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Experience in the area Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.
Experience Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.
Question QUESTION: Hi Henry,i had a shed built in my garden and each time i visit the place my inner ears feel swollen and full and slightly sore.I have had them checked by doc and have had numerous allergy tests but all have come back negetive .I have been looking for an answer for three years now but to no avail.
Could it be a chemical reaction or something coming up through the ground maybe?Its a tough one to put on you i know but any clue will help.
Regards Lloyd
ANSWER: What is stored in the shed, what is it made of, what kind of floor does it have, what kind of ventilation does it have, and what kind of soil is below (peat, clay, sand)? How long do you stay in it before this conditions occur? Is it seasonal?
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QUESTION: Just to add a little something Henry,
i have laid a polythene plastic membrane on top of the slab,then a layer of insulation board and a tongue and groove chipboard floor.
Answer Thinking about your situation for a couple of days. Two things stuck out. You mention in your other shed things are "not half as bad". That would rule out almost anything related to the building materials itself.
It may be possible that you are growing mold and mildew in the flooring or lower walls, but your doctor should have checked for that in the allergy screen. Another possibility is that you have some of the sulfur contaminated Chinese drywall, but that was sold mostly in the southern USA.
You don't mention if this happens if you say, leave the window and door open for maybe 1 hour before. If it does, that eliminates many possibilities.
Please don't take offense at this, but the comment on the other shed makes me think you may be suffering from a little claustrophobia. You mention the other shed is smaller, but is it more open? Also, something you are breathing in the new one could make the phobia worse. Put yourself in a closet and close the door and see if it bothers you. I have a ting of it, so I know first hand.
The things I can suggest checking that may or may not help.
1. Always have the door and window open 30 minutes before using the shed.
2. Take the drywall out.
3. Pull up some of the floor and see if there is mold or trapped water.
4. Rent some large fans like are used for clearing smoke from building or rent what is called a negative air machine. With the window craked, these will change the air volume every few minutes. If it still occurs, it can almost not be the materials of the building.
There are many thing it could be (not the window gas, that is harmless). You may have to hire an industrial hygienist who can actually see the shed.
Is there any furniture or cabinets in the shed? I am taking that there is nothing but four walls and the floor. Nothing stored, nothing else.
