dangerous chemicals

[Grant Tokumi]

Anybody know any background behind some of these chemicals or products we use in this hobby? Or looking for some precautionary measures that might be wise when handling these chemicals. Here are some examples:

ACETONE AND DENATURED ALCOHAL - I've read to use acetone for removing tires. I've used it sucessfully, however, my hands usually get soaked in acetone when removing the tires. Same with denatured alcohal. When cleaning my truck, sometimes denatured alcohal gets on my skin. I'm wondering if gloves are supposed to be used when handling acetone. Will acetone soak through skin and eventually make my hands fall off?

SHOE GOO - Good for repairing bodies. On one of the labels of the Shoe Goo tube, it read something about causing cancer in laboratory rats. And even somthing about might be linked to miscarriages and still borns in pregnant women. Yikes! Is that from just ingestion, or is it also inhaling, or even skin contact?

TRINITY DOUBLE STAGE FOAM GLUE - Same as Shoe Goo, bit I think it said something like "might cause cancer in Califonia". Is that from ingesting, or also from inhaling, or skin contact?

NITRO FUMES - I race gas at an indoor track. That place sure gets smoky. I'm sure all those fumes can't be too healthy, what's the dangers? Will give me cancer? Make my hair fall out.

Others: CA, MOTOR CLEANER,

I used to not worry so much, thinking small amounts won't hurt, but seeing little kids in the nitro fume filled rooms, and hands soaking in acetone started to make me worry just a little bit.

[Tiggs1]

Most of the stuff you said is only bad in large amounts EXCEPT ACETONE!! I would not reccomend ACETONE be used for ANYTHING! Acetone used to be used a lot by women to remove nail polish. Because it was found to be so harmful, they don't use it much anymore if at all. We did a test in college where we put a drop of acetone in a large container full of fruitflies. Every one of the flies was dead within a minute. I stay a way from the stuff.

btw: Acetone CAN be introduced through you skin. If you have to use it, make sure to wear gloves and a breathing filter.

Here is a link on what Acetone can do: http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/a0446.htm

Also, if I remember correctly, Acetone eats away rubber and plastics.

[ 04-16-2001: Message edited by: Tiggs1 ]

[gacjr0]

It's all bad for you. Traction compound too. Don't get any of those on you, don't sniff them, use in ventilated areas, wear gloves and glasses (one team driver at the onroad nats superglued his eye-went to the hospital-it sucked to be him). Watch out while soldering too. That which does not kill you only prolongs the inevitable!

[Grant Tokumi]

Thanks for the insights Tigg. No wonder my skin is peeling. I thought it was just the dry weather. :)

Wow, potent stuff. I'm at home now, so I can quote the labels.

Shoe Goo - "Contains toluene and petroleum distillate....". What's that??
"Warning: This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm".

Team Kinwald "The Bomb MultiStage Tire Liner Glue" -
"Warning: This product contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm."

[Tiggs1]

Toluene just as bad if not worse then Acetone. Here's the ditty on that:
http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/t3913.htm

[R/C Homie]

ya i dont really stay away from these but i'v been using these things like thinner denatured alchol and some other stuff just be carful and know what ur doin with the crap thats all ;)

[prime]

I read the list of adversities that acetone causes and skin exposure doesn't appear to include absorption into the blood stream. That would be my major concern. It does, however, appear to attack the dermis at the fatty-acid level leaving skin dry and cracked. The best approach would be to not handle acetone at all. Use tools or thick rubber gloves.

I have used it quite a bit for removing tires that were glued to wheels using CA. It works very well for this without damaging the tire or the wheel. This is only if you use pure acetone and not the kind used for nail care. If you use the kind for nail care, you'll screw your tires up (they actually shrink). :p

[Tiggs1]

Anything that can get into my fatty acid is considered being absorbed ;) ....at least by me.

Shrinkage is not good :eek:

[ 04-17-2001: Message edited by: Tiggs1 ]

[gubbs3]

Most of the time, if it stinks- its bad.

[Grant Tokumi]

Does that mean my fart is bad for my health? :)

[violator757]

i think a "FART" is a burb that comes out the wrong end hehe

just my $0.02 lol :D :p :p ;)


p.s. i dont think they are bad unless you have to leave the room :D

[Mark JW]

Most of the compounds you describe (toluene, acetone etc.) are fairly common solvents. They are found in many paints, adhesives, cleaning compounds, etc.

Your best bet is to buy a box of disposable powdered gloves from your local pharmacy (avoid latex, these can cause another form of allergy :eek: ) and use the chemicals in a well!! ventilated area. although the amounts that you will be exposed to in a hobby setting are fairly trivial there is no sense in needless exposure.

What we realy need is more environmentally friendly products that can be used.