[s-cars] Toluene - safety warning.

[Taka Mizutani]

Eric-
Thank you for the information- just one thing, though- with brake cleaner,
there really aren't any chlorinated brake cleaners in use any longer- I can
get the exact composition when I get home tonight.

Nasty stuff for certain, but I don't think it's anything other than the very
common
stuff you see in other solvents- naptha, toluene, xylene. Inhaled, these
compounds
are not good for the nervous system, no?

Taka

On 12/12/06, Eric Phillips <gcmschemist at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Latex is fine for motor oil.  I use neoprene there, too, but only
> because I tend to need more protection up my wrists and arms.
>
> You're fine on the brake cleaner - if there's any task that I'd choose
> for an organic vapor mask, that's the one.  Those chlorinated
> solvents, all sprayed around like that, tend to go right into my
> lungs.
>
> Xylenes (dimethylbenzenes) are the least carcinogenic of the
> aliphatic-substituted benzenes.  I'd use the same precautions used for
> toluene.
>
> Eric
>
> On 12/11/06, Theodore Chen <tedebearp at yahoo.com> wrote:
> > eric, do latex gloves provide sufficient protection when handling
> > used motor oil during oil changes?  i don't soak my gloved hands in the
> > oil, but i do get some on the gloves when removing the oil drain plug.
> >
> > i rarely use brake cleaner.  i always use it outside if i have to use
> > it, and i leave the area immediately after using it to let the vapors
> > dissipate before i come back.  think that's safe enough?
> >
> > another chemical to be wary of is tar and bug remover, which contains
> > xylene.
> >
> > i switched to using simple green, so i can't remember the last time
> > i used brake cleaner or other organic solvent.
> >
> > -teddy
> >
> > --- Eric Phillips <gcmschemist at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > I'll pipe up as a chemist working in the field analyzing such things
> > > as environmental contaminants.
> > >
> > > The proper saftey precaustions are not as severe as Taka would lead
> > > you to believe.  Headgear?  Protective clothing?  No.
> > >
> > > Keep it off your skin - wear neoprene (like kitchen) gloves.  Not
> > > latex - it'll go through those.  Don't spill it on yourself, but if
> > > you do, don't panic.  Just wash it off with lots of soap and water.  A
> > > respirator is not necessary unless you plan on being in vapor contact
> > > with the stuff for a prolonged period.  Open the can outside, pour it
> > > in your tank outside (not in the closed garage), and if you leave the
> > > can open, leave it outside!.  Or close the can.
> > >
> > > The contact you have had over time from the benzene in gasoline and
> > > the polyaromatic hydrocarbons in used motor oil are a MUCH greater
> > > risk.  You do wear gloves when handling used motor oil, right?
> > >
> > > Have you used a bunch of chlorinated solvents anywhere (brake
> > > cleaners, etc?)  Those are terrible for your liver, in comparison to
> > > toluene.  As a carcinogen, toluene, while being one, has much larger
> > > exposure limits than benzene or polyaromatic hydrocarbons.
> > >
> > > If it makes you feel better, where eye protection and an organic vapor
> > > mask with FRESH cartridges.  I wouldn't, but I would wear gloves, and
> > > do my pouring outside, where the vapors won't go into my lungs.
> > >
> > > eric
> > >
> > > > Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 19:43:27 -0500
> > > > From: "John Cody Forbes" <cody at 5000tq.com>
> > > > Subject: Re: [s-cars] Octane MTM+1
> > > >
> > > > I didn't take his reply as lightly as you. My mother died from
> sunlight
> > > > exposure 5 years ago. Melanoma to be exact.
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > > > Taka Mizutani wrote:
> > > > > Thanks Mike,
> > > > > Just trivialize something that is a safety hazard- toluene, like
> > > > > gasoline, is
> > > > > dangerous stuff. Organic solvents are bad news for the body.
> > > > >
> > > > > And no, I don't think it's funny at all. And no, I'm not going to
> > > > > lighten up because
> > > > > you think it's funny to make light of a serious warning.
> > > > >
> > > > > If it's such a harmless thing, why don't you drink it and report
> back
> > > > > to us how you're
> > > > > doing?
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > Taka
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > > > On 12/11/06, mike at urq20v.com <mike at urq20v.com> wrote:
> > > > >>
> > > > >>
> > > > >> So is gasoline, used motor oil, brake dust and sunlight.
> > > > >> So are cigarettes, so don't smoke when you are pouring it. :)~
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Mike Sylvester
> > > > >>
> > > > >> -------- Original Message --------
> > > > >> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Octane MTM+1
> > > > >> From: "Taka Mizutani" <t44tqtro at gmail.com>
> > > > >> Date: Mon, December 11, 2006 3:42 pm
> > > > >> To: "Marc Gorelick" <marc at frogville.net>
> > > > >> Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com
> > > > >>
> > > > >> Please be careful with toluene- that's not something you want to
> > > > >> handle casually (it's a carcinogen for one thing- use a
> respirator
> > > > >> and protective clothing/headgear/etc.) ...
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