CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Oxygen masks and inhalers are now a part of Antonio Steele's daily life in Charlotte.
The 40-year-old said he's worked as a professional painter most of his adult life and maintains until recently he's never had any health problems.
In fact, he said he received a clean bill of health when he was tested just months before starting a new painting job at Aramark Healthcare Technologies in north Charlotte.
Steele showed Whistleblower 9's Paul Boyd a test he said is the national standard painters take before starting a new job. Steele said he "passed with flying colors."
His new job involved painting medical equipment.
However, Steele said six months into the job, he started to get migraines at night and chest tightness. He said his voice became strained and he developed respiratory problems.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the paint his company provided contained a chemical called isocyanates.
OSHA said "isocyanates include compounds classified as potential human carcinogens" that are "known to cause cancer in animals."
"They were just giving me something that was very toxic, very dangerous and not letting me know what it was," Steele said.
The paint manufacturer -- Sherwin-Williams -- told Whistleblower 9 it’s "products contain labels spelling out safety guidance."
Steele said his employer, Aramark Healthcare Technologies, did not provide him with that "safety guidance" for the paint.
Sherwin-Williams warns that "a positive pressure air supplied respirator should be worn" when using that specific paint.
"If you don't know that these isocyanates are in this paint how can you protect yourself? You can't," Steele said.
OSHA launched a formal investigation into Aramark Healthcare Technologies and issued six citations against the company.
Investigators determined that Aramark "did not identify ... respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace..." and "did not select a respirator for employee use based on the respiratory hazards."
"It makes me mad sometimes and more so depressed because I don't know my life expectancy now. It could kill me. Hopefully, it won't turn into cancer," Steele said.
Aramark Healthcare Technologies paid $4,800 in fines to OSHA. A spokesperson told Whistleblower 9. "Nothing is more important to us than the safety of our employees, clients and customers ... OSHA determined the issues reported at our facility in Charlotte last year were 'non-serious' and the location has maintained a full compliance rating ever since. We are unable to comment about the specific person involved in this case due to pending litigation."
Steele said he's suing his former employer because his life will never be the same. He said he can't play with his son outside anymore without wearing a mask, and he hopes sharing his story will help prevent other painters from getting sick, too.
"I know I can never be 100 percent again. They’ve already told me that. But I also want to shed light on these isocyanates. This is a dangerous chemical and hopefully I can help somebody else."
Steele said a mediation hearing was scheduled with his former employer on Thursday in an effort to avoid a trial. There is no word yet on an outcome from that meeting.