Mr. Asthma

Question:

Frequently when I read the newspaper, especially the Sunday edition with lots of color, I begin to sneeze. I was wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I have been skin tested, but I don’t think they test for ink, do they? Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I am going to watch and see if I have to use my rescue inhaler after reading the paper in the future. I haven’t really been keeping track. It seems like no matter how odd the question is, someone in this group has something to offer. Thanks in advance for any responses. Joan

Response:

Sure that’s a valid allergy.  If not to the ink itself, to whatever solvent makes the ink liquid or even to the chemicals the paper is made with. What you need is a proper English Butler to iron the paper before you read it.  (This really is done to keep the ink from rubbing off.) Seriously, if this is a problem a preventive puff of the inhaler before you read the paper mught be as valid as a kid taking a puff before PE class. The Sunday paper would be worse not only because of the colored inks but because its volume would keep the ink from drying and airing out as well as the daily. Jo An Firey * Sent from RemarQ http://www.remarq.com The Internet’s Discussion Network * The fastest and easiest way to search and participate in Usenet – Free!

Response:

> Frequently when I read the newspaper, especially the Sunday edition with > lots of color, I begin to sneeze.

i know the smell of newsprint sets off my wife’s asthma. the regular black- and-white on crappy pulpy paper is worst with her, colours on glossy coated paper doesn’t seem so bad. before i met her, i was barely aware nesprint *had* a smell…

Response:

It could be the ink. Newspaper ink is  very slow drying and is soy bean oil based. It bothers me some. The slick magazines use more dryers in their ink and it would not have the volatile elements that newspaper ink has. — Gordon    W5RED www.couger.com/gcouger "You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take."   – Wayne Gretzky

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Frequently when I read the newspaper, especially the Sunday edition with > lots of color, I begin to sneeze. > i know the smell of newsprint sets off my wife’s asthma. the regular black- > and-white on crappy pulpy paper is worst with her, colours on glossy coated > paper doesn’t seem so bad. before i met her, i was barely aware nesprint > *had* a smell…

Response:

Holding a Philly hoagie in one hand, a 28-oz. cup of coffee in the >There are several different types of ink, with the major difference >being whether petroleum oil or soybean oil is used.  If you have a soy >allergy then you could definitely have trouble with the soy-based inks.

Most papers have switched to soy-based inks, as they are less expensive. They other issue, especially with the Sunday paper, and some with the Wednesday paper, is the quality of the paper used. There are all kinds of inserts that are imported to newspapers. The inserts are trucked in dusty trailers, around the country. Then they sit in a storeroom for a few days, to more than a week, depending on the newspaper’s policy, as well as storage facilities. That, in addition to the additional paper dust that would be present with a thicker paper, could be hitting you, causing the asthma to go off the high end. -dave (journalist who drove a semi for 2 years) Visit a journalist’s website: coming soon to the Net near you: *** http://www.scoop0901.net *** also visit: http://www.newsguy.com for commentary, newsgroups, and more!

Response:

> Frequently when I read the newspaper, especially the Sunday edition with > lots of color, I begin to sneeze. I was wondering if anyone else has > experienced this. I have been skin tested, but I don’t think they test for > ink, do they? Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I am going to watch and see > if I have to use my rescue inhaler after reading the paper in the future. I > haven’t really been keeping track. It seems like no matter how odd the > question is, someone in this group has something to offer. Thanks in advance > for any responses. > Joan

There are several different types of ink, with the major difference being whether petroleum oil or soybean oil is used.  If you have a soy allergy then you could definitely have trouble with the soy-based inks.

Response:

> Frequently when I read the newspaper, especially the Sunday edition with > lots of color, I begin to sneeze. I was wondering if anyone else has > experienced this. I have been skin tested, but I don’t think they test for > ink, do they?

Yes there is a skin test for "newsprint" but I don’t know if that refers to ink or paper or what. Reading papers or certain magazines sets off asthma so bad for me that I avoid it. The local paper here has most everything on-line now, though.

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > Holding a Philly hoagie in one hand, a 28-oz. cup of coffee in the >There are several different types of ink, with the major difference >being whether petroleum oil or soybean oil is used.  If you have a soy >allergy then you could definitely have trouble with the soy-based inks. > Most papers have switched to soy-based inks, as they are less expensive. They > other issue, especially with the Sunday paper, and some with the Wednesday > paper, is the quality of the paper used. There are all kinds of inserts that are > imported to newspapers. The inserts are trucked in dusty trailers, around the > country. Then they sit in a storeroom for a few days, to more than a week, > depending on the newspaper’s policy, as well as storage facilities. That, in > addition to the additional paper dust that would be present with a thicker > paper, could be hitting you, causing the asthma to go off the high end.

Yeah, I should have mentioned the paper as well.  A whole host of chemicals are used in the production of the paper, in addition to the use of several different species of wood and other materials.  The bleaching process in particular creates a number of rather nasty byproduct chemicals, some of which probably remain in the paper (while others are carried off in waste water).

Response:

haha!!! I use to work at a newspaper and was involved in many phases of it’s production.  Even was a presswoman for over a year and ran the presses so will share with you what I know.   To clean the rollers in the units we used a OSHA Class 4 substance we referred to as Blanket Wash.  Now this stuff would cause the hair to fall off my arms and I remember reading that it would cause prolong nerve problems if left to breathe the vapors for very long. Was much like kerosene.  Since then, the newpaper I worked for had switched to a water based solvent to clean the rollers with and such.  Hardly an odor to be detected but can not tell you for certain as to what classification of substance it was regarding OSHA standards or such. I rarely read a newspaper but was funny in an odd sort of way that I recently purchased one at a hospital rack when I was out of town not so long ago and was in fact, USA newspaper.  As you might know, area newspapers are often given the contract to print newspaper such as the nationwide publications!  Well, I was astounded to discover, this paper reeked of blanket wash!!!   Since I have been diagnosed with asthma, sometimes am sure that inhaling these vapors did not help in my younger years and will not help me or YOU now for sure!!  Would suggest that you call or write the editor of the newspaper and protest.  Not all papers smell the same or will possibly cause the same reaction.  Most inks are water soluble and is why most of the ink will rub off on you fingers when reading.  The inks are not the problem (less there are a few hokey pokey newspapers still using the oil-base inks but this is rare.) Either that or do what I do and read the news online! Best wishes!! cloud – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Frequently when I read the newspaper, especially the Sunday edition with >lots of color, I begin to sneeze. I was wondering if anyone else has >experienced this. I have been skin tested, but I don’t think they test for >ink, do they? Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I am going to watch and see >if I have to use my rescue inhaler after reading the paper in the future. I >haven’t really been keeping track. It seems like no matter how odd the >question is, someone in this group has something to offer. Thanks in advance >for any responses. >Joan

Response:

By the way, because of environmentalists and protests, most newspapers these days use recyclable newsprint…  I spent 20 years at a newspaper and in most phases of production and processing. Is also true about the inserts and perfumed ads and so forth… i sure would never be able to even read one daily  these days and did not read one much when i worked for a newspaper.  When I was challenged by higher ups for not reading the product i was partly responsible for producing, I would say, "Heck, if I worked for Alpo would not consume that either!!" cloud – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->Frequently when I read the newspaper, especially the Sunday edition with >lots of color, I begin to sneeze. I was wondering if anyone else has >experienced this. I have been skin tested, but I don’t think they test for >ink, do they? Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I am going to watch and see >if I have to use my rescue inhaler after reading the paper in the future. I >haven’t really been keeping track. It seems like no matter how odd the >question is, someone in this group has something to offer. Thanks in advance >for any responses. >Joan

Response:

> Frequently when I read the newspaper, especially the Sunday edition with > lots of color, I begin to sneeze. I was wondering if anyone else has > experienced this. I have been skin tested, but I don’t think they test for > ink, do they? Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I am going to watch and see > if I have to use my rescue inhaler after reading the paper in the future. I > haven’t really been keeping track. It seems like no matter how odd the > question is, someone in this group has something to offer. Thanks in advance > for any responses.

Lots of folks have sensitivity to inks, paper, printer/copier chemicals, etc. The type of reaction one gets depends on the person…some have difficulty breathing, some get headaches, etc. If you notice it bothers you, you should avoid reading the paper. Or maybe use a mask of some type to cover your nose and mouth when you read the paper. Some folks have gotten rid of or reduced their sensitivity to this thru NAET or a similar technique called TAT. ..diane

Response:

You can also read many newspapers over the internet. Carrie – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Frequently when I read the newspaper, especially the Sunday edition with > lots of color, I begin to sneeze. I was wondering if anyone else has > experienced this. I have been skin tested, but I don’t think they test > for > ink, do they? Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I am going to watch and > see > if I have to use my rescue inhaler after reading the paper in the future. > I > haven’t really been keeping track. It seems like no matter how odd the > question is, someone in this group has something to offer. Thanks in > advance > for any responses. > Lots of folks have sensitivity to inks, paper, printer/copier chemicals, > etc. The type of reaction one gets depends on the person…some have > difficulty breathing, some get headaches, etc. > If you notice it bothers you, you should avoid reading the paper. Or maybe > use a mask of some type to cover your nose and mouth when you read the > paper. > Some folks have gotten rid of or reduced their sensitivity to this thru > NAET or a similar technique called TAT. > ..diane

Response:

>  paper. > Some folks have gotten rid of or reduced their sensitivity to this thru > NAET or a similar technique called TAT. > ..diane > This is ..diane’s latest illogical, pet alterno-theory foisted on this > group. There is not a shred of evidence to support the theories and > practice of these techniques.

Just the evidence of thousands of folks who have used it…the results they have experienced firsthand. It is the results that are experienced that are key…not the theory. Theories are just attempts to explain what occurs or might occur. What is your experience with the treatment? Or are you just basing your comments on belief? ..diane

Response:

I’ve had the same reaction to newspapers and to lower quality paperback books. It used to mean regular sneezing and blowing sessions every morning. But now that I’ve been taking Singulair, symptoms are far less intense – most days I have no reaction at all. Karen – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > You can also read many newspapers over the internet. > Carrie > > Frequently when I read the newspaper, especially the Sunday edition with > > lots of color, I begin to sneeze. I was wondering if anyone else has > > experienced this. I have been skin tested, but I don’t think they test > for > > ink, do they? Maybe it’s just a coincidence, but I am going to watch and > see > > if I have to use my rescue inhaler after reading the paper in the future. > I > > haven’t really been keeping track. It seems like no matter how odd the > > question is, someone in this group has something to offer. Thanks in > advance > > for any responses. > Lots of folks have sensitivity to inks, paper, printer/copier chemicals, > etc. The type of reaction one gets depends on the person…some have > difficulty breathing, some get headaches, etc. > If you notice it bothers you, you should avoid reading the paper. Or maybe > use a mask of some type to cover your nose and mouth when you read the > paper. > Some folks have gotten rid of or reduced their sensitivity to this thru > NAET or a similar technique called TAT. > ..diane

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