[s-cars] Toluene - safety warning.

[Harold McComas]

So while we are getting educated.... tell me about Nitrile gloves, when to 
use and not to use. I just got a box of them from my dad. Been using them on 
oil changes or when my hands might get greasy.
Last time I bought a can of brake cleaner, I bought the CRC non-chlorinated 
cleaner in the Green can, just letting you know there are two types. That 
stuff has : methanol, toluene, acetone, heptane and xylene. MSDS for it : 
http://www.crcindustries.com/faxdocs/msds/5084.pdf

Harold
> From: "Eric Phillips" <gcmschemist at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [s-cars] Toluene - safety warning.
> To: "Taka Mizutani" <t44tqtro at gmail.com>
> Cc: s-car-list at audifans.com
> Message-ID:
> <718a440c0612121120y557621efhcb0c87afe978cba6 at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> 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
>> > > >