Allergic to work's universal cleaner. What shall I do?

amiehall

I use D10 at work. It's low hazard when diluted so the bottle needs no warnings. It is also "only" an irritant when concentrated and shouldn't really be causing burns, the bag inside the dispensing unit will have the chemical symbol on it. As far as chemicals go, it's not particularly nasty. Also how much of the stuff are you using if the bottle needs filling every day?!

D10 does not require gloves for use if you have the proper dispenser so your work have done nothing wrong in not recommending them. If you use the dispenser correctly, I cannot understand how it could get on your skin.

Honestly, I would file the accident report, ask a colleague to fill the spray bottle as necessary or wear gloves if you want and then get on with your life...

As I understand it, you had a reaction to the concentrate and not to the diluted product so once the bottle has been filled, you should have no issues carrying out your normal cleaning duties.

Scrootum

ScarletMarble wrote: »

Like most people with allergies, they only discover their allergies when something they touch, eat, wear etc gives them an allergic reaction.

The cleaning product is D10 and there are no hazard warnings as it's supposed to be non-hazardous! Please feel free to google d10 cleaner.

So far, I have filled in an accident form and no managers in today, so nothing could be done. Staying away from cleaning at the moment.

Plus Orville grow up! I cannot fake a chemical burn/rash!

I would suggest the term "chemical burn" is a bit of an over dramatisation for a bit of a rash.

paddyrg

http://www.nisbets.co.uk/asset/en/media/msds%20cd517.pdf

I think this is the stuff? The MSDS suggests concentrate should be handled with gloves and eye protection, if splashed cause irritation see a doctor, and to remove contaminated clothes.

Diluted, it's considered non-problematic, but concentrated it's a bit vicious

amiehall

paddyrg wrote: »

http://www.nisbets.co.uk/asset/en/media/msds%20cd517.pdf

I think this is the stuff? The MSDS suggests concentrate should be handled with gloves and eye protection, if splashed cause irritation see a doctor, and to remove contaminated clothes.

Diluted, it's considered non-problematic, but concentrated it's a bit vicious

See page 4, if the proper dispenser is used, no PPE is required. I presume your employer uses a dispenser OP?

GBNI

Surely common sense would dictate that you wear something protective when handling concentrating cleaning products?

If you are allergic to it, I would ask your manager if you are allowed to use a different cleaner in your own workspace.

gjchester

ScarletMarble wrote: »

This morning, I had my shower and my left wrist came up with burns.

I suffer some allergic skin reactions too. If I trigger them I tend to get severe itchiness (or in extreme cases blister like swellings) and washing away the offending allergen causes the "blisters" to calm down after about 30-40 minutes but it takes 3-4 for the redness to vanish completly after exposure.

An allergic reaction is not a burn, it may seem the same symptoms (blisters, swelling and itching) but its a differnet cause.

Whatever compound you are sensative may just be you, which means it may be perfectly acceptable for others to use it in any form (be it neat or diluted). It also could be any part of it, it coule be the colouring or a preservative thats triggering your reaction, not an active ingredient.
I'm also allergic to cats but that doesn't mean they are hazardous to everyone.

You've logged it in the accident book, and you may want to try asking if there are alternatives, because if you are allergic to it you'll be exposed to it due to it being used on other peoples desk.

Missme

Just because a substance isn't universally hazardous, doesn't mean it's not hazardous to thosre with sensitivity.

I'm allergic to dust (fur, pollen, coconut, penicillin, perfume, blah, blah ad infinitum). Not all dust, not every instance of dust in a myriad of situations, but allergic to dust nonetheless.

OP, if you have a particular sensitivity, then you must ensure you take your own precautions and inform your employer of your issues.