Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: terrymaloy on December 20, 2010, 07:19:34 pm
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Been in the carpet cleaning trade many years now and noticed my health (chest in particular) is deteriorating. :(
Over the past few years I have developed a cough / wheezing which shows no signs of dissapearing.
I'm in my mid 40s, dont smoke and usually in general good health.
Today, I was talking to a pal of mine ( a fellow carpet cleaner)...he's got the same cough...for months and months.
It may be a coincidence but we both use the same cleaning powder...Extracta Superchem.
The tub comes with a warning sign X contains Sodium Metasilicate. I've done some research and the readings and results of toxicity on this chemical isnt good especially if inhaled.
The skin on my hands particularly around the knuckles is often red raw, sore and bleeds.
Can anyone recommend an alternative powder / advice which isnt so harmful ?
Many thanks.
TM
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OK, first off from now on wear latex gloves, thats a crazy situation to be in, although it could be the wether in which case get some (unscented) hand cream/moisturiser.
And just checking please tell me you don't smoke?
I would ditch your enzynes except for really needy jobs and don't waft your lance around like Harry Potter which I see a lot on Youtube.
You can also wear a mask but this can scare small children... when you take it off.
Alternatively you could try Prochem Pureclean or better still for you premixed microsplitter products.
In a minute you will get people say use Nemisis/MPOWER colloids. I say a big NO!
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The tub comes with a warning sign X contains Sodium Metasilicate.
Any product that is 'super strong' is sure to have some side effect somewhere.
Why not try Pureclean from Prochem. Won't be anywhere near as strong as what you've been using and you may need to change the method as to the way you do things.
Add a bit of citra boost when needed to up the anti.
Or you could try any of the many micro splitters available that are safe.
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have you thought about going to the doctor for advice on your health? and contact dermatitis is also something that a doctor would be able to help you with more than us carpet cleaner. ;)
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Good point Mike. :-X
Although whenever I go to the Doc it's either.
Take these Ibrobrufen and if it hasn't got any better come back in a week
Yes, there's a nasty bug going around and in can take a few weeks to clear
You can't expect things to work like they did when you were a twenty year old.
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I live near Extracta, dont use anything from them, Stick to
PROCHEM CHEMSPEC CRAFTEX you'll not go to far wrong all of them been making for our industry for years
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I don't think we as carpet cleaners come into contract with more harmful chemicals than many other jobs, i think the aerosol cleaners that we use in the home are of more danger considering they create airborne particles that can easily be breathed in.
S/M is the active ingredient in lots of cleaning powders
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have you thought about going to the doctor for advice on your health? and contact dermatitis is also something that a doctor would be able to help you with more than us carpet cleaner. ;)
Yeah, went to the doctor and one of the first things he asked me was "What do you do for a living?"
He sent me away..told me to wear a mask and buy some cough medicine (extra strength) ::)
I hav'nt bothered going back ! ::)
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Extracta haven't moved with the times same old dated machinery and same formulation of their chemicals,I remember using their aerosol stain guard both me and my helper were coughing for days after using it. We as customers want safe chemicals to use for us as well as for our customers, agree try prochem or chemspec products
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Steve's made a good point about protector, not just extracta but if anything is going to floor you bar solvents it's protector. Alway always wear a mask. It's fine on frying pans but not on your lungs.
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Kev Lombes was coughing his guts up earlier this year when he inhaled some solvent protector (accidentally he said) he cancelled his jobs so it must have been bad!
Shaun
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They used to call him Uhu Loomes at the synagogue. ;D
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Barrier cream and work gloves for the hands.