Question from Traci
Dear Debra,
I am curious what your thoughts are concerning my recent reactions. I must say I was so relieved to find your website after feeling doomed to only increasing reactions to everyday toxins. Reading your story was very encouraging!
After having chemical sensitivities for about 5-6 years, I have recently had a change in my symptoms. I went from having one-sided facial/headaches to mostly chest pain. The chest pain is result of toxins from my home after recent renovation. I must say the Austin Healthmate was a blessing to find. Thanks for the link on your site, and suggestions from readers. After using it a couple of days, I was able to return home and very hopeful. However, the varnish used it still releasing fumes, and not cured. So, if I am in the kitchen baking for awhile, I end up with chest pain.
I am curious as to what your experience is on the chest pain (or feeling of sickness in chest). I also went through a few days of reacting to everything after that. Then, after few days of relief, was able to tolerate normal everyday things.
I already had my home as non-toxic as possile (except the terrible varnish used by cabinetmaker). Also have been using non-toxic health/beauty products and as much as organic food as possible. (Thanks for the tip on spring water.)
Am I putting my health at risk by staying in my home for months while the fumes finish off-gasing? I want to live in my home with my family, but don’t know how long I should have reactions.
Debra’s Answer
Please, please, please, everyone reading this, if you are having symptoms, leave your house. Air filters can help, but the first thing to do is remove the toxic exposure, and if you can’t do that, remove your body from the toxic exposure.
Nobody should be around toxic varnish that is not yet cured. It should not have been used in the first place. There are plenty of water-based wood finishes that could be used.
If the vanish is on a built-in cabinet that cannot be removed, stay someplace else and use heat to speed up the curing of the varnish. Or have it removed.
