The hazardous chemicals we use

[realworkingsailor]

This came up in a build log, where I commented on the use of a certain product, and the hazards associated with it. Another member commented that he had used it many times before without experiencing any problems.  It got me wondering how many people have actually bothered to find out all they could about some of the hazardous chemicals we expose ourselves to in the name of the hobby, and more importantly how to deal with the toxic effects of accidental ingestion, inhalation, or contact with skin.

 

The product in the aforementioned post was Squadron Putty. So I went looking for it's MSDS (That would be the "Material Safety Data Sheet"). I don't know about Europe or the rest of the world, but in North America, as part of workplace safety, every chemical has to have one of these sheets (even the fuel we put in our vehicles has one). These sheets list all the properties of a substance, its chemical make up, toxicological effects, protective measures and first aid.

 

Have a look: http://www.modelfixings.co.uk/msds/Squadron%20white%20putty%20msds.pdf

 

Just a thought that maybe we could help to educate ourselves, and provide a resource for other modelers in helping them with questions about these chemicals. Make a list of links to MSDS sheets that we find online, with the ultimate goal of compiling and consolidating it into a single page of links.

 

Andy

[realworkingsailor]

Everybody's Favourite:

 

Cyanoacrylate

 

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/msds/SG_L_TUBE_msds.pdf

[TBlack]

Thanks, Andy, for this. I knew nothing about MSDS; interesting reading. I loved the comment on the cyanoacrylate page that states, "almost impossible to swallow". I wonder who got to test for that!?

Tom

[BareHook]

How about lead content in the metal castings and or solder used.

[realworkingsailor]

My focus was intended to be on the liquids and gels that go by various trade names, but for which precious little information beyond "harmful or fatal if swallowed" or other similar simplified warning labels are applied. Everybody is aware of the toxic hazards of lead, however those effects are cumulative over a long period of time. I'm trying to help people become aware of, or be able to have a compiled reference of common modeling chemicals, their known toxic effects and, the really important bit, personal protection and first aid when handling these substances, or in the event of something untoward occurring.

 

Andy

[Modeler12]

This almost makes one give up this hobby.

If every housewife read the MSDS for the household products she has on the shelf, our laundry would not get done and our food would be very bland, while the carpeting and tile floors would be filthy.

 

I have always taken the standpoint that with diligent care and washing my hands after handling 'dangerous chemicals' I have a good chance to live to be a hundred (24 more years to go).

[normanh]

Try reading the information sheet given with prescription medicines for side effects - I take a couple one for blood pressure, the laugh is we take these to either control or cure a medical condition.

 

I have worked with chemicals for most of my working life and trained and qualified in chemistry, all substances should and are assessed in their intend application and must always be treated with respect and not abused.

 

Norman

[Modeler12]

Then there were the days when ceramic painting artists would lick the tip of their brush to get a finer point. Delft's Blue is made with a cobalt based paint and others used lead as well.

Although that is in the past, young people in the Asiatic countries are constantly exposed to these hazards without knowing about it.

Again, with a little insight and common cautions that should not be a problem for most of us. I gave up reading MSDS reports when I retired.

[realworkingsailor]

Whether or not you choose to read the given information is ultimately up to you. I'm sure there are people here who never before gave a second thought to all the glues, paints and other solvents.

 

 

Here's another one for you, Testors ELO paint remover:

http://www.testors.com/media/document/MS.F522142.050911.pdf

 

Another one off the Testors Website, Floquil Paint

http://www.testors.com/media/document/MS.F110181.050911.pdf

**Note that this is specific for each colour, in this case BNSF green. As each paint contains different pigment compounds, the MSDS will be slightly different for each.

 

 

This is for Polyscale Acrylics:

http://www.testors.com/media/document/MS.POLLYRR.062912.pdf

**the same disclaimer to the above also applies.

 

And finally, good old Dulcote:

http://www.testors.com/media/document/MS.F130015.050911.pdf

 

Testors has done a great job on their website by providing a pdf copy of the relevant MSDS linked below each product description.

 

I still mutter at them for discontinuing Floquil and Polyscale.....

 

Andy

[capnharv2]

Just keep me away from Xylene and MEK. . .

[S.Coleman]

I work in the mines in the northwest of Australia, here we are extremely safety conscious about everything! Even the toilet cleaner that the cleaners use to make our toilets clean has it's own MSDS and a JHA ( job hazard analisysts) has to be conducted before using. When I go on my break all of that safety jargon goes out the window and I never thought anything of it. Until I read this post. Now I will check my glues and adhesives when I get home. Safety and health is important at home as well as work! Thanks for bringing this up.

[Richard Griffith]

While these MSDS sheets are very technical and unintelligable to the non chemists, including me, they do provide key safety infomation.  As others have pointed out, treat all chemicals with respect and always avoid contact with your skin and inhallation. 

 

Whenever I use CA a lot, I turn on a small fan to blow the fumes away from my face.  All spraying in the shop is in a spray booth whose exit hose goes out the window.  Latex and nitrile gloves are used as needed.  Acid proof gloves are used whenever I use acids or strong lyes.  Be careful of what you wear on your feet should you spill acids.  I wear a face shield when needed, even though I wear corrective glasses.  These are some of the easy safety measues and they do not require time to use. 

 

Our eyes are extemely important, and so is our health.  Without these, most of us could not make model ships.       Duffer

[Jaxboat]

Andy,

Thank you for bringing this topic up on the blog. I am a Chemist by schooling and profession. Even the most hazardous chemicals can be used safely when you know how and employ the proper techniques and safety equipment. As you point out, that is where the MSDS comes in. It is supposed to list hazards and how to saferly overcome them.   We should all take the time to read the MSDS for the solvents, paints, fillers and glues we use and protect our health accordingly.

Best

Jaxboat

Edited November 2, 2013 by Jaxboat

[realworkingsailor]

Thanks guys, for your support in this endeavour. It's all in the name of safety, Not just for ourselves, but how many out there have small children in the house, or grandkids that come to visit from time to time? I'm sure we're all very careful with not leaving chemicals like these lying around, but kids can get into the strangest places when they want to.

 

Anyway, Someone brought up MEK, or Methyl-ethyl-ketone. A primary ingredient in many plastic cements.

http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927358

 

Slightly different for Tenax7R:

http://www.emedco.info/rtk/common/wcd00025/wcd02597.htm

 

I've having a little difficulty locating one for Ambroid ProWeld. If anyone happens upon it, post the link.

 

Andy

[Captain Al]

Good information all. Important to me as a newbie. Something that didn't cross my mind. I wonder, however, if the quantity and duration of the exposure is more of a factor that isn't often noted. I mean when these MSDS s are written, aren't they normally warning against prolonged use and breathing of the stuff? Would a half pint can of turp and stain give off the same fumes as an open gallon container of something? And how long does it take for the adverse reaction to various things take to manifest themselves? Move into a home with asbestos, you don't get cancer the next day. Breath in some fumes today, how long until it becomes palpably noticeable? I have a form of cancer (non-Hodgkins lymphoma). My oncologist on first diagnosis said "You'll probably die of something else." I'm 68. Should I concern myself with things that would take decades to manifest? This isn't meant to diminish the importance of the topic. Many hobbyists are much younger and probably do much more work with these things than I. For them the topic should be very important. But perhaps the best lesson to be learned is to handle with care and use in moderation.

[AntonyUK]

Hi.

In the U.K. we have a register that’s called COSH. Control Of Substances Hazardous to Health.

Most things sold in the UK have a link printed on them pointing you the instructions and hazards.

I do think that all modelers should be aware of what you are using and its hazards if any. Including timber dust.

 

Thanks for posting a real important subject

 

Regards Antony.

[Modeler12]

I wonder how many women have read an MSDS when using nail polish, and even worse, nail polish remover.

Even some lipsticks have 'chemicals' that may be 'hazardous to your health'.

 

I am not negating the importance of safety when handling chemicals, but most of the time, all it takes is some common sense. As mentioned, carefully reading one of those data sheets takes a while and I don't bother any longer.

[mischief]

Whether or not you choose to read the given information is ultimately up to you. I'm sure there are people here who never before gave a second thought to all the glues, paints and other solvents.

 

 

Here's another one for you, Testors ELO paint remover:

http://www.testors.com/media/document/MS.F522142.050911.pdf

 

Another one off the Testors Website, Floquil Paint

http://www.testors.com/media/document/MS.F110181.050911.pdf

**Note that this is specific for each colour, in this case BNSF green. As each paint contains different pigment compounds, the MSDS will be slightly different for each.

 

 

This is for Polyscale Acrylics:

http://www.testors.com/media/document/MS.POLLYRR.062912.pdf

**the same disclaimer to the above also applies.

 

And finally, good old Dulcote:

http://www.testors.com/media/document/MS.F130015.050911.pdf

 

Testors has done a great job on their website by providing a pdf copy of the relevant MSDS linked below each product description.

 

I still mutter at them for discontinuing Floquil and Polyscale.....

 

Andy

 

I'm sure that many here use common sense and proper vetilation when using the products you mention,I know I do.

 

Ed

[realworkingsailor]

It's funny.... When you think about the bigger picture, "common sense" isn't really that common...

 

I think a better phrase should be "I take all proper precautions as required".

 

Andy

[mtaylor]

There is Crackers... http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/327-le-fleuron-by-g-bordeleau-scale-124/?p=142081

 

I'll repost the relevant comments here:

 

From Gaetan:

THE MOST DANGEROUS WOOD DUST

 

We read a lot of things concerning wood toxicity. In Quebec province, one organism protects the workers. http://www.reptox.cs...sBoisCancer.htm

 

This link shows some tables about wood toxicity. In fact we should talk about wood dust which is dangerous.

 

Here are some extractions of the most dangerous wood dust:

Oak and beech; confirm cancer on human

Birch, mahogany, teak, walnut, suspect cancer on human

 

Certain woods contains chemical products causing allergy.

Here are some extractions

Macassar quinone in macassar ebony

dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone in maple sugar, African mohagany

 

 

http://www.acgih.org...FTOKEN=15225595

LInk to American association in English: ACGIH 

 

wood dust beech and oak, when I first read this few mounths ago, I was very much surprise to learn this. Last autumn, in an exposition, I was talking to students making violin and they also knew about oak. I do not use oak and beech and I surely will not be using these woods any more. I do not know , but I guess that they observed workerrs  in oak dust environment for years who died from cancer and were able to establish links.

 

I guess it would be interesting to copy a table from an English source as the one I saw in the french source. I guess that it wouls some way possible to copy the tables and mentioning the provenance.

 

I think that these are ther best sources available who could demistify which woods are dangerous  and which one are not so dangerous.

[Richard Griffith]

Good advice regarding dust and allergic reactions.

 

The photo above shows a very UNSAFE cutting technique and is not recommended. 

 

Duff

[Mike Y]

Speaking of a wood dust - what kind of a mask is most effective against it?

I have a problem with a wood dust while sanding - coughing after that, dust in a nose, etc. Sometimes you even feel it next morning. So some mask would be definitely useful.

[realworkingsailor]

You'd probably be OK with a NiOSH paper dust mask. They are designed to keep out most dry dust particulate. For liquid vapours you would need a respirator with replaceable staged filters.

 

Andy

[mtaylor]

The wood discussion now has it's own topic here:  http://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/4958-wood-toxicity/    Thanks, Michael.

[JPZ66]

Andy, yes, glad you brought up the subject ... So many of these things can have a major impact on one's health ! I always have dust masks, cartridge or other filtering device, goggles, face shield gloves, etc, avail for use. The chemicals that can be absorbed through your skin can cause many problems, as much as other can get you from breathing them - many think it is nothing, but add up the exposures over a period of 10-20-30 years and you may well regret not taking preventive measures ! Nobody is trying be alarmist here, just trying to educate- thanks for bringing up other safety aspects Andy.

 

Joe

[HIPEXEC]

Don't breathe any wood saw dust! You can get very good masks at Ace Hardware or even Home Depot. Whatever you do, don't breathe the dust from the many exotic woods we use.

[normanh]

Slighty off topic but how many of you smoke? I trained in analytical chemistry many years ago and I know full well whats in tobacco smoke ( I worked in the industry for 13 years including 6 years in the Labs), that would concern me more that what we would encounter within our hobby.

 

I dont smoke.

 

Norman

[dgbot]

Try reading the information sheet given with prescription medicines for side effects - I take a couple one for blood pressure, the laugh is we take these to either control or cure a medical condition.

 

I have worked with chemicals for most of my working life and trained and qualified in chemistry, all substances should and are assessed in their intend application and must always be treated with respect and not abused.

Norman

 

 

I read the instructions on the meds I am taking with my chemo therapy. One of them is a special order to the manufacturer by the doctor where they will confirm the exact dosage inform me then tell everything I cannot do by law. The side effects are fatal. The reason for the enforcement. This drug will cause either birth defects or kill the fetus.

David B

Edited February 12, 2014 by dgbot