[s-cars] Toluene - safety warning.

[Eric Phillips]

CRC Brakleen has 1,1,1-trichloroethylene in it - I just used some the
other month.

No, none of these guys is really great for the nervous system, but
some of them have more effects on other organs.  Aromatics hit the
kidneys and liver hard.  Chlorinated stuff hits the liver and nervous
system hard.

Organic solvents just aren't all that good for you.  You should avoid
them when possible, but if you do use them (for whatever reason),
using them in a well-ventilated area is the best bet.

Taking additional precautions (over and above the common-sense ones I
have listed) should be reserved for when you plan on being in
prolonged contact with the vapors.  Like using autobody paint, for
example.

Or if you're prone to spilling.

E.P.

On 12/12/06, Taka Mizutani <t44tqtro at gmail.com> wrote:
> 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.) ...