John
Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8
Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2002 8:42 pm Post subject: Renalin and staff exposure
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I have worked with Renalin in Reuse for about 5 yrs and i continuously have stomach, throat irritation and fatigue,occasional nausea<
>started about a yr after working with it until now.<
>Has anyone else had any problems physically working long periods 12hr days with renalin?
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Another extech
Joined: 19 Nov 2002
Posts: 3
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2002 7:00 am Post subject: You better believe it!!
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It made my
eathing so bad that I could no longer go to work. The company kept telling me it was because I smoked or maybe I had dust in my room or maybe my cat's dander was finally getting to me, but it was not the chemical my company adored so much; No. Never!! <
>My doctors concured at that time that it was probably the chemical and gave me an excuse to stay out of work. I filed for workman's comp., but that didn't fly because I had an extenuated circimstance.. I smoked. I must say that in all my years of smoking, I had never awaken and over a 2 day period lost my ability to exhale. My SATS at the time were deplorable. Over a 4 month period of time not much got better. I could not walk, go upstairs, exert myself in any way. It was a nightmare... Lack of my usual exercise and the fact that I had to quit smoking added 60 lbs to my weight and I was not small to begin with. <
>Their company and their insurance lawyers "defered" my case for more than 6 months and then they sent me to see a doctor widely known as the "Insurace Doc." in the Portland area (Nice Italian fellow... last initial "B"). His findings were that I smoked and was fat. It also helped that after months of deferment I was a little better. I had no independent documentation made during the worst period of time, so had nothing to refute his findings. Had I had the money for paying the fees for an independent evaluation at the worst time, I would have had evidence of what ahd happened. <
>Since that time, I have lost my way of making a decent living. I have become known to the medical community as "suit happy" and the whisper campaign in the local mediacal arena means I will never work in medicine again here, Bummer, huh? <
>I recently had my lungs evaluated. Much of my ability to
eathe has returned and I don't use the Albuterol any more, but I'm still not back to where I was. This latest evaluation said that they could not speak to how I was a year ago, but they can cite obesity as a factor now. It may be hiding residual damage, but as long as I'm "fat", they can't say whether there was damage or not. <
>If you decide to pursue this, bear my experience in mind. It is not unusual or rare. Keep in mind that you will need to get as much supporitve data from a doctor as you can. D"> ocumantation is all that matters. Don't let them allow you to spin in the wind until your "
eak from work" has clouded your symptoms. Take your nose, stomach, and other symptoms to your doctor now. Start getting a track record of your maladays.. don't wait. And plan on winning, because any career you plan in medicine using them as a referal will be finished. <
>Be smart. Some people never get more than a bunch of annoying symptoms, but some others have thier bodies turn on them and things become much more lethal. <
>BTW; I worked for just a little over 2 years before this all happened to me. <
>Good Luck.. You'll need it.
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Worker Bee
Joined: 29 Oct 2002
Posts: 28
Posted: Tue Nov 19, 2002 7:42 am Post subject: Renalin Exposure
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I was exposed over a 2 moth period along with 6 other staff to high levels of Renalin fumes from the reuse room. It was so strong that even the patients complained of the smell. We all started having various symptoms which included the following.<
>Headaches, Severe asthma attacks, fluid retention, increased frequency of sinus infections, nose bleeds,
eathing problems, and just generally not feeling well at all. <
> It took a formal letter of complaint to Bio-med before they finally came in and did an air check reading. And low and behold, it wasn't our imagination like they had been telling us! The ventilation system in the reuse room was vastly inadequate and even though they said they fixed it, to the day I left that unit and company, we were all still having problems. Even today, over 2 years later, I still have
eathing and sinus problems like I never had before. I now have been diagnosed with high blood pressure which I never had a problem with until a year ago. It just makes me wonder what will pop up next with my health?
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Hugh Jarse
Joined: 20 Nov 2002
Posts: 1
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2002 6:19 am Post subject: Renalin exposure
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John,<
>I'm at a complete loss as to why anyone would put up with the conditions you are claiming and not doing anything about it.<
>With the correct systems and ventilation in place there should be no fumes at all.<
>Why have you put up with it for so long?
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Lin
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 337
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2002 7:53 am Post subject: OSHA
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Has anyone contacted OSHA? I recently had a friend who had a similar problem while working in a factory and they were called in to take air quality samples. The employer was fined and required to make changes. I wouldn't want to work in such an environment, and I wouldn't want staff to suffer ill effects from the Renalin. There are enough sick people! Lin.<
>
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Lisa
Joined: 20 Nov 2002
Posts: 3
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2002 8:26 am Post subject: Renalin
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I have alot of experience with renalin exposure! I actually collected unemployement due to the fact that I had to quit my job. In addition the answer to the question about OSHA? They will not do anything.... I know my friend and I delt with them for over 2 years to get better working conditions for our unit. We even went up to the FEDERAL LEVEL... Which was a waste of time.
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x tech
Joined: 20 Nov 2002
Posts: 1
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2002 8:32 am Post subject: OHSA has no power in dialysis
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Due to the "unique" nature of dialysis, OSHA has no leverage there. They can test if another business or outside agency complains about the chemical, but not if dialysis personnel complain. <
>Even then, they may test and tell the unit there is a problem, but the unit's solution is to fiddle with filters and the ducts, then take their own reading and submit it to OSHA as "remedied". This has happened several times on older units. The irony is that the problem was not at all fixed....But OSHA accepted the companies readings. I SAW one set of reading post filter replacement which was all that was done, and there was no change at all. But the company reported the problem solved.
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Dropped on my Head
Joined: 20 Nov 2002
Posts: 1
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2002 12:58 pm Post subject: Mr. Jarse;
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We stay because we have to. If we abandon patients every time we as workers were exposed to dangers, many patients would lack any care. AIDES patients would be cleaning their own wastes, Hep "C" patients would never eat among the company of the uninfected again, and you, dialysis patient, would lack what those of us who do know what we are doing can give. You would be stuck (no pun inteneded) with only the floor sweeping for techs. Be grateful that some see
a higher calling and respond to needs like yours in the best of time honored traditions.
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YOU NEED TO CONTACT
Joined: 20 Nov 2002
Posts: 1
Posted: Wed Nov 20, 2002 2:42 pm Post subject: MEDWATCH THROUGH THE FDA
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You will be given a form to fill out...you are suppose to be told this,but once again this is a well kept secret...you need to file with this government agency,so you will be covered when and if anything else comes along. You can file unemployment,as this industry has forgotten that some people are aware of the FEDERAL LAW THAT STATES:<
>THE LAW READS:<
>Every employer has the obligation to provide a safe and healthy environment. <
><
>We have several workers who are fired or not given hours....but this is the law and you are entitled to unemployment.<
>Contact us and we will help...first you need to call and report ANY adverse reaction patient or employee,do not count once again on this industry to do whats right. After all much of the money is due to reuse...why would they give you the number...but here it is from us.<
><
>MEDWATCH<
>1800-FDA-1088<
>fax: 1800-FDA-0178<
><
><
>EVERYONE NEEDS TO DO THIS,IF YOU DONT REPORT IT ,IT DIDNT HAPPEN<
>
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Lin
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 337
Posted: Thu Nov 21, 2002 2:08 am Post subject: OSHA
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Why doesn't OSHA have anything to do with dialysis? Why is dialysis "different" and separate from other industry? The "right to know" information is prominently displayed as is the OSHA number; is that just a joke? Lin.
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John
Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8
Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2002 9:28 am Post subject: Renalin
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Im went to my dr. Again and he recommend i take time off and go on disibility in the mean time i have a endoscopy scheduled.. I think my life/health is more important then the job right now.
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Lin
Joined: 28 Oct 2002
Posts: 337
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2002 3:04 am Post subject: Just me
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but I would feel terrible knowing a worker was adversely affected by using a chemical for which there are safer alternatives, such as non reuse!!! I'm glad the unit I go to has done away with reuse. Lin.
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Another extech
Joined: 19 Nov 2002
Posts: 3
Posted: Mon Nov 25, 2002 8:52 am Post subject: Well enough, but
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you have no idea what hardball is until you try to collect diasability from these corporations. Hurry and file it before the Homeland Security rider caps your ability to collect (shield for insurance companies). <
>They will delay you until your symptoms lessen or disappear. They will try to establish a different work environment, hobby or home hazard, lifestyle... whatever they can.. did you ever swim in a polluted river? I mean, they do some heavy duty grasping at straws to say that they could not possibly be at fault. It's good you have a doctor willing to work with you, but be sure to keep documentation and test results. My doctors sold me out.... they didn't want to get involved.<
>IF you improve, they will challange that there isn't any real problem that can't be assigned to living near an industrial area. The only way you will prove that it is from your unit will be to go back to work and see if it happens again. I chose not to since I was cautioned that the next time could kill me. I wanted them to pay for getting me retraining since they took my livlihood away from me. <
>They are such misers that they found that too expensive. So I'm out... just plain out!!! <
>You do better!!!
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John
Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8
Posted: Wed Nov 27, 2002 5:50 pm Post subject: I never .....
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I never smoked im not over weight, i drink a beer about twice a yr, i dont have asma or previous
eathing problems, no physical problems and i dont take no sh*t. My health has bean good! UNTIL NOW!....<
>i will post updates as this progresses..
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Another extech
Joined: 19 Nov 2002
Posts: 3
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2002 6:30 am Post subject: Please do keep us imformed!
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I will enjoy a certain vacarious pleasure in seeing you maybe do what I could not. At any rate, you have fewer straws for them to grasp at than I did.
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Joihn
Joined: 31 Jan 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Fri Jan 31, 2003 4:42 pm Post subject: here i go...
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Well WC denied it as work related, but state disability approved me! go figure. Im going to apeal.
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Founding RN
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Posts: 172
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2003 7:59 am Post subject: Good Luck!
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John,<
> Hope this works out for you. Did you contact Med Watch? If not, please do. I work with staff who are having severe nose bleeds, asthma attacks, headaches, and many other problems when they come into any kind of contact with Renalin. The unit I now work in does not do reuse with kidneys, but they use the stuff to disinfect the machines and boy do we all know it! This stuff is a hazard to our health and the health of others. I sometimes think this is the companies insurance to have patients in the future! :">
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Curious
Joined: 02 Feb 2003
Posts: 39
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2003 6:20 am Post subject: Well
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Do you have an attorney?
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John
Joined: 18 Nov 2002
Posts: 8
Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2003 10:56 am Post subject: REnalin
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Yes i have an attorney now.
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extect
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Posts: 1
Posted: Tue Feb 04, 2003 6:56 am Post subject: Lots of problems in Hawaii
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I know that there was a worker who filed suit. She proved that there were miscarriages and birth defects. I know one was in Hawaii,I think the other was in Phil. Pa.
