Water Leaks And Lung Illness

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Water Leaks And Lung Illness

September 1, 2002

By HILARY WALDMAN, Courant Staff Writer

Arlyce thought her new desk near a balcony with a sweeping view of

southwest Hartford was in a prime location until the day it rained.

" The water would come in and wet the carpet, and they would blow it dry, "

said , who worked in the corporation tax division on the 17th floor at

25 Sigourney St.

, 58, never suspected that the burning she felt in her mouth when she

brushed her teeth or ate tangy foods like ketchup might have something to do

with mold growing in the wet walls and carpets of her office building.

By October 2000, her discomfort sent her to the doctor. She said the sides

of her tongue were tender. Her throat was sore all the time and she'd lose

her voice for no apparent reason. She was eating, but losing weight.

" I went to an ear-nose-and-throat doctor and he said to gargle, " said

, who feared she might have had cancer. She was coughing up mucus and

had lost her sense of taste to the point that even once-beloved chocolate

was no longer tempting.

Finally, a lung biopsy confirmed that had sarcoidosis, an enigmatic

inflammatory disease that can lead to scarring in many organs, most commonly

the lungs.

" Traditionally it has not been thought of as an environmental disease, but

in the last 10 years, there is increasing evidence that it is allergic, "

said Dr. Eileen Storey, director of the Center for Indoor Environments and

Health at the University of Connecticut Health Center.

In pulmonary sarcoidosis, patients may have a dry cough, shortness of breath

or mild chest pain. Symptoms outside the lung can include a scaly rash, red

bumps on the legs, fever, sore eyes and painful swelling of the ankles, and

more general symptoms like fatigue, weakness, fever and weight loss.

says she has them all.

In more than half of the cases, sarcoidosis appears briefly and heals

naturally. But an estimated 20 percent to 30 percent of pulmonary

sarcoidosis patients are left with permanent lung damage. And for a few, the

condition can become chronic.

, who has been home on workers' compensation since April, said she

hopes she can recover enough to work a few more years and retire on a full

state pension.

" I can bend over and tie my shoe and I'm out of breath. I can make my bed at

home and I'm out of breath, " said. " I'm hoping I can improve enough

to be better than I am now. "