nausea, burning eyes, and nosebleeds. In addition, people may find themselves unusually tired, suffer from coughing and sneezing, or have itchy skin and throats. Contact lens wearers may suffer eye irritation. Some building-borne pollutants can also be fatal, as tragically demonstrated in 1991 when an outbreak of Legionnaire's disease at the Social Security Administration building in Richmond, California, killed two workers.

Indoor Toxins

Some textiles are potential sources of pollutants.
Padded partitions, curtains, and carpets may be toxic.
Office machinery contributes to indoor pollution. Some photocopying machines give off ozone–detectable by its metallic odor–which may cause nosebleeds, irritate the eyes and throat, and make it difficult for contact lens wearers.
Machines that duplicate an executive's signature emit butyl methacry-late, which can trigger allergic reactions.
Blueprint copiers give off ammonia and acetic acid vapors, causing the eyes, nose, and throat to burn.
Shredders release irritating particles of paper into the air. Proper ventilation minimizes such hazards.
Ventilation systems that collect moisture when air is cooled harbor molds, fungi, and bacteria. If these systems are not kept clean, the biological agents proliferate, traveling through the building in the air currents.
Water leaks may cause mold or fungus to build up in carpets and ceiling tiles.

Common Sources of Toxins in the Home

In the Kitchen

Paper towels fortified with formaldehyde can cause skin rashes, nausea, and menstrual irregularities.
Air fresheners (carbolic acid or formaldehyde) can cause nausea and eye and lung irritation.
Oven cleaner formulas contain lye, phenols, formaldehyde, benzene, or ammonia that can cause blisters and rashes.
Some deep frying, hydrogenated oils are carcinogenic. People should use their ventilator when cooking with these oils.

In the Bathroom

Antiperspirants contain aluminum chlorohydrate which blocks skin pores.
Commercial toothpastes contain ammonia, ethanol, formaldehyde, mineral oil, or saccharin.
Furniture and tile polish contain sodium phosphate or turpentine, which can burn the skin and is dangerous when inhaled as a vapor.
Toilet cleaners contain cresol, which is easily absorbed through the skin and can damage major organs.

Clothes

Spot removers often contain benzene, sulfuric acid, or toluene, which can cause skin rashes and nervous system complications.
Leather dyes in shoes contain nitro-ben-zene, which can turn skin blue, affect breathing, and induce vomiting.

Recommendations

Avoid using bleached paper containing dioxin.
Use all natural, non-toxic products such as corn flour or arrowroot instead of talc; bicarbonate of soda; peppermint oil; or natural herb toothpastes.
Use essential oils deodorants instead of the strong chemical deodorants.
Use natural, non-toxic, anti-dandruff shampoos.