Workplace Wellness

What are you exposed to in your workplace?

We talk a lot about exposure in the home to various toxins, emissions and of course EMRs (electromagnetic radiation from a variety of sources), but how often do we think about our workplace?

One of our team here at Elements of Health, moved away from the area and took on a new part-time role as a vet nurse. It was her dream job because she was crazy about animals, but with her awareness borne out of working with us in the dispensary for quite a number of years and her own knowledge, she asked what she should do about her exposure to x-ray and anaesthetic in her new workplace.

That got me thinking!

While you expect that your employer is keeping your welfare in mind, and there are many regulations that employers need to abide by, there are many situations where some exposures are so common that they are just taken for granted and overlooked as a potential health issue for employees.

It’s all good until it’s not good and sometimes an exposure or a stress can be the straw that breaks the camels back, tipping you over into immune dysfunction, difficult recovery, and perhaps even long term health issues.

Some things once inhaled, ingested or absorbed cannot easily be undone and may set up health issues which can include lung, liver, gut and urinary issues as the body attempts to excrete the excess toxins. An overloaded system is a challenged system and while the body will always do its best to maintain homeostasis or balance, sometimes the system becomes so toxic that it is hard for it to do its job.

These are the seven main types of hazard you are likely to be exposed to in the workplace. Most of these you would be aware of and your employer should be across the regulations for any of these hazards.

  1. Safety hazards
  2. Biological hazards
  3. Physical hazards
  4. Ergonomic hazards
  5. Chemical hazards
  6. Work organization hazards
  7. Environmental hazards

Radiation, mobile phone base stations, 5G towers and similar

Radiation is one of the biggest unseen hazards and I did a bit of digging and came up with a ready-made list of industries where this is likely to be a higher risk.

There are a variety of types of radiation, including natural radiation, which may be quite high in some areas of Australia. So even if you are working in the great outdoors, the potential for being exposed is still there.

If you live in a city this is really unavoidable and you may not even be aware of a problem. We have certainly seen clusters of things like breast cancer among people whose workplace is near a mobile phone tower, and this does create some concern about our health in the longer term.

We are frequently told that there is no established scientific evidence that the low levels of exposure to these and other devices have any health impact, but there is evidence to the contrary, so it is wise to consider the impact on our health until we really know for sure.

The industries below are those which we would consider areas of high exposure to a variety of toxic substances, and the list also includes pregnant workers.

  • Dental workers
  • Emergency workers and helpers
  • Extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields workers
  • Industrial radiography workers
  • Medical workers
  • Mineral sand mining and processing workers
  • Radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation workers
  • Veterinary workers
  • Workers exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from the sun and artificial sources
  • Pregnant workers!!

EMRs Generally

Our lives revolve around the internet, our mobile phones and other smart devices both at work and at home, and our exposure to electromagnetic radiation continues to climb as we’ve moved from 3G to 4G to 5G, each with higher levels or different types of radiation. Every classroom has wifi, we’re all firmly attached to our mobile phones, and really our world is a web of EMRs – there’s no avoiding it, unless you’re out in the middle of the desert.

What I’ve observed over time is that certain levels of toxicity within the system can cause our bodies to behave like giant conductors of these EMRs and can play havoc with our health. High levels of copper in our bodies, for instance, an insidious and common problem these days if affected by the plastics and hormones in our environment, as well as of course copper pipes in our homes and similar. Microplastics which are being found in our bodies, not just out in our oceans, are a source of xenoestrogens which raise our copper levels, among other things. Hormones such as oral contraceptives, IVF drugs, hormones in our food and in our water. Some forms of chemicals, create huge sensitivity in the sufferer, making them much more susceptible to effects from over-exposure to EMRs.

Some of the heavy metals which we see elevated in our bodies are also going to contribute to this “conductor” effect of our bodies to the effects of EMR at home and in our workplace. And there is now a thought that the chronic and widely seen low levels of iron are related to this whole issue.

You can read our previous blogs on EMR/EMFs below:

EMF and your health: what is the impact of technology

Kids and EMFs; at home and at school

Workplace Displays and Screens

It has been found that too much screen time can lead to obesity, sleep problems, chronic neck and back problems, depression and anxiety.

It’s important to make sure that your work station is ergonomically designed and suits your needs. Your workplace should ensure you take adequate breaks or do something different from time to time.

Also read our blog on Homeopathy for the Eyes about the very high incidence of myopia (short sightedness) in the whole population from too much screen time! It contains a list of suggestions for work eye health.

Incorrect use of or poorly designed workstations or work environments can lead to pain in necks, shoulders, backs, arms, wrists and hands as well as fatigue and eye strain. The causes may not always be obvious.

Noise

If any of the following applies to your organisation, you will want to evaluate whether noise is an ongoing problem for your health.

  • The noise is intrusive – like a busy street, a vacuum cleaner or a crowded restaurant, or worse than intrusive, for most of the working day.
  • Employees have to raise their voices to have a normal conversation when about two metres apart for at least part of the day.
  • Employees use noisy powered tools or machinery for over half an hour daily.
  • Your sector is one known to have noisy tasks

Toxic fume inhalation

A rare yet extremely dangerous risk that can unknowingly affect staff is toxic fume inhalation. Toxic fume inhalation typically stems from inhaling the fumes of harmful chemicals or substances.

This is potentially an issue if there is a business or industry creating emissions within your workplace area.

What are some of these substances?

  • Products containing chemicals
  • Fumes
  • Dust
  • Vapours
  • Mists
  • Nanotechnology
  • Gases and asphyxiating gases
  • Biological agents

Dental Amalgams

More specifically related to the dental profession, a quick note about dental amalgams and the more modern variations of these products.

Over-exposure to mercury amalgam vapours can result in development of antibiotic resistance of the bacterial flora of the oronasal region. Incorrect removal of these amalgam can also increase risk for both patient and dental staff.

We all think that dental amalgams are a thing of the past; those old fashioned mercury fillings that we know are so toxic. In my work as a homeopathy, I’ve come across dental nurses and children of dental nurses who have issues related to constant low level exposure to mercury.

Just recently in a dental practice here in Tasmania, I was offered a mercury amalgam! When I commented that I thought they had been banned, the dentist was very offhand and said “oh no, all perfectly safe, we still do them!” So don’t always believe your medical professional. Some of them haven’t updated their skills and are clearly burying their heads in the sand with regard to your safety and that of their staff!

Note: Mercury as a homeopathic remedy is not always the solution for this exposure, although can be useful as a first remedy. Selection of an individualised remedy may be necessary depending on the symptoms the patient or worker experiences and will require professional selection for best outcomes.

Anaesthetics

In some workplaces, such as veterinary and dental medicine, anaesthetic is commonly and frequently administered and it’s another one of those things that may not be considered a workplace hazard despite potential for inhalation. Exposure may also potentially be via the skin, as easily as via inhalation.

Pregnancy

Exposure during pregnancy can become part of the make up of a child’s health or “soil” and sets a baseline, along with a range of other exposures during this timeframe.

There was a very big study of the impact of ultrasound on Chinese babies some years back, which showed development delays and a range of other health issues from not just over-exposure, but exposure generally.

Vaccinations, drugs and medicines, toxic relationships, shocks and frights are all things which have an impact on the mother and often the baby. The method of delivery and the nature of intervention are big causations for issues in the baby and sometimes the mum, if traumatic.

We’ve had a tendency to consider that alcohol and soft cheeses are our big risks in pregnancy, but actually there are many more things we may be unwittingly exposing ourselves and our babies to.

Workplace Stress

This is a big one! So much stress these days, so much pressure to achieve, so many targets, so much noise and nastiness. This may well be the biggest workplace exposure and it is likely to be the culprit for many health issues that we see. I’ve certainly supported a lot of clients through mental health issues from workplace bullying over the years.

Just managing work-life stresses on a day to day basis is enough. But being a parent and navigating the demands of work, children, working out what to do when sickness strikes, and managing everyday life is more than enough without the additional pressure of a nasty work environment.

General Comments

Some substances we are exposed to can cause asthma or other diseases, including cancer. Many can damage the skin, and some can cause serious long-term damage to the lungs or liver.

The effect can be immediate, such as dizziness or stinging eyes, or can take many years to develop, such as lung disease. Many of the long-term or chronic effects cannot be cured once they develop.

We do need to start looking around us and asking what is our normal and what perhaps is an exposure that we don’t need. Perhaps if we cannot avoid something we need to consider how we can protect our system against it.

Don’t always expect that your employer will take responsibility for your health. Sometimes, as with the recent manufactured stone/granite issues, employers may have been lax, but in reality perhaps the worker themselves have not accepted the seriousness of the situation.

What can you do?

So writing this part of the post was a little challenging. Figuring out how to apply some of our common and useful remedies when you’re under a situation of constant exposure to a physical or mental stress. Some of the notes below require a little lateral thinking. I’ve listed when they may be used for an actual reaction to an exposure so you get an idea of whether the symptoms you have might be as a result of a regular exposure and you can then try a dose here and there as a prophylactic.

Best option is always going to be to consult with your homeopath to set up an individualised protocol, to remove yourself from the situation or to remove the exposure, but sometimes its hard to do that when you’re in a job you love, but you just can’t cope with the environment.

You need to strengthen your whole system rather than detox or take remedies to stop the symptoms, but again that’s not always a possibility.

A Note on Water

I think we’re all pretty much up to speed on the issues not with just the water these days, but the plastic bottles. If you are a great hydrator, do ensure you are drinking well filtered water, preferably from a high quality water filter – and you can get in-bottle filters now too. Question the natural and mineral waters you buy and do explore their credentials and consider the airmiles.

There has been a recent study on the microplastics shedding through single-use plastic bottles, recycled plastic or not, so do consider your use of plastic bottles. There are the “everything free” types of plastic bottles, which are good from a weight perspective but glass and stainless steel may be less of a risk.

Don’t forget to wash your bottle regularly, including all the small parts, as over time they can grow and harbour bacteria if you don’t take care of them!

Single Homeopathics

All the remedies discussed below, both single and combinations, are available in our online store.

Arnica – Arnica is one of our all time favourite remedies. If you have nothing else, have it in your kit or your handbag. Physical and mental trauma, accidents and injuries and the bigger picture of when to use Arnica. It’s such a useful remedy we even have a blog about it, Arnica – the King of Remedies.

It’s a great remedy when people feel battered and bruised by life, have perhaps suffered abuse in the workplace, find it a struggle to be there and always feel like they have been run over by a truck when they get up for a work day.

A useful remedy also for sore neck or back from a poorly set up work station or over-exertion in a very physical job, maybe helping birth a calf or digging a ditch.

Aconite – First remedy to think of when you’re at work and you start to experience that scratchy throat or runny nose that may indicate the onset of a cold or other acute illness. It’s also a major shock remedy, so bad news, fright or similar.

Ant Tart – Respiratory symptoms in chesty patients subjected to anaesthetic. White coating on the tongue. Suggestion by one author is to take for 3 days before and one week after any procedure with anaesthetic. This would be for a situation where you are the one having the anaesthetic. But if you are starting to experience these symptoms from over-exposure you need to consider the fact that this is an issue and talk to your workplace.

For workers, I would generally suggest taking the remedy in 30c weekly to support the system, if it seems to fit the picture, but again supporting and strengthening the whole system is going to bring best outcomes.

Apis – Has an affinity for anything where there is swelling and heat, particularly oedema following anaesthetic. It’s also a remedy for bites and stings with stinging and burning pain, swelling and heat, and allergic reactions with the same.

Chamomilla – local or systemic effects of local anaesthesia with irritability and pain. Where perhaps menstrual symptoms are worse when you are being exposed to regular anaesthetic through your work, or maybe just general anger around that time of the cycle.

Euphrasia – an all round useful remedy for the eyes.

Hypericum – nerve damage especially by anaesthetic, shooting pains, accidents or injuries with nerve pain.

Ipecac – nausea when exposed (or over-exposed) to anaesthetic or chemicals.

Ledum – Issues after a nerve block, needle stick injury – certainly a possibility in a workplace where needles are used extensively. Useful also for bruises which have not fully resolved after Arnica and are yellow, plus injuries to the eyes, and other wounds where a foreign body may have punctured the skin.

Merc Sol – This homeopathic remedy, made from potentised mercury, has the ability to help the system to resist mercury toxins if some of the mercury gets released from the amalgam filling. For high levels of toxicity in dental-nurses and similar, an individualised detoxing protocol with your homeopath would be advised as this is not something to DIY.

Nux Vomica – toxicity generally. One of our trusted remedies going back 200 years that has been used to support a system where liver and organs are challenged by a variety of toxins. Constipation may be an issue and night waking. It’s a good remedy for work stress where sleep is broken and the individual is prone to irritability, perhaps self-soothing with coffee, alcohol and other stimulants.

Ruta Grav – This is a remedy which has an affinity for bone pain (particularly following exposure to anaesthetic) and for issues with ligaments and tendons.

Sepia – For difficult menstrual days with irritability and pain, this remedy may be useful in getting you through. If symptoms do not resolve, consult with your homeopath for a more individualised solution.

Combination Remedies

AAA – Anxiety & Stress – A useful combination of homeopathics for anxiety and fear, which can be used occasionally when these symptoms arise. It won’t fix the problem but it is handy to have in your kit for those days when these emotions are overwhelming.

CRUX Exposure – If you are working in an environment where you are exposed to any type of medical equipment with emissions, regardless of how well protected the workplace is, this could be a useful remedy to take on a regular basis. Airport workers are likely to be highly exposed to a range of different machines, including the newest 3D body scanners. We are told these are perfectly safe but they do emit low levels of radiation which over time may be revealed as a cause of health concern.

Electro Emissions – We are constantly bombarded with radiation and EMR waves from digital/mobile phones and towers, televisions, micro-waves, computers, high tech medical equipment and power lines and now 5G is rolling out across the country.

Tiredness, irritability and stress can often be attributed to this unseen toxic shock to the body, but equally high users and sensitive individuals can experience a range of physical symptoms which can range from annoying to debilitating. If you suffer headaches, buzzing in head or ears, a sense of trembling or similar after using any electronic devices Electro-Emissions can be helpful in settling things down.

This product comes in drops, pilules and as a room spray, and is also part of our WyldChyld Essences as I-Clear. It can be added to water bottles to reduce symptoms of exposure while at work/school.

Enviro Toxins – Useful if you’re in a new workspace where there is off gassing from paints or carpeting, or where materials are replaced while you’re in the building and you experience symptoms from toxicity. Sensitive individuals may experience headaches, nausea, respiratory symptoms or allergies.

Get Prepped Our ever popular immune support combination which has seen us all through covid, seasonal influenza and other viral illnesses that pop up from time to time. Useful as a weekly support if you are in close quarters to your co-workers or taking public transport to work. Can be used as a first stage remedy for onset of symptoms.

Hayfever & Allergy If symptoms present like hayfever or an allergy, this may be a useful combination to have on hand for runny nose, cough, itchy eyes, etc

Hayfever 2 is an allergy combo that focuses more on the eye symptoms.

Soul Harmonics Resilience If things are really tough at work you might need a bit of courage, strength and resilience to keep going and this essence has proven itself time after time!

SOS – for life’s little dramas SOS is our own version of Rescue Remedy and was created to help manage the energy and experiences of the 21st Century; anxiety, stress, emotional ups and downs . . .

So grab one our zip around pouches and make yourself a little work remedy kit for your desk drawer or work bag to cover the things that you now know are an issue, or suspect may be an inssue, in your day!

Resources

About Melanie Creedy

Melanie Creedy is a Licentiate of the British School of Homeopathy in the UK and holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Homeopathy. She is registered with the Australian Register of Homoeopaths (AROH) and is a member of the Australian Homoeopathic Association. She was Vice President and Professional Development Coordinator of the Australian Homoeopathic Association from 2011 to 2015 and editor of the AHA National Newsletter from 2012 to 2020.

Melanie has used homeopathy since the mid-1980s and has been in practice since 1998. For many years she ran The Children’s Ear Clinic in Western Australia, but after a tree change to Tasmania, has a special interest in helping individuals manage their life and health through looking at a diagnosis or condition in relation to the symbolism of this unique picture. Armed with a range of remedies from the most common to the most unusual and esoteric, Melanie guides people to plumb the depths of their life and spiritual path with homeopathy to help them find insights, to understand and to heal.

Melanie has developed her own methods of dealing with complex cases over the years and offers distance consultations via phone and zoom to allow people Australia-wide to access her services.

For many years Melanie taught people how to use homeopathy in their homes, with their children and with their pets. She has run classes on how to use homeopathy with native animals and taught courses on homeopathy  for birthing to doulas. Since moving to Tasmania she has found writing a better forum to reach more people. You will find many posts reaching back over her 25 years in practice here, revised and updated over time.

Homeopathy is a traditional medicine. It may be used in conjunction with other medicines. For any ongoing chronic condition, it is important to be assessed or examined by your healthcare professional or specialist. Always seek medical advice in emergencies. The information on our website and in this article does not constitute medical advice. It is referenced from traditional homeopathic texts and is for information only. If in doubt as to the appropriateness of a treatment seek advice from your GP or your registered homeopath.

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