Expert: Henry Boyter - 10/18/2006

Question
I work as a Water Treatment Operator, the facility that I work at has 12 open bay filters that are feed Hypo approx 23% solution, I work 13 hour shifts 12 days a month. The ventilation that is provided is high up on the ceilings and does not provide adequate protection, recently during a high chlorine demand I burned my eyes during backwashing, clouds of chlorine form over these filters when we backwash, we are required to keep the building closed for security reasons. Since I have worked here for a year there has been 4 cases of cancer, one breast, one prostate, one brain, one lung.  I have diabetes, fibromyalgia, and my father died of bone cancer. My concerns are that the hypo may be a factor or cancer causing agent. Where can I find reliable information that will protect me?

Answer
First, in such a situation, you should be talking to your employer about the lack of ventillation and how to improve it.  If you are having symptoms, you should go to your doctor for evaluation.  If you feel you are in danger, but don't get a response from your employer, you have the right to call OSHA to have the situation evaluated (if your employer is covered by OSHA).  I have listed two links about sodium hypochlorite and chlorine.  They don't list and I have never heard of either associated with cancer.
Without seeing the operation itself, I really can't provide you any more information.

http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/rtkweb/1707.pdf

http://www.state.nj.us/health/eoh/rtkweb/0367.pdf