As most of my friends and family members know, I experienced an accidental chemical exposure in a public restroom almost 3 years ago on October 2nd, 2022. On that date, I was exposed to a toxic industrial cleaner named NABC Concentrate made by Spartan Chemical Company, Inc. I used the tissue paper provided in this very dark and cramped restroom stall. The roll of paper was installed inside a holder in the stall so nothing seemed out of the ordinary. But once I opened the stall door, I had better lighting. Only then could I see that the roll of paper was not white. Everything was far from ordinary. The paper was bluish green in color and it was "crinkled" as if it had once been wet. In that moment, my health changed instantaneously. From first hand experience, I learned that this toxic cleaner is hazardous to human health. It is also fatal to aquatic life. The primary ingredient is "alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride". This inorganic chemical is one of several quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC's) that serve as a disinfectant in this product. The molecular formula of ammonium chloride is NH4Cl. Scientific research shows that QAC's damage the oligodendrocyte cells in the human brain causing loss of myelin sheath production and disrupting nerve function. This toxic cleaner is also registered with the EPA as a pesticide (EPA Registration Number: 5741-20). According to scientific research, if a pesticide enters the human body, the endocrine system (thyroid) is commonly disrupted. As a result of my chemical exposure, I have experienced many adverse health problems including both a disruption of my nervous system and my endocrine system. Some adverse health problems occurred immediately as soon as the toxic cleaner entered my bloodstream. I first experienced a Chemical Burn that lasted for two weeks and Tinnitus which is ongoing. Next, I experienced a Disrupted Thyroid that developed within two weeks of the exposure and presented as Hypothyroidism accompanied by significant daily heart palpitations (PVC's, also referred to as an abnormal heart rhythm). This condition lasted for four months until my thyroid corrected itself. Next, I experienced Toxic Neuropathy (Delayed Polyneuropathy) which came on suddenly on February 4th, 2023 like the strike of a match. This condition presented as "pins and needles" and nerve pain in my peripheral nervous system. It is mostly concentrated in my lower legs and feet and is somewhat improved but ongoing. This summer, I experienced a return of the Disrupted Thyroid condition in June of 2025. This time the condition presented as Hyperthyroidism accompanied by daily heart palpitations. This condition is not yet resolved after four months and is ongoing. Unfortunately, when this accident occurred in my life almost three years ago, I had just started a new job as a "temp to perm" staff member at Harvard University. When I began my new position, I was working without any benefits for the first three months. During this time, I was responsible for paying the cost of my health care "out of pocket". So, the timing of my accident was also challenging from a financial standpoint. In addition to paying for medical appointments on my own, I also incurred several large expenses for tests and testing equipment such a Thyroid Ultrasound in October of 2022 and a "ZIO Heart Monitor" I purchased from iRhythm Technologies in November of 2022. At the time, a friend of mine recommended I should file a personal injury claim against the cleaning company that is at the heart of the matter. This is a multimillion dollar company named TLC Janitorial and they are based in Wrentham, MA. Although many safe non-toxic cleaning products are available today, this cleaning company chooses to use the cheapest product which is easiest and quickest to work with. They seem to have no concern for the potential damage it causes to human health and the environment through exposure. NABC Concentrate is also called "Clean On the Go Concentrate". This product is considered an easy option for commercial cleaning since it's used to clean a wide variety of surfaces. My friend connected me with an attorney who is her family member and he specializes in personal injury law. We had high hopes that I would be able to proceed with filing the claim in an effort to secure a financial settlement and reconcile my lingering medical bills from the Fall of 2022. The attorney explained that he could not move forward until I could get a "causation statement" from a medical doctor stating that my adverse medical problems were "caused" by my chemical exposure. It took me almost three years to find a doctor who would agree to "get involved" by providing me with such a statement. This month, I finally received a "causation statement" from my new primary care physician. But, my attorney just let me know this is not enough. He has now asked for a second more detailed letter from my doctor which is very costly to obtain. Also, he explained I would need to pay him up front to file the claim on my behalf and would need to pay a constable up front to deliver a certified letter to TLC Janitorial. All in all, the clock is running out now since personal injury claims in Massachusetts must be filed within three years of the date of the injury. This week on October 2nd, 2025, I will reach my three year milestone since the accident. Additionally, the attorney said that even if I provide him with the more detailed doctor's letter and even if I give him funds to file the claim and give the constable funds to deliver a certified letter, he wouldn't recommend that I go forward with filing a claim. He just told me that he believes the case isn't "strong enough" after all and the defense would be able to "poke holes" everywhere in the evidence. So, I've decided to let the clock run out this week and I will not be filing a personal injury claim. Instead, I've decided to devote my time and energy to doing 3 things which will help me reconcile my remaining medical bills from the Fall of 2022 and help me begin a new positive journey focused on wellness and advocacy. 1.) I'm beginning a new wellness journey to address "systemic internal inflammation" brought on by my chemical exposure. This inflammation was revealed through early and ongoing blood tests. My new wellness journey includes an anti-inflammatory diet (including a "Kefir" smoothie for breakfast with spinach and berries), aqua therapy, low impact exercise, acupuncture, massage, foot soaks with Epsom salts, supplements like Vitamin D and more. 2.) I'm beginning a new advocacy journey by becoming an advocate for "green" non-toxic cleaning products and doing all I can to change the law. It needs to be against the law to use toxic cleaners in a public restroom. This is a public health issue and I need to work to change the law. This is important work I must do to help others who could potentially be harmed like me. 3.) I'm beginning a Go Fund Me account to try to raise enough funds to reconcile my remained medical bills from the Fall of 2022. My eternal thanks to all my friends and family who have offered me positive support and prayers throughout the past three years. I have felt heartbroken to lose my lifelong good health. But, because of all of you, I have not lost hope. My new primary care physician is Hubert L. Roberts, III, MD in Boston, MA. On the day he provided me with a "causation statement" last month, it wasn't enough for the attorney. But, it was enough for me to feel newly inspired. I always knew I wasn't imagining the many ways my health was harmed by my chemical exposure almost three years ago. I feel newly committed to doing everything in my own power to recover and get well. It's a very silent struggle since I look completely normal to the outside world. Everyday, I do all I can to act like my normal self and participate in my normal activities. But, I know in my heart that my health has been anything but normal since October 2nd, 2022. As I reach the three year milestone this week, I'll be focusing on the things that I can control, not on things that are out of my control. Thank you with all my heart for being beside me on my life journey. Your support means everything in the world to me. Please don't feel the need to participate in this fundraiser, especially if you don't have the resources to participate. You make such an important difference in my life just through offering me your love and support. Those are the greatest gifts all of us can share with each other. And, that is truly enough for me. All my love and gratitude, Ruthie