In April we moved into my grandmother-in-law's mobile home, after she had passed away. Before that we were living with my in-laws, after losing our home to Lyme.
This mobile home has a chemical smell. No one else seems to notice, but I do. I can't ever get any improvement since we moved in here.
What can I do? We can't move, we're poor thank to Lyme. But I'm worried I'll die in these conditions. Is there anything I could do?
Posted by Jordana (Member # 45305) on :
I see you're in Texas. Do you want to try sleeping outside for a couple days? There could be a way to work that out, no? Tent? Canopy?
People with mold problems and bad chemical sensitivity sometimes do this.
Posted by SickSam (Member # 45330) on :
No way I could do that. I'm way too sick for that, plus it's been really cold here lately. Wish I could.
Posted by SickSam (Member # 45330) on :
I really don't want to seem ungrateful to anyone in my family. I mean, we've been given a very nice home. I could even be wrong about this. I just don't know.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
It's probably the formaldehyde. So sorry to hear.
Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :
quote:Originally posted by SickSam: I really don't want to seem ungrateful to anyone in my family. I mean, we've been given a very nice home. I could even be wrong about this. I just don't know.
- How old is it?
Posted by SickSam (Member # 45330) on :
I think so. ): ): ): I think that's why I'm not improving.
I think it was manufactured in 2004.
It's like it never aired out. Still has that chemical smell.
Posted by Rumigirl (Member # 15091) on :
You could try getting a really good air purifier and see if that helps. It may not be the total fix, but could help. Money issues for those of us who are sick with Lyme & co is a really big deal (no news to you!).
I think that the best shot of this helping would be with a purifier that works with a small amount of ozone to purify toxins. I know that not all will agree with me on using that type, but after many decades of studying the issues and working with this type, I feel that they can be very useful, especially for outgassing, mold, etc.
Posted by SickSam (Member # 45330) on :
I've looked and none of them seem to do a very good job of filtering VOCs. I do have a pretty good HEPA purifier.
I'll have to check out the ozone. I've never heard of it prior ting toxins before. I'll definitely look at that.
I've thought about trying to get a bunch of houseplants, but it's kinda the wrong time of year for that.
Posted by Jordana (Member # 45305) on :
Google Fu.
Ozone purifiers are good for mold but outgas molecules are too small to filter with them. I found this recommended on a site with too much text:
Seems like a winner with people with MCS.
Posted by SickSam (Member # 45330) on :
That's for googling for me Jordana. (: my brain is so fried.
I think it's just the activated carbon that filters out formaldehyde though, and it only removes like 40% or 60% or something like that. I researched a while back and I think that's what I found.
I have a nice Honeywell purifier now with a carbon pre-filter. I *think* it'll do the same thing, but I'm not 100% sure. Wish there were some way to filter out all the VOCs.
Posted by Jordana (Member # 45305) on :
Yeah I think the website said something like that. It did say that it helps to change the filter A LOT.
Posted by SickSam (Member # 45330) on :
I just beat mine out last time it was dirty, lol. Later it occurred to me that I can't beat out formaldehyde no matter how hard I try. I should probably change it more often, maybe that would help.
Posted by Jordana (Member # 45305) on :
I also quickly read that if you have a bad reaction to the smell of vanilla you're sensitive to the aldehydes.
Posted by SickSam (Member # 45330) on :
That's interesting. I actually like the smell of vanilla, so maybe that's a good sign for me.
Posted by MannaMe (Member # 33330) on :
Can you open windows to air things out?
Say open the bedroom window for an hour in the morning after you are up. Close it again to warm up the room before you need to go back to bed.
Posted by WPinVA (Member # 33581) on :
How about doing a mold test to start?
I know you said "chemical smell" but smells can be hard to pin down. I literally just had a conversation with a mold inspector about off-gassing of chemicals and he said to start with mold tests, fix anything there and then look to chemicals.
He said it's easier to pinpoint chemical odors after taking care of any mold.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
Jordana, I'm fine with vanilla, so that's not true for me, re formaldehyde, which I'm chemical-sensitive too and allergic too, as well, per dermatological patch testing I did.
Posted by Robin123 (Member # 9197) on :
If it's formaldehyde, I think you will need to talk with experts regarding whether any filter can help you.
As a chem sensitive person, I cannot be exposed to formaldehyde.
You could contact:
1)Dr Lisa Nagy, MA doc (I think I can say her name here - she's not a Lyme doc - she's an environmental safety doc) 2)Bill Rae in TX - he helps people get over chem sensitivity
3)EcoHome Improvement, store in Berkeley, CA - for their knowledge and referrals to experts.
If they give you options, fine, but if formaldehyde is not possible, you will need a more chemical-free space.
Posted by SickSam (Member # 45330) on :
MannaMe, I wish we could leave the windows open all the time. The way our bedroom is, the widows are hard to open, especially with how weak I am. It's starting to get really cold here too, and I'm really cold intolerant with Lyme.
WP, I really don't believe we have mold, but you never know. Our house still seems like new actually, very well cared for. But you never know, maybe there's a hidden leak somewhere, or maybe there's some in our mattress. Thanks for the tip. Do you know if there's a self-test kit for mold, or do you have to have an expert come test? At least air purifiers can help with mold in the meantime if that's an issue.
Robin, thanks for the tips! If there aren't any options though, I don't know how a more chemical-free space will be possible.
I wonder, is there a test for formaldehyde? I think I'll google that.
Posted by SickSam (Member # 45330) on :
Sweet! I just found a formaldehyde monitor. They do exist!
![[Frown]](frown.gif)