[AT] Solvent

[charlie hill]

We use lots of MEK as solvent for thinning Epoxy paints and also for 
cleaning up spray equipment.  It is supposed to be a Neurotoxin and a 
carcinagin (sp).  I try to be careful with it and limit my exposure to the 
fumes and to my skin, however, some of the guys routinely use it to clean 
paint off their skin.  Not just their hands but I've actully seen guys wash 
their face with it.  If it has harmed them I can't tell it but that is the 
problem with solvents.  If it doesn't hurt you as soon as you touch it you 
get to thinking  it is ok.  Then 20 years later you can't figure  out why 
your health goes to pieces.

I've started making sure that there is some citrus based hand cleaner like 
the new GOJO orange on the job.  I still have to remind the guys to use it 
instead of MEK.

Charlie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve W." <falcon at telenet.net>
To: "Antique tractor email discussion group" <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 11:14 PM
Subject: Re: [AT] Solvent


> The paint shop I used to work in had just about every nasty solvent
> available. MEK was used like water in that place. One of the tests done
> by the QA people was a cure test using a cotton cloth and MEK. They
> counted how many rubs it took to dull or damage the coating. My wife was
> in charge of QA for 5 years and carried a pint push top bottle of MEK in
> her apron all the time. Due to the constant use of it she has almost no
> sense of smell but fortunately that is her only problem. I spent 11
> years there in both powder and liquid painting. Used LOT'S of solvents.
> Not showing any problems yet, however another gent has acute short term
> memory loss, to the point that he has to write down just about anything
> if he wants to remember it within an hour. If you ask him about it a
> week later he can remember it.
>
> Steve Williams
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "David Myers" <walking_tractor at yahoo.com>
> To: "Antique tractor email discussion group"
> <at at lists.antique-tractor.com>
> Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2005 8:23 PM
> Subject: Re: [AT] Solvent
>
>
>>
>>
>> --- kgw <gwaugh at wowway.com> wrote:
>>
>> Today, the toluol/toluene
>> > and MEK are rarely seen.
>>
>> Funny thing there, our local hardware store won't
>> stock toluol/toluene because it is 'very hazardous'
>> but does stock MEK (which I thought was worse?). Go
>> figure!
>>
>> > Point being here.  No, I don't condone that we go
>> > out and LOOK for
>> > trouble, but is such infrequent contact REALLY a
>> > problem, or do we spend
>> > much of our time tilting at windmills?
>>
>> One of my FIL's favorite sayings was "nothing in
>> moderation will hurt you."  But he also stated that to
>> much of even a good thing could be deadly.  I agree.
>> We must use all with a good deal of good sense and
>> remember that EVERYONE reacts to everything diffently.
>>
>> What doesn't bother me (today) is very toxic to the
>> next guy and vice-versa.  I just hope that what I did
>> yesterday won't bite me later in life but I will not
>> live in fear of what I love to do either!
>>
>> Live safely, but live life to the fullest!
>>
>> Dave
>>
>>
>>
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