Mr Marsh (75) says he spent about 19 years working at the Formica factory in Auckland, where he handled such commonly-used solvents as toluene and xylene on an almost daily basis.
"We never ever put ... gloves on. It just wasn't done in our day ... Why, we even just used to wash our hands in industrial strength methylated spirits," he says.
Mr Marsh said he believed he had developed blood-flow and circulation problems to his fingers and toes from using the solvents - a claim which appears to be backed by recent research.
University of Otago researchers in Wellington released the findings of their study of 341 medical laboratory workers, which links the use of solvents toluene and xylene to an increased likelihood of developing a circulatory condition known as Raynaud's phenomenon.
The condition is usually triggered by cold or emotional stress and causes blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow to the fingers, toes, ears, and nose - in extreme cases it can progress to necrosis, or gangrene of the fingertips, a United Kingdom medical website says.
The study, led by researcher Gordon Purdie, also found 75% of the medical laboratory workers were handling the two solvents without wearing gloves.
The study had raised concerns about serious health complications which could be faced later in life by workers exposed to the solvents, Mr Purdie said.
Mr Marsh moved to Mosgiel about 13 years ago to be with family, after he took early retirement from his factory job in Papakura when he sustained an injury to his knee.
"Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed all my years working there," Mr Purdie says of the Formica factory, where thousands of New Zealanders worked during its 48-year history.
The Papakura plant was shut down in 2007 by owner Fletcher Building, which moved production to Shanghai.
Mr Marsh said his work involved daily cleaning of machinery and de-greasing printing plates for marking formica boards, using the solvents toluene and xylene.
"I've always had pins and needles but never really thought anything of it. My toes are the worst of the lot," he said.
He remembered one instance when a "bloke from a lab" happened upon him using toluene to de-grease a printing plate and questioned him about his lack of safety gear.
"He wanted to know where my gloves and mask were. I told him we didn't use them and he took the spray bottle off me."
An in-house inquiry after the incident led to a change in the use of safety equipment, but many workers "never bothered" - practices which have led Mr Marsh to speculate about some of his co-workers subsequent health issues.
About 15 co-workers have died from cancer and eight have committed suicide, Mr Marsh said.
He makes regular visits to his doctor for circulation checks and insists he is healthy but for the constant and tingling "pain" in his extremities..
Mr Marsh said he thinks the findings of Mr Purdie are "right on the button".
