Effects of chemical exposure to carbon tetrachloride

Hi,

I worked at a nuclear weapons plant for 28 years from the 1960s to the 1990s.  Carbon tetrachloride (CT) was used extensively on plantsite and there were large releases from the roof vents.  We often opened the windows because we had no air conditioning.  Although I had no direct contact with CT, I did walk outside every day and went in and out of areas where CT was used.  I also went into areas where they were processing plutonium and beryllium.  When I started working there when I was 18, I had no health problems whatsoever.  Two weeks after I started, I had frequent sore throats.  Then I developed bronchitis, pneumonia, dry eye, headaches, brain fog, coughing, hives, cysts, allergies, skin irritations, fatigue, and adverse reactions to numerous medications.  

Since I have been away from the plant for 13 years, a lot of my symptoms, such as bronchitis and upper respiratory problems, have gone away.  However, I recently had a blood gas test that determined I have alkolosis (alkalosis).  I still have fatigue, lethargy, wheezing when falling asleep, severe dry eyes (I have to put drops in during the night), headaches every day when I wake up, hives, allergies, and frequent skin irritations (cysts, skin tags, eczema, and three cases of shingles last year).  When I get a flu shot, I immediately get a chronic cough, especially at night, that lasts for 6 to 8 weeks so I don't get them anymore.  All these conditions are greatly affecting my quality of life.

I read recently that low-level exposure to carbon tetrachloride over a long period of time can cause serious health problems.  According to the EPA's list of symptoms associated with CT exposure, I have had every single symptom with the exception of cancer (although I did have two benign tumors removed from the end of my finger).  Do you think my current health problems were caused by my CT exposure years ago?  And can anything be done to alleviate any of my health conditions now?  The doctors I have gone to generally throw up their hands and tell me they've never seen anything like it.  I don't live near a big city so I can't go to a toxicologist and, from what I've read, they may not be able to help me anyway.  Are there any other specialists I could see or any other testing options to confirm chemical exposure to CT as the cause?  Any insight you can give me would be greatly appreciated!!!  Thanks so much.

[caregiver222]

A biopsy of tissue is one way of assessing exposure.

You certainly have the symptoms.

I think the most important question is whether you can repair the damage. The answer is "possibly".  Singapore is currently the best place in the world (just a personal opinion) for stem cell treatment, and I know they are discussing clinical trials to repair damaged livers.