Formaldehyde/MDF Dust Exposure... Now diagnosed with Long Term Asthma

[Deepbluesomething]

Hi All,

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience of MDF Dust and Formaldehyde Gas lung damage.

I was working in a school as a Design Technology Teacher in December last year on a temporary contract until May. I started practical work with the students in Early January with many classes and we were using MDF as the main material. Within a few weeks I had gone through many symptoms starting with bloodshot eyes, then a bleeding and scabby nose, dry throat, swollen glands, coughing up blood and then finally taken to hospital after my body fitting and I was unable to breathe. I then found out that the first disc Sander we had been using had never been emptied and was blocked with dust and the second sander had a hole in the extraction hose.

I have struggled to breathe ever since. I can only walk slowly and can't do any exercise as I used to.

I'm desperate for any info as it has been a horrible experience. Luckily the students were only in for short periods at a time but I was in the room from 7am untill 4pm every day.

Any advice or shared knowledge would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks 🙂

[Yatzy]

I went to live near a factory producing mfd and with the formaldehyde used in the process pumped out through tall chimneys. I stayed there for 18 years, without realising the effect on my breathing. I had mild asthma when I arrived, but it got very much worse over the years, so difficult to control, with stronger and more meds prescribed. I became more and more sensitive to my known triggers, especially salicylates, including all perfumes. Life became very difficult despite my best efforts. Controlling my asthma became a constant challenge.

I moved house four years ago, and my asthma has reduced considerably in severity, and life has become significantly easier. I still have to watch my triggers carefully, but have achieved better control. I have become more aware of the problem to my health of formaldehyde and avoid having mdf in the house unless thoroughly sealed with paint or laminate.

The house move was not intended to improve my health, but on noticing the change, I researched and realised that the mdf factory plus formaldehyde had caused me serious problems. I advise you to change jobs asap! Your health is more important that anything else in life.

[Deepbluesomething in reply to Yatzy]

Hi Yatzy,

That sounds awful. I'm glad moving away from the area helped you.

Was it a gradual improvement? I am 10 months down the line and it's still really affecting me. I'm hoping it may get slightly better over time.

It's such a dangerous substance. I will be avoiding it like the plague from now on 👍

Thanks for your reply

[Yatzy in reply to Deepbluesomething]

Hi Deepbluesomething,

Yes, it was a gradual improvement, damaged lungs are slow to heal, if they ever do! I realised the improvement was definitely happening over my first two years here….now hoping I’m going to go from strength to strength. Good luck to you too! ✅🦉

[Deepbluesomething in reply to Yatzy]

That great news. I'm trying to reduce my medication slowly. Fingers crossed for a gradual improvement. Good luck and good health to you 👍

[Yatzy in reply to Deepbluesomething]

just thought I’d add that despite my improved asthma, my medications have remained static. I use my reliever less (Brycanil) and as mentioned get hugely fewer reactions to triggers/flare ups. Medical advice was to proceed with great caution in reducing meds.

This summer I thought I would try stopping Montelukast, with asthma nurse and surgery pharmacist approval. It’s a slow acting drug and I felt no deterioration till about six or eight weeks later, when the old familiar wheezing crept back, with no obvious links with my usual triggers. So I restarted taking it, and about four weeks on, I was back to my improved self.

My GP has suggested trying to change my main inhaler, Seretide 250, to one with fewer steroid complications, but after the Montelukast stop, I feel reluctant to make further changes yet.

So although overall my asthma is hugely improved, and I’m much more comfortable, I can’t seem to backtrack on my meds established while dealing with formaldehyde and mdf. Maybe four years too soon to see great change?? But I’m long retired now (I was also in education) and your more youthful body might recover more successfully. Here’s hoping 🍀🫁

[Karenjaninaz in reply to Yatzy]

There wa a case report from the U.K. when a nurse got exposed to chlorine. Nothing worked for this young woman. In desperation they gave her Vit D3 2,000u daily and within a year all her symptoms abated. That dose is not excessive.

(Retired nurse anesthetist here.)

[Deepbluesomething in reply to Karenjaninaz]

Thanks for the information I'll read up on this. 👍

[Gareth57]

I worked as a joiner on housing developments for a number of years and worked with huge amounts of mdf during that time and almost no affect on my lungs at the time, if anything my asthma has deteriorated since I stopped building work and started something slower paced to ease (possibly work related) arthritis

[Yatzy in reply to Gareth57]

That’s a bit hard to fathom. Maybe it’s like some smokers who give up and experience more problems with breathing than when smoking, in the short term anyway?? Just a thought….maybe your breathing will improve over time.

[Gareth57 in reply to Yatzy]

unfortunately since I gave up working almost exclusively outside my lungs have got progressively worse 😩

[Deepbluesomething in reply to Gareth57]

That's awful to hear. I am feeling some releif from nose breath only now... Have you tried it? Lots of info online but the doctors have never mentioned it to me. I believe my lungs are damaged for life though. The school had no idea about Health and Safety and was putting the students and myself at great risk. Thankfully since I highlighted their failings it has all been changed there. It's just a bit too late for me unfortunately 😐

[Karenjaninaz in reply to Gareth57]

Garett there is US based web site “PulmonaryWellness.org.”

Lots of free, academically verified, info on self help no matter how bad the lungs.

[Deepbluesomething in reply to Karenjaninaz]

That's really nice of you. Thanks for the help x

[Wheezycat]

I have heard of this about MDF before, and I believe there is MDF that is less full of pollutants. I have never had reason to search this out - it was an article I read perhaps four years ago.

[Deepbluesomething in reply to Wheezycat]

Yes there is low formaldehyde MDF available. Unfortunately this wasn't used in the school I was in.

[Wheezycat]

I suppose it is more expensive. And it may not have stopped you getting your problems. I am sorry this has happened to you. As a society we are not sufficiently aware of dangers of indoor air pollution in various forms.