What contaminant is affecting my co-worker an me?

Factual Questions
1

I work in a small office (tech start-up) in Paris with about 12 other people. Today, one of my co-workers mentioned that he had been experiencing a lingering metallic taste and was wondering what might have caused it. I later noticed the same sensation which has persisted for about 12 hours now. I also recall experiencing it yesterday now that I think about it. I have no other symptoms as of yet.

Other pertinent information:

  • our building has been undergoing a long restoration of the outer facade, there are construction workers present every day
  • many of us go-to the same bakery for snacks/lunch
  • we use a Nexpresso coffee machine

Any guesses as to what the most likely cause of this problem is?

2

Is your coffeemaker hooked up to a water line, or do you pour bottled water into it, or … some other option? Do you drink water while you’re working, and if so, is it from a tap or faucet, or do you bring in bottled water or … some other option?

Cuz my WAG is the construction work is affecting the water lines somehow.

3

purplehorseshoe: thanks for your idea! We pour tap water into the coffee maker but here are the problems with your theory:

  • the construction, although intense, appears to only relate to the buildings facade
  • I think lots od employees use the machine but only two of us have this persistent metallic sensation
4

Have you eaten anything with pine nuts lately?
Inferior pine nuts seem to have an astringent aftertase that can last for some time, even days.

5

Doesn’t arsenic leave a metal aftertaste? Or maybe it’s thallium? Is one of your co-workers a poisoner:confused:

6

Maybe they’re being fed contaminated fish, which would make the hypothetical coworker a poissonier. They ARE in Paris, after all…

7

Radiation?

8

Of course it’s arsenic, Andrea_Green. Likely from copper(II) acetoarsenite. a toxic emerald-green crystalline powder used as a rodenticide and insecticide. Its common name is Paris Green. Andrea_Green, Paris Green, Paris, France. It all fits.

9

Have you smelled bitter almonds lately?

10

Maybe you both take the same medication. Some meds cause this.

11

That’s why I had the chicken.

12

I had the lasagna.

13

^^^This

14

Rust water pipes, likely.

But go to your MD.