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Christina
Deerslayer
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 27 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - February 18 2004 : 2:32:56 PM
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This is probably a stupid topic to start, but I have a question that I figure someone in Mohicanland, with all the diverse occupations and backgrounds, might be able to answer: Is breathing tar fumes for a long time hazardous to your health? Here's why I ask: SINCE DECEMBER 18th a crew of workers has been re-tarring the roof of part of our newspaper building. Now, first of all,don't ask me why it's taken this long to tar a flat roof that's a little bit longer than a football field, but anyway...the fumes are terrible. They've been seeping into the building nearly every day especially since we returned from holidays around Jan. 6. Just a few of the symptoms reported by workers here: nausea, headaches, chest pains, dizziness, nasal and respiratory congestion, asthma attacks, burning eyes, itching eyes, shortness of breath, runny nose, runny eyes, etc. etc. I myself developed a case of bronchitis in January I haven't been able to shake and I have chronic shortness of breath when in the building. The big poobahs in the head offices claim there's "no danger at all just an unpleasant smell"  but we found documents on line that document all kinds of potential hazards. Anybody know if we're all going to end up growing third eyes or something because of this? Right now the fumes in here are so bad I feel like I'm standing behind a city bus...
Just asking
 Christina
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daire
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
November 17 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - February 19 2004 : 10:53:39 AM
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I don't think you'll grow third eyes, but prolonged symptoms is never good. You all could probably go to your doctors and say the symptoms have lingered and if they are exacerbated while at work and see if there's anything you could do through Worker's Comp.
A friend's office was treated with pesticide (if I recall correctly) and everyone went down sick for about a day. Sorry you're getting nasty fumes; and that is an awfully long time to re-tar a roof.
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daire
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"I do not call myself subject to much at all."
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Dances with Beagles
Colonial Settler
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 19 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - February 19 2004 : 10:19:28 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Christina
Is breathing tar fumes for a long time hazardous to your health?
Everything I've ever heard/read about tar says yes, it can be hazardous....there can be short-term effects (like the ones you described), and over a longer period of time, chronic effects (possibly even cancer). But, "long-term" exposure might mean longer than what you will be exposed to, so don't panic! And there are many variables that can affect long term effects...not everyone who smokes develops cancer.
Tar is a complex mixture of hydrocarbons, containing hundreds of different compounds. Certain compounds, called PAH's, are often considered to be hazardous. But it could be any of the compounds in tar that are causing people to have symptoms.
For your reference, here is a link to one particular brand of roof tar, showing the MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet).
http://www.honeywellroofs.com/pdfs/msds/BlackArmorTarRoofMastic.pdf
It lists symptoms, safety measures, exposure control, etc. Ventilation is a good way to prevent exposure, but I'll bet that your building's air intake is...on or near the roof!
The effects you are experiencing now are certainly a reason for concern. If you are really worried and want some measurements, you can contact OSHA for help. Your grand poobahs might not like it...they may offer you some feathers to have with your tar...
Good Luck.
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