lab incident

[chazzmann]

Hi, 5 months ago i was in a chemical lab about to start work on a Gas Chromatography Mass spec when i fell extremely ill. I am still unwell and have being to a number of GPs and Physical Consultants and Mental health clinic, but with no answers. I am waiting on an appointment to see a neurologist. My symtoms are as follows, dizzness, slightly disorianted, vomiting (the first few weeks), difficulties in breathing, spaced out feeling, foggy brain, my preception of my surroundings has not being the same since that day, its like iam in a dream state. I also have concentration problems, tingling in hands and feet, slight numness in my head. In the first few weeks i have flu like symtoms. I am still suffuring from fatigue, weekness. I also have had aggresive taughts, about hurting family menbers and friends. Do you think my sysmtoms are related to the chemical lab? I hope you can help me on this matter, like advice on who should i see in the medical department.

Regards

Ken

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Dear Ken,

You will find my response on your other posting.

- Dr. Parks

[chazzmann]

Thank you for your reply. I am also worried about my symtoms too. It is not like me to think that way. I love all things in life, including life itself. I would not hurt a fly and thats being honest. I have being to a mental health clinic but they just want me to take medication. I feel that if i was exposed to a chemical the meds wouldnt to me any good. I have being eating mostly organic healthy foods for the last 3 months and going to the gym but the symtoms are still present

I have being in contact with the college a number of times trying to find out what chemical i could have being exposed too. They keep on telling me that all i was exposed to was general purpose oil, used in the vacuum pump of the GCMS. There was no extraction from the GCMS instrument. I looked up the MSDS for that chemical but my symtoms are not consitent with there findings.

I sent off a hair sample to the US for mineral analysis. It stated that i had high levels of tin. I know inorganic tin is more or less harmless, or is it?, but can organotin cause these type of symtoms?.

The lab i was in is an internal lab with bad ventalation, It is also used for research
projects. Iam not sure what chemical i was exposed too at the time as the college will not give out too much information.

I dont know were to go or who to see about finding out what chemical i was expossed too. Can you point me in the right direction?.

I feel i was expossed to something in the lab that day, in your opinon would you think the college would hold back information related to the incident?

Regards

Ken

[Philip D Parks, MD, MPH, MOccH, FACOEM]

Dear Ken,

Your symptoms are concerning--especially the "aggressive thoughts, about hurting family members and friends." I would encourage you to seek medical attention at your earliest convenience if you continue to have such thoughts.

Returning to your symptoms--can you remember a particular exposure?

What types of chemicals were you working with at the time with your symptoms began?

Do you have the material safety data sheets (MSDS) of the chemicals that you worked with?

~•~ Dr. Parks

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice. The information presented in this posting is for patients’ education only. As always, I encourage you to see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.