WORK-RELATED HEADACHES’ CAUSES: CHEMICALS

Chemicals can cause physical problems in just the same way that foods can. There are two routes: the first is a direct pharmacological effect where the amount of the response relates directly to the dose of the substance. The second type of response is an allergic effect, in which only a small amount is needed to trigger a large, maximal reaction.

However, in practice it is not always easy to separate pharmacological and allergic effects, particularly when dealing with chemicals which are very toxic, but which still work in a pharmacological fashion, so that only tiny doses are needed to do a lot of damage.

Because pharmacological and allergic effects work on the body in different ways, it may help to know by which route a particular irritant is working. For example, antihistamines may help block an allergic effect, but are unlikely to help where a chemical is producing a direct pharmacological response.

These chemicals may produce ‘ordinary’ headaches, or act as triggers to produce migraines. Typical chemical agents that cause headaches include paint thinners; the petroleum-based products that exude out of paint after hardening; chemicals released from newly manufactured synthetic carpets; printing inks and chemicals used in photocopiers; the solvents used in dry cleaning; carbonless copying paper; duplicator ink, and, of course specific chemicals used in industrial processes.

Testing to find which chemical causes the damage must be done by careful elimination. Treatment is principally by recognising the cause and avoiding the trigger substances. Better ventilation may help considerably; extractor fans and air filters may be appropriate in some industrial processes. Wearing an over-garment that you don’t take, home will minimise your contact with splashed substances at work. Where the chemical is operating through an allergic route, anti-allergy measures will be appropriate.

*125\20\2*

Share and Enjoy: