Letters to the Editor

Residual Chemicals in Hospitals?

 

Good morning: I work at a hospital in the diagnostic imaging (x-ray) department. Now that x-rays (with the exception of mammography) are digital, the use of chemical film developers has been removed. However, the question arises as to the extent of residual chemicals from the many years of use of fixer, toner and glutaraldehyde that remains in ceiling tiles, floors, walls and furniture.

 

Does anyone have any information regarding this issue and whether or not any institutions have taken action regarding testing and clean up? In my hospital, these chemicals were off-gassing through the ventilation system as the areas were not vented to the outside.

 

There is also the issue of the pathology department where the autopsy room and storage area were not vented to the outside, and the morgue is almost air tight but not completely, therefore odours occur. The electron microscopy machine is also in the same area in pathology. I was unable to determine whether this room was vented to the outside but this machine uses many different chemicals.

 

Unfortunately, the ventilation system carried chemicals, the reaction to which was similar to formaldehyde, into the room in which I worked.   It was also noted during my tour of the pathology department that the room containing hazardous chemicals (formaldehyde, isopropranolol, etc.) was propped open with a container and that a vent to the regular ventilation system is just outside this door.  These two areas are in the same section of the building, but one is on the first floor and the other on the second floor.

 

As well, I noted that the sterilization room one floor below keeps their door open and it is quite “choking” in that area. 

 

I understand the sterilization room uses ethylene oxide. I have been unable to ascertain if this area is vented to the outside. The hospital regularly turns down the ventilation system in these areas between 8:30 and 9:00pm and does not turn it back up until 6am the next morning. On Fridays, they turn it down between 8:30 and 9:00pm, and do not turn it back up until 6am Monday morning.

 

For more than a year, I complained about reactions to chemicals which were being carried by the ventilation system. Other staff members experienced reactions as well, and their names were given to the appropriate parties. However, the hospital’s reaction to these complaints was of a negative nature.  

 

I would appreciate any information and assistance in determining what type of actions could or should be taken with regard to clean up and appropriate ventilation in this institution.

 

Thanks in advance for any information anyone may have.

 

-Marnie

 

(Editor’s Note: Any readers who wish to respond to this question can email us at: letters@vitalitymagazine.com)

 

Preventing the Pox

 

Dear Vitality:

 

As a child I got chicken pox, and now learn that as I get older I can get shingles. What can I take to ward off this condition, as I will be 62 this year?

 

-Terra

 

(Editor’s note: Readers – feel free to respond to this question.)

 

The Gas of Life

 

Dear friends,

 

I’m an avid reader of your magazine and it is always a thrill to read the new issue. Sometimes I even have to drive to a couple of different locations and health stores just to find a single copy because they run out so fast.

 

I’m also your colleague and have had more than 10 years practising journalism in my native Bulgaria, so let me tell you that you created one fine and much needed magazine.

 

Recently I read a few articles online about oxygen/ozone therapy, which claim that our “gas of life” could treat most human illnesses. I would be very glad to read more about that on the pages of Vitality, and maybe you could do some research: Are there clinics or practitioners in Toronto who offer that treatment?

 

Thank you in advance. Keep up the good work!

 

Sincerely,

 

Lumpier Zhukov

 

(Editor’s note: To find out more about oxygen therapies and locations, go to the Vitality website and type “oxygen” into the search engine on our homepage.)

 

Victory for Schmidt and Raw Milk

 

On January 21, 2010, a victory was won in the battle for food freedom and farmers’ rights. Michael Schmidt, a Canadian dairy farmer, was cleared on all 20 counts of selling raw dairy in violation of Canada Health regulations. He is now free to continue operating his cow boarding program.

 

I believe this signals health regulators in all of North America that their current campaign against raw dairy farms and their customers is without merit and an overstepping of their bounds and duties.

 

-Kimberly

 

Editor’s note: For the latest information on the raw milk controversy, go to www.glencoltonfarms.com.