I have been feeling a bit frustrated with my apartment lately. Am I being ungrateful for the roof over my head? I don't know about that but I am really worried about my children, especially Ronan. The neighbors below us smoke and it comes into our apartment. The bathrooms and laundry rooms are the worst by far but it still gets into the rest of the apartment, our clothes, our towels, etc... It's so gross to get out of the shower and put your face into a smokey towel. Yuck!
My day was spent on the phone with our local county health department, the EPA, and the local chapter of The American Lung Association. I talked with some really great people but unfortunately there is nothing in the nations clean air act that protects someone in my situation. It doesn't even protect someone who has purchased an apartment, condo, or townhouse. Is there something wrong with this picture or am I just being "insensitive" to the rights of the smoker? I went so far as to call some other apartment complexes to see if they had any non-smoking buildings and one gal told me that according to some right to housing act, they are not allowed to ask if someone smokes or not because it would be discrimination. I was totally appalled to say the least. Why is it that more and more, the laws protect those who would directly or indirectly cause harm to another person? Darn liberals!
So here we are, stuck in the one year lease from Hell. It is truly awful and I'm so afraid for the health of my family. I'm totally allergic to cigarette smoke but I'm a big girl and I can take it but what about my babies? It just isn't fair. Well, I'm not going to stop or give up on this one because it just isn't right. I will be calling my local elected officials tomorrow to see if we can get the ball rolling a little faster on legislation for people in my situation. Fortunately, I have already made some allies with a gal at the health department and a man from the EPA. Anyway, I'm at a loss. Has anyone been in this situation before? What did you do? I'm thinking of purchasing a couple of those portable in home air purifiers/filters. Any suggestions on a good brand?
p.s. Who else is old like me and remembers this poster from grade school?
p.s. Who else is old like me and remembers this poster from grade school?
7 comments:
That stinks...literally & figuratively! I'm so sorry! I wish I had some great advice or help for you...and I'm old & totally remember that poster!
That totally sticks. I am so sorry!
I totally know where you're coming from and I feel for ya! We had neighbors behind us that smoked in our apartment(not just tobacco) and we could smell it sooooooo badly especially in Nat's bathroom. We would just close the door and not use it. Luckily those people moved and it improved 100%. Maybe you'll get lucky and that'll happen for you guys too!!
Man.. that way sucks Jen! I feel for you completely too because we were in the very same situation. In our apartment, the people down stairs smoked inside. The smoke would come through in the kids bathroom, the laundry room and in my daughters bedroom! It was terrible. There wasn't anything that I was able to do about it, so we had to buy an ionic breeze. I thought that it did SUCH a good job. They aren't cheap, but it was worth every cent. There was a difference nearly instantly.
Best of luck!
Oh, Jen! I feel for you. I have never been in that situation but man if I were, I would be doing the exact same thing you are. I think something has to be done about that. It's totally ridiculous in my opinion. Seriously, good luck. I do think the air purifier is worth a try and hopefully will help :)
I don't blame you one bit for being upset...when we lived in our apartment we had the same problem, but they were our neighbors, and you can't move when you have a lease. They would stand outside and talk and smoke all day and night. I was dieing. Whats bad is our neighbors now,in a house smoke and it still comes into our house. They smoke outside our yard. My kids are dieing if we have the windows and door open, oldest is allergic. Its one of those situations that we really can't get around. When we lived in the apartment we asked them not to smoke around our place. I think its a good idea to get one of those filters that will fight smoke, but other than that, its the luck of the draw when you have neighbors who smoke or don't. Good luck with your quest!! Wish I had better advise for you.
I'm sorry to hear this! What a bad break! I unfortunately don't have good advice for you either but I empathize for you! I find it admirable that you are at least being proactive about it and trying to fix the situation.
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