Re: toner and asthma

[Guest guest]

I have an injet printer rather than a laser printer (they can give a

great print if you use the " best " setting) so I can't directly answer

your question, but I would think that tiny particles of most anything

could adversely affect an asthmatic or someone who is severely

allergic. Do the laster printer toners have a slightly " magnetic "

(tend to stick) quality to them? Could the " flakes " or " particles "

still be in your house? Ductwork? Carpeting? Walls? Light

fixtures? Upholstered furniture? Underneath furniture? Clothing?

Could a professional cleaning company clean the walls, furniture,

floor covering, etc. and perhaps wipe out any traces that might still

be invisibly around?

I'm not allergic to my pets per se but waste from the animals is a

different matter. That DOES bothor me!

It's interesting as to what you said about the photographic " fixer. "

About 22 years ago I was into photography and darkroom printing but

the chemicals (and I think it was the fixer but not sure which step

it was for sure), especially the vinegar-like (or is it more like

acidic acid?) really screwed up my breathing. Darkrooms tend to be

small spaces so that concentrates the fumes. I loved it too except

for what it did to me! Stuff developed in tanks is not quite so bad

but in trays ... whew! It also caused me to start having skin

disturbances. In fact, it was so bad I couldn't even be around plain

household vinegar at home. Possibly once one is " sensitized " then it

takes an extra-ordinary intervention or complete removal to reverse

it. There might be other substances that you were around at the same

time that triggered the extra powerful long-term reaction - i.e.,

other substances that were around at the time of the toner might have

become allergens for you - one allergy helped to trigger others - and

are still causing trouble. It's kind've weird and hard to explain -

sort've like a spill-over effect.

ACE Inhibitors are HORRIFIC for causing swallowing and throat

problems. Thought my hubby was going to choke to death on them (he's

asthmatic too but not as bad as I am) - turned crimson and was even

throwing up. Went round-and-round with his docs who just didn't

listen until finally one admitted that all the coughing was in and of

itself making the blood pressure worse. Incidentally, it turned out

that he has hyperaldosteronism and if the docs hadn't been so lazy

they would have tested him and diagnosed him several years before

they did so much harm. He's on spironolactone now which has helped

enormously That's why I absolutely will not take those drugs. Push

the docs to find out the underlying causes of your diseases. I've

heard the ARB (?) drugs are not quite as bad but I'm not a doc so you

would need to investigate alternatives.

One other thought - you mentioned being so allergic to magic markers

and about all office/presentation type supplies. I'm similar to

you. Wonder if it has anything to do with the paper? Isn't there an

acid bath involved in making paper? AT the very least there is

dust. I vaguely remember a time when reams of paper bothored

me .... There should be some sort of odor free or maybe

hypoallergenic markers out there - haven't checked though.

Per asthmatic reactions, I am better now, apparently from Xolair.

Have you been able to go that route yet? Still have the sinus

headaches, though, especially at night.

GERD can be treated - might want to see about that too as it's not

uncommon among asthmatics.

Hope you find out something helpful soon!

>

> This week on the news there was a mention about laser printers

> adversely affecting people's health - I dismissed it until I noticed

> it on news of the day and I clicked on - cases of asthma and

> chronic lung disease are being attributed to particles of toner.

>

> THAT COULD BE WHY I HAVE BEEN SO SICK THE PAST TWO YEARS? Three

and a

> half years ago I started printing our community calendar in my

home -

> at first I had the printer in the attic but at some point in 2005 I

> brought it down stairs and put it in the livingroom (we have a small

> bungalow style house). We're not talking about a few copies here

and

> there, I was printing 4,000 - 6,000 impressions a month PLUS hand-

outs

> for local political campaigns in 2005 and 2006.

>

> I was buying big canisters of toner that could do 7,000 impressions

> compared to 2,500. Last year I stopped printing in house - my

printer

> was wearing out and service calls of $160 were coming out of my own

> pocket. AT that point I started printing at the UPS store and

they'd

> give me a price break for free ad.

>

> so why haven't I gotten any better in the past year? I'm still

> printing stuff to hand out at town board meetings (I'm a

councilman),

> and I have four years of paperwork in my house from being a

councilperson.

>

> I was a computerized typesetter in the early 1980's that had to give

> it up because of an allergy to photographic fixer. I had to totally

> remove myself from any kind of graphic arts environment where there

> were printers inks, chemicals, even magic markers. Twenty years and

> technology later we're computerized and I'm thinking everything is

so

> nice and clean now with computers and toner.

>

> If this is ONE of the culprits (and we're dealing with several other

> things that could be exasterbating my asthma including coughing and

> throat problems from my high blood pressure medicine and severe

gerd)

> it could affect my ability to do some jobs and strictly limit

> environments I could work in. Handling paperwork is key in any

> political position, and it could derail other plans I have to work

in

> public service. I am totally blown away at how many doors this will

> close for me.

>

> Everyone blames my hedgehog but they've been here less than a year

and

> the resurface of chronic asthma and inability to get off steroids

> started a couple of years before I bought myself a pet. The time

line

> does not fit. Anyone else have any concerns about laser jet toner?

>

[Guest guest]

Yes, that news report also caught my attention for a personal reason

opposite to yours. I only need to print anything occasionally and have

managed to get by without ever purchasing a printer. I have a close

friend who doesn't mind at all if I do my now and then printing at her

house (really, I'm not a leech, she really really doesn't mind at

all...we each help the other out in a variety of ways). Recently I've

been thinking once again how silly it is that I don't have my own

printer, but it just seems wasteful to buy one for trivial use. Then I

saw that article and, voila, it gave me just the justification I

needed to settle the question once and for all - no printer will come

into my house!!!

I think your concerns are very legitimate and well thought through to

some scary but logical conclusions, but I'm afraid I can't think of a

healthier solution for you off the top of my head. Well, maybe...how

about trying a respirator mask while you're working in any location

where high volume laser printing is being done? I'm thinking of the

type of multiple use respirator mask sold at Home Depot for about $30

that protects well against all kinds of particles generated during

home repair and renovation projects. It would feel cumbersome at first

but might be a good solution for you. Also, although I'm sure you keep

your home very clean to help with your asthma, it might well be worth

doing a thorough deep cleaning of every surface including walls and

floors and carpets and furniture, and air vents that might be

harboring residual particles from the time when you were doing the

printing in your home. And definitely find a way to get that

paperwork out of hour house or at the least tightly contained in your

house if you must have it there.Maybe those clothing stoarge bags that

you suck out the air before sealing?

Lastly, I suggest some slow, deep relaxation breathing (really). There

have to be some good solutions out there for you. Best of luck in

preserving you public service role while preserving your health at the

same time.

Signing off for the night...wishing you easy deep sleep with peaceful

dreams and a calm awakening to a new day that will fill up with many

possible answers to your dilemna. OMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Fran

>

> This week on the news there was a mention about laser printers

> adversely affecting people's health - I dismissed it until I noticed

> it on news of the day and I clicked on - cases of asthma and

> chronic lung disease are being attributed to particles of toner.

>

> THAT COULD BE WHY I HAVE BEEN SO SICK THE PAST TWO YEARS? Three and a

> half years ago I started printing our community calendar in my home -

> at first I had the printer in the attic but at some point in 2005 I

> brought it down stairs and put it in the livingroom (we have a small

> bungalow style house). We're not talking about a few copies here and

> there, I was printing 4,000 - 6,000 impressions a month PLUS hand-outs

> for local political campaigns in 2005 and 2006.

>

> I was buying big canisters of toner that could do 7,000 impressions

> compared to 2,500. Last year I stopped printing in house - my printer

> was wearing out and service calls of $160 were coming out of my own

> pocket. AT that point I started printing at the UPS store and they'd

> give me a price break for free ad.

>

> so why haven't I gotten any better in the past year? I'm still

> printing stuff to hand out at town board meetings (I'm a councilman),

> and I have four years of paperwork in my house from being a

councilperson.

>

> I was a computerized typesetter in the early 1980's that had to give

> it up because of an allergy to photographic fixer. I had to totally

> remove myself from any kind of graphic arts environment where there

> were printers inks, chemicals, even magic markers. Twenty years and

> technology later we're computerized and I'm thinking everything is so

> nice and clean now with computers and toner.

>

> If this is ONE of the culprits (and we're dealing with several other

> things that could be exasterbating my asthma including coughing and

> throat problems from my high blood pressure medicine and severe gerd)

> it could affect my ability to do some jobs and strictly limit

> environments I could work in. Handling paperwork is key in any

> political position, and it could derail other plans I have to work in

> public service. I am totally blown away at how many doors this will

> close for me.

>

> Everyone blames my hedgehog but they've been here less than a year and

> the resurface of chronic asthma and inability to get off steroids

> started a couple of years before I bought myself a pet. The time line

> does not fit. Anyone else have any concerns about laser jet toner?

>

[Guest guest]

These posts triggerred my recall of simlar experiences I've had in the

past. The first was also with darkroom chemicals during the phase in

which I envisioned myslef as an emerging serious hobby photographer.

The only way I could function even in a well-ventilated darkroom was

by wearing a surgical paper mask, tied on before I entered the dark

room and not removed until I had washed my hands thouroughly and

stepped out of the darkroom. It was only partially effective and

eventually my good sense got the better of me and I retired from the

darkroom

The second experience occurred when I was studying jewelry

construction, starting with a piece of silver or gold metal from which

I then learned to make an actual piece of lovely intricate jewelry.

This work involves Vats of acid steaming in the workroom and lots of

metal dust wafting around the room as the metal is worked and

polished. Even with a mask, I could only keep it up for about six

weeks befire I bowed out of the opportunity to pursue that artiistic

bent. Sighh.....

So much work and art, such lousy breathing................what a loss.

Fran

> >

> > This week on the news there was a mention about laser printers

> > adversely affecting people's health - I dismissed it until I noticed

> > it on news of the day and I clicked on - cases of asthma and

> > chronic lung disease are being attributed to particles of toner.

> >

> > THAT COULD BE WHY I HAVE BEEN SO SICK THE PAST TWO YEARS? Three

> and a

> > half years ago I started printing our community calendar in my

> home -

> > at first I had the printer in the attic but at some point in 2005 I

> > brought it down stairs and put it in the livingroom (we have a small

> > bungalow style house). We're not talking about a few copies here

> and

> > there, I was printing 4,000 - 6,000 impressions a month PLUS hand-

> outs

> > for local political campaigns in 2005 and 2006.

> >

> > I was buying big canisters of toner that could do 7,000 impressions

> > compared to 2,500. Last year I stopped printing in house - my

> printer

> > was wearing out and service calls of $160 were coming out of my own

> > pocket. AT that point I started printing at the UPS store and

> they'd

> > give me a price break for free ad.

> >

> > so why haven't I gotten any better in the past year? I'm still

> > printing stuff to hand out at town board meetings (I'm a

> councilman),

> > and I have four years of paperwork in my house from being a

> councilperson.

> >

> > I was a computerized typesetter in the early 1980's that had to give

> > it up because of an allergy to photographic fixer. I had to totally

> > remove myself from any kind of graphic arts environment where there

> > were printers inks, chemicals, even magic markers. Twenty years and

> > technology later we're computerized and I'm thinking everything is

> so

> > nice and clean now with computers and toner.

> >

> > If this is ONE of the culprits (and we're dealing with several other

> > things that could be exasterbating my asthma including coughing and

> > throat problems from my high blood pressure medicine and severe

> gerd)

> > it could affect my ability to do some jobs and strictly limit

> > environments I could work in. Handling paperwork is key in any

> > political position, and it could derail other plans I have to work

> in

> > public service. I am totally blown away at how many doors this will

> > close for me.

> >

> > Everyone blames my hedgehog but they've been here less than a year

> and

> > the resurface of chronic asthma and inability to get off steroids

> > started a couple of years before I bought myself a pet. The time

> line

> > does not fit. Anyone else have any concerns about laser jet toner?

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Adah, thanks for the printer advice. But now I wonder if the printers

that use cartridges may also be a problem for us, just not recognized

yet. I think I'll wait it out just a little longer and see what pops

up in the news before I take that step.

Fran

> > >

> > > This week on the news there was a mention about laser printers

> > > adversely affecting people's health - I dismissed it until I noticed

> > > it on news of the day and I clicked on - cases of asthma and

> > > chronic lung disease are being attributed to particles of toner.

> > >

> > > THAT COULD BE WHY I HAVE BEEN SO SICK THE PAST TWO YEARS? Three

> > and a

> > > half years ago I started printing our community calendar in my

> > home -

> > > at first I had the printer in the attic but at some point in 2005 I

> > > brought it down stairs and put it in the livingroom (we have a small

> > > bungalow style house). We're not talking about a few copies here

> > and

> > > there, I was printing 4,000 - 6,000 impressions a month PLUS hand-

> > outs

> > > for local political campaigns in 2005 and 2006.

> > >

> > > I was buying big canisters of toner that could do 7,000 impressions

> > > compared to 2,500. Last year I stopped printing in house - my

> > printer

> > > was wearing out and service calls of $160 were coming out of my own

> > > pocket. AT that point I started printing at the UPS store and

> > they'd

> > > give me a price break for free ad.

> > >

> > > so why haven't I gotten any better in the past year? I'm still

> > > printing stuff to hand out at town board meetings (I'm a

> > councilman),

> > > and I have four years of paperwork in my house from being a

> > councilperson.

> > >

> > > I was a computerized typesetter in the early 1980's that had to give

> > > it up because of an allergy to photographic fixer. I had to totally

> > > remove myself from any kind of graphic arts environment where there

> > > were printers inks, chemicals, even magic markers. Twenty years and

> > > technology later we're computerized and I'm thinking everything is

> > so

> > > nice and clean now with computers and toner.

> > >

> > > If this is ONE of the culprits (and we're dealing with several other

> > > things that could be exasterbating my asthma including coughing and

> > > throat problems from my high blood pressure medicine and severe

> > gerd)

> > > it could affect my ability to do some jobs and strictly limit

> > > environments I could work in. Handling paperwork is key in any

> > > political position, and it could derail other plans I have to work

> > in

> > > public service. I am totally blown away at how many doors this will

> > > close for me.

> > >

> > > Everyone blames my hedgehog but they've been here less than a year

> > and

> > > the resurface of chronic asthma and inability to get off steroids

> > > started a couple of years before I bought myself a pet. The time

> > line

> > > does not fit. Anyone else have any concerns about laser jet toner?

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> Park yourself in front of a world of choices in alternative vehicles.

> Visit the Auto Green Center.

>

>

[Guest guest]

thanks so much for addressing all my points. I just

started Xolair last month, second injection will be

next Tuesday.

I have been on disability since 1987 due to breathing

in photographic fixer (I think it's called sodium

thiosulfate) which is a vital step in the process -

develop the photo/film, fix the image/type, water

wash. And if i recall correctly, it does have a wierd

smell but I never could figure out if it was vinegary

or acidic.

It exasterbated the childhood asthma I had taken into

adult hood and I have had problems ever since. About

paper, your suspicions have merit. I always thought I

could not handle stacks of papers because there might

be dust or mold but it also applies to fresh, new

copies and it might be with paper is processed with

and the toner.

I do not get the daily newspaper or sunday paper

because it wheezes me right up and makes me sneeze -

but I think that is because of the paper stock and

newsprint ink. I can not stand to have papers piling

up in a corner in my house, and when our church does a

sale I do not handle the newspaper to wrap knick

knacks for it drives my hands crazy!

I had hopes the xolair would work and I could finally

return to work in a nice office, but with this toner

news that may not be a good choice either. I have been

trying very hard the past ten years to find a job I

can work at home, accomplished professionals do

consulting work but I only have a two year degree and

typing skills and employers don't like to pay you to

stay home - they want you where they can watch you

every second.

Has anyone on disability had any luck finding a career

they can work at home via computer that is not one of

those scams?

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

Choose the right car based on your needs. Check out Autos new Car Finder

tool.

http://autos./carfinder/