Think an allergen/chemical in office building causing my illness? How do I proceed?
I have worked in a governmental facility for over a year now. During the past year, I have had the most severe, upper respiratory infections of my life, include one hospitalization and two emergency visits that required steroid usage to prevent my throat from closing from inflammation. I have also had the worse migraines/sinus headaches/sinusitis the entire time. I have missed a considerable amount of work (which looks bad because I’ve worked for less than a year). My medical records will show that I have never had any issues with allergens. I know that there is ‘contained’ asbestos in our building and there is a chance of mold. I was speaking with coworkers and they said people that have previously been in my office have had similar upper respiratory infections/problems.
I spoke with my supervisor about the consistency of my illnesses and am trying to see if the ducts can be tested or even cleaned, but are there any other options? As I mentioned, I have been off work off-and-on, one time for over a week, due to the severity of my illnesses. My physicians have been unable to explain why I have been getting so sick and it wasn’t until a coworker mentioned my office causing these similar problems that I thought it could be work related. I just want to try and validify my absences if possible, as I’ve gotten a warning about being gone so often, but I literally feel like I’m going to die when I do get sick, and its at least every 3 months. Its like I can’t get rid of it!
Advice?
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One comment
izzy on May 26, 2010 at 1:14 am
You would need to contact …
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh
US Department of Health and Human Services
4676 Columbia Parkway (Mail Drop R2)
Cincinnati, Ohio 45226
They will advise you about ‘sick building syndrome’ and about your rights.