Carbonless Copy Paper Health Risks
For almost seven years as a social worker, I was exposed to the chemicals on the carbonless copy paper that we used to profile household size, members, income, etc. These sheets are about 17"x 22". In 1996, approximately thirty months after being exposed to these, I began to experience pain on my hands and arms, as well as burning. At that time, I had been assigned an extra-large caseload, in addition to the double caseload I was already carrying. Initially, I thought it was because of the over-stressed tendons. About three months later, I was selected as a juror, on a case that lasted about six months. I began to feel a little better, but upon my return to work, the pain returned. Finally, in 1997 I could not sleep any longer, because the throbbing pain on my hands and the burning pain on my arms. I even had a miscarriage. I told my employer about the pain, and I was sent to their medical provider who diagnosed Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and wrist neuritis - among other things.
Because several of the employees have been diagnosed with the condition, I believed the doctors to be correct, and I denied it to myself. There was very little typing involved. In fact, it seems that management were afraid of computers, so everything was hand-written, except for the notices of action that went to the clients, and the computerized 17 " x 22" sheets. Both of these were initiated by the social workers on the carbonless copy sheet (the one with all the chemicals on it). Clerical personnel would type the letters, and Data Entry personnel would key-in the information, from the top sheet (no chemicals on top).
My condition worsened. Between the continued contact with the chemicals, the undue stressful retaliating actions after I filed the claim, and the medications prescribed for the pain, the swelling, muscle relaxants and acid blockers, I nearly died. In the beginning of 1999, I began to investigate on my own by analyzing the duties of injured workers, asking what did the social workers (or eligibility officers), had in common with the clerical personnel. I discovered that the only link was the carbonless copy paper. The secretaries would not only handle the paper to type, but would also help with filing of these forms.
By that time my urine was orange, I was anemic, I had terrible headaches, my left eye had gone blind for one week (later recovered at 20/400), had chest pain, developed TMJDS, was diagnosed with cervical disc bulges, was weak, dizzy, and had internal abdominal bleeding. My sugar level was high (I ate no candies, cookies, etc, only the sugars in my fruits and vegetables). My triglicerydes ware elevated and cholesterol deposits developed on my corneas (I ate no meat or dairy products), so I suspected something else. (I was also diagnosed with Fibromyalgia).
I had several EMG's to objectify the CTS, but they were all normal. I was then diagnosed with tendonitis and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome, among others (in addition to the CTS). After cortisone injections on my wrists failed to give me relief, the hand specialist agreed with the neurologist that the CTS was caused by the cervical bulges, which caused the bones to move out of place, and the nerves to get caught in the foramen.
The cortisone injections only made the pain worse, caused some turning of my hands, arms, and right leg and foot, and bone pain, which has not gone away since 1999.
In 1999, one day, after the computerized forms arrived from Information Systems, I passed by the clerical desk, as these carbonless forms were being separated by the clerical supervisor. The smell of the forms made me very nauseous, gave me a headache, and painful burning on my sinuses and eyes. I had a taste in my mouth that matched the smell of the paper. I thought I was on the right track.
I began to piece how, after a few months on the job, I had developed chronic bronchitis, which at times caused me to cough blood. I even had a near-death experience from which my daughter brought me back. I realized that all of my co-workers suffer from frequent colds, and some of them have developed asthma. (In 1995 we formed a team and requested more fresh air pumped into the building, because of the number of ill employees).
My investigative nature took me to the library, I read much about toxicology, and found that my symptoms and some of my co-workers symptoms were parallel with Virus X (1940's caused by the use of DDT). I found out that our air-tight building was subject to insecticide spraying every week. That could contribute to the internal and neurological symptoms, but I was still not satisfied that I had taken all of the factors into consideration.
I continued to suspect the contact with the paper, and I became closer to prove my hypothesis, when I began to use gloves to lessen the pain when I touched any kind of solid surface. The palmar section of my gloves became discolored, while the dorsum had some "brushed" yellowish effect. The brushing occurred when I pushed my hand through the yellow carbonless copies to file the newly printed papers.
In March or April of 2000, one of my clients was telling me his symptoms, which did not include the pain on the hands and arms, but that included the overall body pain, and other symptoms. I asked him what kind of work did he performed. He told me he worked for a paper manufacturer. "Are you in contact with any carbonless copy paper?" I asked. BINGO! That was precisely the kind of paper he handled, although I do not believe he came in contact with the side of the sheets that contain the toxins.
I knew I was coming closer to an answer, so I decided to write, fax, and storm with phone calls, the office of a published toxicologist. Although he would not take my case, as he is now doing research, there was some influence, with the result that last year, OSHA issued a publication on the subject.
Because this is relatively new, not only to the physicians, but to employers and employees, I feel that the data provided in the publication does not even begin to scratch the surface of the problem.
In 1999, I was convinced I had cancer because the abdominal pain was so severe and it involved the right upper quadrant and kidneys. I had made several trips to the emergency room, where I was given morphine injections and released to go home. The doctors tried to cover for each other. One told me the elevated sugar reading and the orange urine was due to something I ate. Yet, another one even told me I was pregnant - and I had not been sexually active for almost two years!
I decided to treat myself with herbs and vitamins. I was unsure of what to take, but it seems that in July, I hit a good combination. On July 7th, I passed a mass, about three inches long, and about two inches in diameter. On July 15th, I had a CT scan, which revealed a 9 cmm lymphoma, in the left upper quadrant, which was compressing the stomach.
The doctor did not tell me about the findings, but I continued taking the same vitamins and herbs. In September 1999, I received a call from the doctor's office, instructing me to go over for another Scan. I had the repeat. Although the mass was no longer there, there were the scars left as a remainder.
I was referred to the Gastroenterologist for a follow-up consultation, and it was then that I found out about the mass. The GI suggested surgery to remove the scars, but my doctor declined.
In February of 2000, upon discovery of the re-growth of the mass, I started Dr. Gerson's cancer therapy. Have had ups and downs, but I have been free of bruising and knee swelling for about two months.
My quest is now for a doctor who knows how to diagnose the toxicity of my hands and arms, and the effects on the respiratory system (I was diagnosed with airways disease).
My fingers were webbed together and my knuckles bled. The palms appeared to have been covered by plexy-glass, and the nerves seem to be stuck together. I had to wear balls of paper, pieces of wood, or anything that would fit between my fingers, as it felt the bones were being squeezed together (like when someone almost breaks your hand on a handshake).
For the last two months or so, I have been removing some of the coating on the palms, by scraping with a serrated knife, and they look better, but the dorsum, including the part of tissue that had been "glued" to the palm, but is now returning to the right side of the hand, is yellow.
The tissue at the Ulnar site (right worse then left), seems to be "glued", and the median nerves, seem to be stuck between the elbow and the wrist, where the ulnar nerve should be. My head and neck are pulled down when I use my hands and arms, because it seems that the nerves, muscles and tendons have shrunk. When I squeeze my hands to write, brush my teeth, comb my hair, button my clothes, etc, it feels that I am squeezing on my neck. Several times during the day and night, the whole hand (both hands) feels like it is being smashed, like someone stepping on them.
According to one of the manufacturers of carbonless paper, "an image generating force, typically pressure, is applied to the former, causing the CB microcapsules to rupture and release the encapsulated contents to the surface of the CF sheet where the color forming reaction occurs."
As you can see, not only the printer can release the toxins, but also manual pressure while handwriting, folding, pulling, spreading, filling, etc., and the friction and heat from the hand increases the reaction. The folding of the CF sheet also causes rupture of the microcapsules, as friction occurs. You can verify this last statement by going into your purse or files, and finding a folded copy of a charge slip. You will notice that the surface appears smeared, because of the rubbing and pressure, especially at the crease.
What else causes friction? Old forms are more sensitive and will leak, or bleed, with little friction, such as that of the air conditioning draft. Or it will leak just with the passing of time. Simply observe an old copy printed on this kind of paper. You will notice that the printing appears to be fading; however, it is not really fading. Indeed, what has happened, is that the microcapsules on the whole sheet have bled, coloring the rest of the paper, and blending it with the printed portion.
In addition to all the previous diagnoses, I was diagnosed with Toxic Encephalopathy, due to the formaldehyde on the paper. There is no antidote for formaldehyde, and the changes are permanent.
While there is nothing that can be done for me, I hope that our State Governor, takes a serious look into the situation, not for me, but on behalf of all at-risk workers. If the manufacturing and use of this paper cannot be made illegal, warnings should be placed on the packaging -- like it is done with cigarette packages -- and across each single form. The employers should be taught about the dangers, and should be willing to accept responsibility if in spite of warnings. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is not only caused by repetitive motion, and Fibromyalgia is not caused by emotional stress. Formaldehyde hardens the nerves and tendons, eats through the myelin and cartilage, damaging inter-vertebral discs, joints and bones, and weakening muscles. The toxicity from the formaldehyde is compounded by the effects of the benzene, the resins, solvents, color formers, and other toxic substances on the carbonless copy paper, all of which are known to cause cancer in humans.
I am currently doing the whirlpool for my hands and arms, and going to the sauna.
In addition, I have been trying sleeping with the flimsy gloves intended for use by food handlers. I notice that this stimulates palmar perspiration and decreases the burning on my arms while I am in bed. Decrease or cessation of palmar perspiration is one of the symptoms Dr. Gerson noticed on patients with toxic syndrome -- which I now identify with interference and damage to the lymphatic vessels. I wonder if those healthy individuals who are undergoing cosmetic procedures to stop perspiration, are aware of what they are doing to their body.
Not only do these toxins affect brain and lung function, and cause wasting of the body in general, but they cause reproductive problems. Several of us had miscarriages, and one of the data entry employees gave birth to two children with brain defects. I see the roach and ant exterminating commercials, exterminating the females, killing the eggs, and sharing the fumes at home. Does it not look very similar to what is happening in the work place?
Update February 2003
I ran into an ex-coworker with a different employer. She told me about her husband's death, which began as a swollen leg and knee - - like I had. He had a biopsy, went into a coma, and never woke up. She said her husband used to work for my employer, where I got injured. I asked if an autopsy had been performed, but it was not done, and the results from the biopsy were never disclosed. I did not think the Coroner would be interested in contributing to a case against the employer. I assume he had lymphoma. Damage to the lungs and central nervous system would account for the adverse reaction to the anesthesia, inducing the coma.
This reminded me of the inter-office mail courier, who used to distribute the printed batches of carbonless copy paper, from the center to the different offices. He was in the process of delivering the printed carbonless copy paper to one of the offices, when all of a sudden, he felt weak. He went to his car to rest, where was found dead two hours later. He had been exposed to the fumes from the printed stuff in his car, for so long, that I presume, he went into shock. We were told no apparent cause of death was found.
For information links about carbonless copy paper see Carbonless Copy Paper and Pregnancy Risks