It’s been over 4 years since Brenda started getting sick. What caused her diagnosed disease of Pulmonary Fibrosis? The fibres off the burlap ribbon 
she was using to create beautiful handmade wreaths.
Now I have always known that working with Burlap or Hessian as it is called in other countries was actually a complete messy pain in the you know where. The fibres would get everywhere! I never for one moment thought about inhalation of those fibres. I mean crafting is safe right? Well except for the obvious deadly glue gun, but it is deemed safe.
Do you wear a safety mask
when working with Burlap? What about glitter? Spray paint? No, me neither.
Today I challenge you all to sit down in your craft area and take stock, read ALL the safety labels on your products and think about eye protection, lungs and skin. What changes do you need to make to your crafting area?
Do you know of a product that is often used without caution? Share it below.
You can see Brendas original viral post here.
Carlisle, OH, United StatesHello Friends–Need your help — I am looking for an agency where I can voice a complaint against a company that sells a product that is slowly killing me…It is a burlap ribbon sold only at Walmart. There is no warning that this can be hazardous to your health or that a mask should be worn while working with this burlap.
In the eight months that I used this, I have had major health issues. My CT Scans show I have Pulmonary Fibrosis (scaring of the lungs) from inhaling the fibers from this burlap. No cure, get worse with time, life expectancy is three to five years. I am beyond help, but if I could get the word out, or somehow force Walmart to at least post a sign that a mask must be worn when working with this burlap..maybe it could save someone else from this horrible health issue.
By the Grace of God I am still alive…but this has totally changed my life..On oxygen 24 / 7, homebound, can’t fight off germs, have had pneumonia three times in three months, lost my health, had to leave my home and home town that I love, to live with my daughter Sandy in Ohio so she can take care of me…Can’t do the things I love to do and medical bills just keep on coming, reaching $150,000….ALL OF THIS BECAUSE OF NEGLECT IN A PRODUCT WARNING.
There has to be somewhere I can realease this anger that is building in me and save someone else from this….
Thank you for listening to me vent…Blessings to you all.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP AND CONCERN I HAVE FILED A Complaint with the CPSC. HOPE TO HEAR FROM THEM SOON.
You can read her whole story over at Thedeadlywreath.com
Thank you for this “eye-opening” article. I am very sad that this preventable condition has happened to you Brenda and please know that I will spread the word to all my fellow crafters and will keep you in my prayers. Sincerely, Marie
never in my dreams did I think of this…I posted it on my facebook and sent to my crafting buddy…thank you very much for this information
this is shocking burlap is sold all over the world I have some in my craft room in the UK just checked label no health warnings thanks for the information . I wish you well
I’ve never heard of this. I grew up in a town where jute processing was the main industry. Several of the women my family were weavers or spinners of jute fibre. My father and brothers also worked in the industry as I did, although I worked in the offices. I don’t recall anyone becoming ill from the jute. I think this must be a rare occurrence.
Wow – this is scary! The last time of made a burlap bag on my sewing machine I actually remarked at the amount of dust and fiber that was all over the machine! Obviously when working/crafting one knows there is always a dusty mess but never does one stop to think about the health risks! You mention glitter and spray paint – I think another thing is spray adhesive- although I am always cautious with it – my caution is more around the mess than my health! Very eye opening and something we should all think about! Thank you so much for sharing!
Oh my goodness Brenda I would never have dreamed that something like this could happen. I’m keeping you in my prayers. Thank you for sharing and opening our eyes to something most of us would never have thought of. God Bless You!!
FYI – if you need to wear a mask so do the pets in your home. these products are even tougher on our furbabies. if you work with media that requires a mask (i used spray adhesive and fiber reactive dyes) do this work outside wearing a mask if you have pets.
sweet almond oil helps to smooth lung tissue again , it also kills coronavirus and relieves the patients engaged with already .pour 30 drops of almond oil all over your tongue and swallow it little by little at the sleep time (when you are in bed) to sooth harsh coughs and get a nice sleep ! After 2-3 nights you’ll see the miracle !
My father had pulmonary fibrosis and it’s a horrible disease and one you don’t want your family to watch you suffer from. In daddy’s case he worked in a mill where they made auto upholstery and he worked in the dye plant. Inhaling the strong fumes for years is originally where his started. Plus for years he smoked, and refinished furniture with a very strong furniture stripper called Quik. This was in the 70’s and I don’t even know if this product is still made. He did work either outside or in a well ventilated area but I only remember seeing him wear a mask a few times. But pulmonary fibrosis can strike a number if people in different areas. It is common among bird breeders from breathing in the tiny feathers from new born birds which I never thought about. Also hairdressers can suffer from this after years of using string chemicals for perms and coloring. Thankfully, they seem to be using chemicals that are not so strong now. I learned a lot about this disease when my dad was sick. His doctor gladly educated mewe and my family about it because we’d never heard of it. If you’re in any kind of work like above or other job which uses strong chemicals or anything that will release tiny fibers or anything like that into the air I urge you to get to a pulmonary specialist and have them check your lungs. Hopefully with early detection you can slow down the disease or even better maybe you don’t have problems yet. And do wear a mask when working with these things.
I am so sorry you have this disease ma’am and I hope you have a wonderful doctor like daddy did. Good luck to you and I’ll pray for you.