I often say that people can control where they work and where they live, but I realize that while a from-home workforce is on the rise, the majority of us still don’t have control over where we work.
In an earlier blog post, I shared a little about my story. In short, my office was toxic, which I was not aware of, at the time. I was literally poisoned by my work environment.
If I’d known then what I know now, I would have taken more control over the job I accepted.
At the time, I’d been hired as an attorney and I worked in a brand new building that had thirty floors; we were located near the top. Ours was the most impressive skyscraper to ever grace the Fort Lauderdale skyline. Located across the street from the Broward County Courthouse, 110 Tower was considered a technological marvel.
When we moved in, many of the other suites weren’t yet finished. The walls were still being painted and new carpeting was being tacked down as I was putting my law books on the shelves.
These days, many of its features—like talking elevators, word processing rooms, and computerized doors that required swiping a card for entry—would go unnoticed, but back then they seemed like something out of a science fiction movie. The building had its own hotel, stores, restaurants, nightclubs, and fitness center—you literally never had to leave to do anything.
As impressive as it was in my early career, my body was injured by exposure to toxic chemicals inside my office building, and this injury weakened my immune system to the point where my body was no longer capable of defending itself against other environmental exposures.
I became hypersensitive to various things, including molds, pollen, foods, and chemicals found in everyday products and environments. Anything from chlorine to deodorant was enough to set me off.
It’s nearly unbelievable that a work environment could be this toxic.
Unfortunately, there is no government regulation of most chemicals used in building products, only in foods and drugs. This was true when I worked at 110 Tower in the late 80s and nothing has changed nearly 40 years later.
Huffington Post wrote an article last month asking job seekers if they interview their building to find out if it’s healthy prior to accepting a position. It may seem intimidating or strange to ask questions about the building in an interview, but if I had known what would happen to me in that skyscraper then I would have asked a lot of questions.
The article suggests asking:
- Is the building certified as green?
- Is the air quality monitored?
- Is there access to daylight?
- Can you recognize nature inside the building?
These proactive questions are beneficial. I suggest that you also consider if the office has industrial smells like paint fumes, or if people who are making renovations are wearing gas masks. You may not notice this until you’ve already taken a position, but paying attention to these kinds of details may save your health.
If you notice that you often feel unwell at work—nauseated or dizzy—and you feel normal in other environments, then consider making a transition.
Controlling your work environment is more difficult than controlling where you live, but it’s equally important in light of the amount of hours we spend working
Hi Alan,
0ne day at work, some yrs ago, my supervisor Heavily sprayed Glades Apple Cinn. it was an aerosol tsunami that hit me like a bullet between the eyes … have Never been the same since… Multiple mini strokes, endless headaches… on & on & on … they laughed & sprayed more… now i am Ruined … Every Single Day is like
playing Russian Roulette … one whiff of Any chem is
devastating … Am on a ton of Alternative ‘stuff’ Every
Day – the latest is NewChapter lifeshield ‘Breathe’ – encapsulated mushroom combo …seems to help some.
>>> You know the deal – can’t go anywhere, do anything, be around ppl , work place… live a Solitary life & financially ruined … am 65 & at some point in the not too distant future, will have to move to somewhere – a V Stressful thought… need an Island… Thnx for listening & sharing your life … sm zee/mi
Thank YOU for sharing your story! It really can seem like a game of Russian roulette. For years your immune system is worn down by chemicals outgassing, then all the sudden one in particular may be the one that takes you down. Best of luck in the fight for your health!
Alan,
Thank you for your research it is very comforting to me to find someone who believes me. I was exposed to Air Freshner plug-ins and candles at the elementary schools that I worked in for 18 years. I contacted the air quality control and was told there was no criteria for teachers to not use them in the classroom . The chemical was throughout the building. I suffered from headaches and muscle aches. I kindly asked the teachers to discontinue using them and they laughed at me. I printed articles on the dangers for the children and left them around the school. And guess what..I developed a reputation of being a crazy trouble maker! I literally cannot tolerate any chemical substances wafting through the air at the workplace. I recently took a leave of absence. Thank you for acknowledging the truth. I found confronting the public school system impossible! I”m out now but my grandchildren are not!
I hope you find comfort. Thank you for sharing with everyone, so we know we aren’t alone in this.
Hi Alan, it’s me zee, again … i worked for 30 yrs 0utside
training Horses & have been on my Feet my whole Life…
…was offered a jobbee inside Clubhouse at Training facility … You know the rest … Glades should have a Mega class action Lawsuit … i called them, & told them what happened – the receptionist made a joke of my testimony … the Label at that time Stated ‘could be Fatal’
w/out proper ventilation … since then, Label has been
changed… Thnx for All you have done & Will Do … ps. i listened to you on CoasttoCoast…then cried…Life Sux w/MCS … God Bless Everyone …pps. have logued Every Single Incident since then – file is inches thick… bye.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Unfortunately, there are so many sharing. This is all too common now. Take care and be well.
> ‘WE’ are called “Human Canaries” …