I have moderate asthma which is currently under great control. My biggest trigger is mould and spores which affect me badly, particularly in the autumn. I’m embarking on a new project, which is very important to me, that will require me to be in a building for an hour or so several times a week that is very musty, a mustiness assails me as soon as I enter the building. Have only been once for a brief visit, and am not sure if my nose/ chest were affected noticeably (but nervous system was on alert for sure), they both feel a bit more lively/ blocked since but worrying that’s my equally lively imagination! But am now worried about how regular even if brief occasional work in this room/ buildings might precipitate a slide out of very hard won asthma control. Do you think such minimal exposure (an hour two or three times a week) is risky? I’m thinking I could maybe give it a go but unfortunately it’s the kind of project that would let people down if I were to find myself unable to continue in that space eventually. It’s quite a dilemma as now would be the moment to pull out rather than let anyone down and yet it’s a project I need to be doing.
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AutumnHedgerow
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My totally non-expert opinion is that it doesn't sound that minimal to me, and it would likely set me off if I were in an environment with multiple triggers for less than that. I do find the more triggers the more things get activated - a friend calls it 'trigger jenga'.
I do get that this project is important though - I hate missing out on things like this! Would it be possible to use some kind of breathing equipment? I don't know what would be suitable, but definitely more than a surgical mask - something designed for industrial work perhaps.
I'm not clear if this is a work or personal project: if work, do you have an occupational health department who could help with that?
I think you have to be up front with the people you may let down if you cannot finish it before committing yourself.
I organise a week long walking trip for my walking club once a year. I only do it on the basis that I have an assistant leader who can take over if my asthma flares. The walking club have no issue with this, it is just common sense.
Have you flagged this up to your? employers? It sounds a very unhealthy environment for anyone to work in, esp. for an asthmatic but I understand you want to work there. Mould is one of my major triggers and as soon as my asthma worsens I'm looking to treat the cause. I would definitely let them know your problem and if it's not possible to remove the cause you have to decide if it's worth your health. If you do and all your precautions fail, mask, inhalers etc they can't be surprised if you then have to back out. Good luck. 🤞
If you were aware of an issue now, in your better season of the year, then I would be concerned as to how you would react in the autumn, when your asthma is going to be dealing with more triggers generally, and when the mustiness of the building is likely to be worse.
Is there no way of improving the air quality in the building? If your project involves working with others, then it could well impact on them as well as on you.
thanks everybody, my concerns have been really helpfully validated by you all and it’s clear that I should stay well away. I’m now going to try and source another space that might be acceptable to the needs of the project, budget and powers that be. Fingers crossed. 😊
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