Could the fine particulate from the dry erase marker be the culprit? Ultrafines can hang in the air for long periods of time... And those fines would have pigments contained on them. I don't know what the pigments are but maybe some arm-twisting with the manufacturer could get that information. Just a thought, Debbie Debbie Decker EH&S UCDavis (530)754-7964 FAX (530)752-4527 dmdecker**At_Symbol_Here**ucdavis.edu Co-Conspirator to Make the World A Better Place -- Visit www.HeroicStories.com and join the conspiracy Birkett's hypothesis: "Any chemical reaction that proceeds smoothly under normal conditions, can proceed violently in the presence of an idiot." At 10:46 AM 2/11/2005 -0500, Russ Phifer wrote: >MIBK and n-butyl acetate are both quite volatile and should leave no >permanent residues. Having seen the same kind of symptoms in a teacher at a >different school, I would suggest your building may have other IAQ problems >that should be evaluated. You may also be highly sensitive to perfumes, >colognes, and deodorants, for instance. There may be other aromatic >hydrocarbons you work with that are causing these sensitivities (acetone, >for instance). For this other teacher, in-line activated carbon filters in >the HVAC vents helped a lot; there are also some effective HEPA air >purifiers that might help. Temperatures, humidity levels, carbon dioxide >levels and particulates should also be evaluated. > >Russ Phifer > > > >WC Environmental, LLC >PO Box 1718, 1085C Andrew Drive >West Chester, PA 19380 >610-696-9220/610-344-7519 fax >rphifer**At_Symbol_Here**glasmesh.com > > >-----Original Message----- >From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU]On Behalf Of >Vicki Davis >Sent: Friday, February 11, 2005 9:58 AM >To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU >Subject: Dry Erase Markers > > >To the List: > > > >I am a high school and community college chemistry and physics teacher. >Over the years I have developed a severe allergy to Expo dry erase >markers. The original ones manufactured by Sanford Corporation. They >contain methyl isobutyl ketone and n-butyl acetate plus pigment and >resin. It seems to be the two chemicals that cause the allergic >reaction as Expo 2 markers I can use okay. They contain ethanol and >2-propanol. > > > >I was wondering if anyone has had experience with this before and if >anyone has any suggestions. I am on prednisone, double doses of Allegra >180 and double Zantac just to go to work everyday. The high school has >recently removed all the original markers and replaced with Expo 2, but >I still have trouble, although not as bad. How long do these chemicals >"hang" in the air or ventilation systems? > > > >Any suggestions would be appreciated. > > > >Thanks, > >Vicki Davis > >Shawnee Mission West High School > >Johnson County Community College > >Overland Park, Kansas 66212 > >wedavisv**At_Symbol_Here**smsd.org
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