Ah, the wonderful world of work
I had a hard time logging into blogspot for a few weeks there, but I'm back!When I got to work today, the Terminix guy was there, spraying unknown pesticide(s) in the building. There was an unfamiliar musty odor in the building that I assume was related to the pesticide(s) that he was using. I turned around and walked out of the building. The guy who had been applying the pesticide(s) didn't know or didn't want to tell me what he was spraying. Apparently, he was doing a "preventative" spraying for ants. He was not wearing any protective gear, but somehow this did not reassure me. He even pointed out some ants to the security guard outside of the building-- there were some on one of the trees outside of the building!! (apparently this is because he did not spray outside) Since I don't know what he sprayed, or how long it stays in the air, or how long it has been in use, or what its potential effects on the human body (particularly mine) can be, I went home. As far as I could tell, nothing was being done to air-out the building (ie, the door was not being kept open).
Our CEO called to tell me that noone smelled anything "off," and that if I left him high and dry like this, it would be counted as an "unexcused absence." (too bad we don't get sick days or personal days, since maybe I could have finagled my way into one) Since I already expose my body to more environmental pollutants and other irritants than what I would be comfortable with, I do not want to be exposed to a potentially very toxic chemical today (or exposing our patients to said chemicals). What sucks is that I was supposed to get a ride to work with someone who starts earlier than I do. If that had worked out, we would have been able to send that guy packing before he sprayed. Either that or I would have had to walk to BART or the bus! Anyhow, I hope they got someone whose body is less chemically sensitive than mine to come in and help them. I'm just not sure who that would be.
Speaking of staffing, the guy who had gotten the double-promotion got half-demoted a few weeks ago, so he is just the boss of my work area. He and I work together on 2 days. It sucks. I think it would go better if he were to work on the hardest day of the week, since the person doing his job when he's not in is not as experienced as he is, and I often have to fill in for her, which causes me yet more stress on the crazy-busy days. The woman who had gotten promoted got an even higher promotion (CEO's assistant with a really long title), and two women of color got promotions. So that's a bit better. We still need the anti-oppression training that I requested in December or January.
East Bay Pesticide Alert quotes the Pesticide Education Center:
There is abundant evidence of the risk toxic pesticides pose to human health. The most vulnerable populations are children, the developing fetus, the elderly, the ill and immunocompromised, and those with asthma, allergies, and other medical conditions. Most worrisome from a public health perspective are chronic health effects such as cancer, infertility, miscarriage, birth defects, and effects on the brain and nervous system. The PEC has more info at http://www.pesticides.org/educmaterials.html
posted by mahtin @ 1:54 PM
