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A Heartfelt Warning
Jun 25th, 2009 | By admin | Category: Industry News

Florida Veteran Urges Installers to Take Care Before It’s Too Late

On the jobsite, a film installer progresses from one pane to another, installing a protective layer designed to block the sun’s harmful rays. In this way, he surfs along the edge of extreme danger, often without even recognizing it.

Herschel Johnson is a veteran of the window film industry. Now 56 years of age, he spent thirty years in the Southeast performing automotive, residential and commercial installations. One could argue that he has had one of the best “offices” the world has to offer. Johnson worked for four years installing window film in condos up and down the Atlantic coast of Florida, enjoying some of the best views from New Smyrna to Velona Beach. He also worked in the Caribbean. But while Johnson spent anywhere from eight to 12 hours a day installing a product designed to protect the interiors and inhabitants of these premier properties, he failed to protect the most precious of all—himself.

In October of 2006, Johnson had a two- by 12-inch area of his back removed that was an inch in depth. New York University hospital diagnosed him with Melanoma, otherwise known as skin cancer.

“Guys that have been hanging [film] for years typically think about repetition injuries, like shoulders and carpal tunnel,” explains Tim Foley, Johnson’s nephew. “Working eight to ten hours a day, [hanging film] overhead lends to a big upper body workout.”

Foley says his uncle’s condition is now terminal. When Johnson worked up and down the Florida coast, installing film in unprotected spaces, he failed to wear sunscreen.

Johnson worked some of the most prestigious projects the window film world has to offer. One of his first big jobs included the Florida state senate building in 1997. In 2002 he began installing bomb blast protection for CHB Industries in Smithtown, N.Y. Among the projects he handled for CHB were: the Reagan Office Building in D.C., the New York Stock Exchange building, Bear Stearns, AIG, Deutsche Bank, Morgan Stanley, the Holocaust Museum, the Native American Museum, Watergate and the Clinton Office Building in Harlem, N.Y. to name a few. He also worked on the White House Executive Office Building and the Federal Courthouse in Arlington, Va. In late 2008, Johnson opened his own shop, The Film Crew in Palatka, Fla. But shortly thereafter, he began exhibiting odd behavior, such as dropping things on the job, frequent headaches and even seizures. In April 2009, cancer reappeared in Johnson’s body, this time in the form of metastatic brain cancer. An MRI revealed numerous small lesions, scattered throughout his brain.

As Johnson faces this terminal situation, he has a message for his fellow window film installers.

“He said he wants to make installers aware,” Foley says. “His message is, ‘Throw on some sunscreen, dumbass.’” And Johnson follows this advice with the following: “Everyone thinks it won’t happen to them.”

Johnson currently lives in Lake Como, Fla., with his wife of five years, Flor Aponte, and her daughter, whom he adopted, Natalia Aponte. Our thoughts go out to this window film veteran and his family.

excellent advice there. it's not something i ever really think of. i just try and get the film up as quickly as possible if it's a hot sunny day.

Sunscreen use actually causes cancer, it doesn't prevent it, says exhaustive scientific research

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Sunscreen warning has it all wrong: people need more sunlight on their skin, not less

well shizz td, that's kind of scary.

You cant get away from cancer in north america. Pollution , chemicals in foods , water , etc .Hell you guys say the fabric softener gives cancer. . Toxic chemicals are every where. That the 21st century and it will only get worst.

I am always prepared.

Now I'm torn,


http://skincancer.org/no-more-excuses.html

Well, I know that if I had owned a "cancer foundation" for 30 years, the last thing I would want is for people to stop getting cancer.

My heart goes out to him and his family. I do not know all the science behind sunscreen, but what he is saying is sensible. Many installers are exposed to direct sun for many hours everyday and they should think about protection. Saying a prayer for a miracle for him right after this post.

You don't see to many tan people in the UK???LOL??? Why???

While I don't say you shouldn't take steps to protect yourself..... I was DX'ed with melanoma last may.. so just over a year now. Stage 1b... as far as they can tell. (Did not have a SNB)

I've done a ton of reading over the past year. I've often wondered if the fact that I've been working on windows for the past bunch of years had any part in my melanoma.

The plain facts are that they can not say 100% what causes it. If it were strictly UV, everyone would have it. They said it's due to damage done when a youth... if that's the case, then what you do now has no bearing on if you will ever have melanoma or not. They also say if you have a ton of moles, you're more prone to getting it. Well... I have a ton. To me, that is more of a reason then UV exposure. I've read people who have children under 10 that have melanoma... or melanoma that developes when there is no sun exposure. (feet, back of legs, arm pit, etc)

I've had two cancer docs and my derm tell me that if it is going to come back, it won't be due to further sun exposure.

I've also read many studies like those linked to above about sunscreen. It's crazy what are in products that are ment to protect us.

I'm in NJ.. my sister died of cancer.. my best friend has cancer.. I had the melanoma... If anything, the fact that we are in NJ, IMO, plays more a part of this then anything else.


But I do agree that people need to be more aware. If for no other reason, when found and treated early, it has a good outcome.


Props Film-R.

What about window films that advertise a SPF? Should they?

I don't think they should... I don't think sunscreens should either, but for different reasons. Sunscreens - too many variables.. are you going in water.. how much did you apply, etc.

Anyway.. I found this:

http://www.solargard.com/Assets/PDFs/In_Ne...Digest_0409.pdf

And they throw out the number - SPF 285. I don't know if that was in jest or what...

I usually try and time the installs so I'm not working in direct sun, but MI has a rather mild climate compared to some

sunscreen is at the top of my list now. its getting pretty hot here in the midwest!

You can't put a SPF factor on window film. SPF is a measurement of UVB and length of time it takes to burn. Glass blocks out pretty much all of the UVB. The UVA is what the films absorb and that part of the spectrum is not figured in determining SPF. It's junk marketing by MFG's.

Wow I wish him the best, and am appreciative that he at least attempted to reach out to the rest of us. Idk much about sunscreen either, but am happy to have it brought to attention. Never looked at flatglass having any long term affects on my health. I will look into taking precautions.

Dude...I ALWAY'S learn something when I read Your post's....cool!

Like everyone else here I'm not a Dermatologist. But I know some common sense ideas to follow.

Like they say: Be aware of any changes in moles or other skin conditions, and don't wait to see a doctor if there are changes. I know people who paid heavily for not following this advice.

It's true that many people have low Vitamin D levels, and that some conditions like Prostate Cancer are linked to lower sunlight exposure. Having said that, if you're living in a place like Florida you are likely already getting lots more sun exposure than you need to maintain good Vit D levels - and ought to take precautions with sunscreen.

Do I practice what I preach: Well, I like to go to the Beach and tan, and don't immediately put lotion on, but I don't wait that long either. And I haven't been to a Dermatologist in a couple of years for a checkup and my wife is nagging me to go, and I know she is right. I'll make that call. I also do take Vitamin D pills.

And I'm wishing the best to the guy suffering with skin cancer now.

Thank you so much for putting this post up, Herschel is my uncle and is the one responsible for making me the installer I am today, as well as making me the man I am today. He was, is and always will be a major influence on my life and is someone I look up to and respect.

i have also read sunscreen promtes skin cancer. the chemicals used sunscreen like aluminum and dyes and fragrances turn to carcinigens on your skin. take a whole chicken and rub butter on it then cook on 450 deg. thats the reaction you get to your skin. i generally dont work directly in the sun cuz film gets to stuck and fingers or champagne occur. i stopped using baby shampoo cuz it contains SLS and yellow#5 plus other harmful chem. you breathe in. i use a soap called "DISHMATE",grapefruit flavored, its all natural and works really well. . well wishes Herschel & family

Herschel lost the fight and passed away last night, I was told he went peacefully. I just wanted to take a moment and thank all of you have who offered your best wishes and prayers. It is most appreciated and something I will always remember. Thank you.

Im sorry to hear that. He will be missed

Im sorry to hear about your loss. There is not much one can say to make the hurt go away at a time like this. I did not know him but I know the pain his family feels and they are the ones who need their friends strength to help them through this. God Bless

Your Uncle is in our prayers.

My condolences.


-R

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. We did a southern style farewell saturday, a family and friends cookout with plenty of food, drinks and laughs. Thats what he wanted and we were more than happy to oblige.