Janet,
Can tell I live on the western side of the country and the eastern people
are up before me to answer this. I have one novel idea that you need to check
out. This from personal experience. When was the last time you had your duct
work for your heater/Ac scrubbed out? I don't mean replacing the filters, I
mean having a professional come in and scrub the duct work clean! Over time
all the same stuff your filter traps, gets coated on the insides of your duct
work. It can become a massive breading ground for all sorts of things. The
filters only trap so much of it. With the increase in the temps due to the new
baby, you are using it more. When you do not have it turned on and the
ventilation system is pulling from where ever it can get air, you are dragging
more of the mess out than normal. Most people never think to have their duct
work scrubbed out. I had mine cleaned out in California, and suddenly my
almost daily migraines ceased. The vent in the bedroom blew
on my face when I was in bed. I woke up each morning with a horrible
headache.
As for the chemicals, if you have not changed your processing routine and
chemicals lately, I would downplay that aspect. Something is new to this mix,
and my suspicion is the duct work. If it was an allergic reaction, you would
have other symptoms besides the tightness in the chest. Telling your doctor
about using chemicals, he will not explore futher. Did you also tell him for
how many years you have been using them? Best thing to do is take the bottles
in with you when you talk to him. They will have the chemicals listed. For
black and white, the chemicals are pretty mild, and when mixed turn into inert
salts and water. In fact the air has a mix of the same chemicals, thus you are
getting the combined effect not a single effect. You get much worse chemical
exposure when you are using a cleanser to srub with. As to the acid components
you get more from woking with many of the ingredients you cook with. Pickles
come to mind when I think of food with more acids
and other junk in them.
It is a puzzle. IMO having used those chemicals before and no problems, I
would eliminate that factor.
Aggie
