Worried about gas leak at work

[BreeVDKamp]

... Ok well next door to work/in our adjoining wall.

For months I've had headaches and nausea - fair enough, I'm pregnant, but it's only when I'm at work! I can't remember if I felt the same before I got pregnant.

Over xmas the gas company had to break into the cafe where I work to access a pipe, because a lady who lives in the flats next door smelled gas. They've since done work to the pavement outside, I don't know if it's fixed or not yet (gas company equipment is still outside).

My boss doesn't feel unwell, neither of us have ever smelt gas and we don't have any gas appliances. But we don't have a gas alarm either!!!

I was here for 10 mins this morning before I started feeling unwell. Am standing by the door (the only ventilation, right at the front of the shop, the kitchen is in the back) to get some fresh air.

As the gas men have been in here, surely they would have checked the gas levels and told us if there was a problem?

Luckily I am only here 4 hours a day 3 days a week!

So basically - does my headache and nausea sound gas related and if so will my baby be OK?? Can gas inhalation cause blindness etc? I'm 22 weeks today! And paranoid ha

[BreeVDKamp]

Ah great, now my boss is saying that by the afternoons she always feels crappy too maybe it is the lights or lack of fresh air or something. Sitting by the door did help but now I must bake!

[redlolly]

Hi Bree, this sounds truly rubbish. A natural gas (the kind used in cookers) leak would not make you feel ill. You would be able to smell it. So I don't think it's that, but if you are worried, tell the gas co you can smell gas and they'll come and measure the amount in the air with a special machine.

I think you might be worrying about carbon monoxide poisoning, which can make you feel ill, and can kill people if they get too much exposure. This can only happen if there is a gas appliance in the room/ nearby that isn't working properly. We once had an oven that let out carbon monoxide when we used the grill in a rented house. If you are worried about that, I would recommend buying either a carbon monoxide alarm, which are about £20 (but well worth it; if work won't pay you could maybe buy one, take it in with you and take it home when you go on mat leave?), or a carbon monoxide visual indicator, which are little plastic cards with a spot that discolours if carbon monoxide is present. The indicators aren't as good as they won't alert you immediately, but they are cheaper if that is a consideration.

Hope you are feeling better soon x

[BreeVDKamp]

Thanks for your reply redlolly, that's reassuring. I am going to buy a carbon monoxide alarm for work this afternoon, I am probably being a crazy pregnant lady but it will reassure me :) thanks again!