CAVE

Hi Everyone,

It's been a difficult week at the Cave.  Last Friday when I left work, I had a sore throat, a nasty headache and sinus pain.  John was kind enough to make me some homemade chicken soup when I got home.  As the weekend went along, my 'cold' seems to get worse.

On Sunday, I noticed some posts on Facebook from my friends who said a lot of rangers had gone home sick with headaches, and other assorted ailments.  Monday brought more sick rangers at Carlsbad, and eventually the Visitor's Center and Cave was closed.  I was supposed to return to work on Tuesday, but was called Monday night to be warned that the Cave would probably remain closed.  Sure enough, it was closed all day Tuesday.  Just was well, I was still sick.

Wednesday morning the park superintendant, decided they'd reopen the cave at or about Noon.  I arrived at the park about 11:30, still not feeling great, but a little better.  There were several OSHA investigators (both State and Federal) monitoring the air quality...  Seems that the elevator contractor was painting something in the elevator shaft.  The compound wasn't approved by NPS.  Then, they left rags with the solvent of some kind in the elevator shaft over the weekend.  The odors from the paint (or solvent, or whatever) was flowing into the Visitor's Center (the cave breathes naturally, and the air often races up the elevator shaft on windy days into the VC).  The odor was toxic, and has caused various reactions to our staff, ranging from chemical pneumonia, vomiting, dizziness, sinus irritation and headaches. 

Apparently, the fumes had been around Wednesday of last week (maybe earlier) and lasted until the following Monday when the cave was officially closed.   Our park superintendant was asked to close the cave on Sunday, when our staff figured out what was going on, but he refused.  By Monday he had no choice.  Safety first... right... well, only if it's convenient! 

Now the contractor will have to pay the medical bills of all the staff (around 50+) who were sickened, or exposed to the paint, solvent, whatever.  Some of the chemicals we were exposed to were known carcinogens.  Since we were all only exposed for a few days, the symptoms we were experiencing may be the only effects we will feel.  Long term effects to staff... ??? 

Thursday I was sent for bloodwork to be monitored for ill effects.  My 'cold' was most likely my bodies defense from the chemicals.  Lucky for me, the Sunday and Monday were the worst days of exposure and they are my days off!  Yesterday, Friday, I was hoarse from doing a tour the day before, and really felt like crap so I stayed home.  Being in a damp wet cave really isn't good for a cold (or whatever I had). 

Of course, now that the contractor will most likely be sued, I'm not sure when they will finish the elevators.  They were supposed to be done soon (although we've heard that before), but I'm sure they didn't plan on this latest issue.

Today, I'm feeling much better. I'm not back to work again until Tuesday. That should be sufficient time to get rid of the lingering effects.

Miss you all,

Love,

VAL & JOHN and the kitties!!!!