Editing Health and safety in the shop or garage (section)
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==Chemical handling and exposure== ===MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets)=== Material Safety Data Sheets are summaries of the chemical properties of any material. Employers are generally required to have them available for any material they use, and manufacturers and distributors will often include them when they ship a product. MSDS supply important info to people working with various materials in an occupational fashion. For example, an MSDS for paint is not highly pertinent to someone who uses a can of paint once a year, but is extremely important to someone who does this in a confined space, forty hours a week, for decades. Serious hobbyists who use materials regularly should consult the MSDS. *[http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ Where to find MSDS on the Internet] *[http://www.ilpi.com/msds/ref/demystify.html The MS-Demystifier] ===Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)=== Personal protective equipment should be chosen and worn correctly when working with various chemicals. Standard fare when dealing with a majority of chemicals includes safety goggles (often used with a face shield), apron, and protective gloves that protect the hands and forearms, and possibly even a respirator. PPE should be chosen carefully to ensure compatibility with the type of chemical being used. Do not use thinners or solvents to clean your hands or other body parts. Solvents and thinners do soak through your skin and into your blood stream. Many solvents and thinners are very toxic and could cause severe irritations, sickness or death. ===Brake parts cleaner, welding, and phosgene poisoning=== Phosgene, a deadly gas, may be produced when welding parts that have been cleaned with solvents containing chlorinated hydrocarbons, such as brake parts cleaner. Phosgene was used during World War I as a chemical weapon. It is often not detectable, but may also smell like freshly mown grass or musty hay. Phosgene is a combustion product of various common chlorinated solvents. It does not occur naturally. Ultraviolet radiation (like that created during welding) can convert chloroform into phosgene. Phosgene is an irritant that damages the skin, eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. Symptoms of phosgene exposure include coughing, burning sensation in throat and eyes, watery eyes, blurred vision, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and pulmonary edema. Delayed effects of phosgene exposure (up to 48 hours later) include difficulty breathing, coughing up white or pink fluid, low blood pressure, and heart failure. Long-term health effects of phosgene exposure can include chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The effects of phosgene gas poisoning may not show up immediately, and may be cumulative over time, with multiple exposures. By the time you can smell phosgene, you've already been exposed to a hazardous dose of it. Because of this, prolonged exposure to phosgene without intervention is possible. The OSHA permissible exposure limit to phosgene is 0.1 ppm (parts per million) averaged over an 8-hour workshift. Phosgene is considered immediately dangerous to life or health at 2 ppm. Because the odor detection threshold is 0.4 to 1.5 ppm, odor does not provide sufficient warning of harmful phosgene concentration in the air. If you think you may have been exposed to phosgene gas, move outside or to fresh air. Phosgene gas is heavier than air, and will sink, so move to higher ground if possible. If your eyes are burning or your vision is blurred, rinse your eyes with fresh water for 10 to 15 minutes. Seek medical attention. Those at risk of phosgene gas exposure may choose to wear [http://www.afcintl.com/gasdet/isocyanates/gmdbadge2.htm phosgene detection badges]. [[File:Warning label.jpg|400px]] <br style="clear:both"/> ====Further details on phosgene poisoning==== *[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phosgene Wikipedia page on phosgene] *[http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0504.html NIOSH pocket guide to phosgene] *[http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mhmi/mmg176.html CDC medical management guidelines for phosgene] *[http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/phosgene/basics/facts.asp CDC facts about phosgene] *[http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm Anecdotal account of phosgene poisoning resulting from using brake cleaner to clean welded parts] ===Acids=== ====Battery acid==== Automotive batteries contain "battery acid", or more formally, ''sulfuric'' acid. When handled improperly, sulfuric acid can cause blindness, burning, and death. Batteries give off hydrogen gas during charging or when in operation in a vehicle. Avoid sources of combustion (flame, sparks) when in the vicinity of a battery to avoid an explosion. ====What do I do if I inhale, swallow, or splash acid in my eyes or skin?==== =====Eyes===== If you get acid in your eyes, don't rub your eyes, or keep them closed. They need to be "irrigated" for at least half an hour. If possible, use an emergency eyewash/shower station. Immediately flush the contaminated eye(s) with clean, lukewarm, gently flowing water for at least 30 minutes, while holding the eyelid(s) open. If irritation persists, repeat flushing. Neutral saline solution (may be available from someone who wears contact lenses) may be used as soon as it is available. DO NOT INTERRUPT FLUSHING. If necessary, keep the emergency vehicle waiting. Take care not to rinse contaminated water into the unaffected eye or onto the face. First aiders should avoid direct contact. Wear chemical protective gloves, if necessary. Quickly transport the victim to an emergency care facility. Flush any area of your body contacted by battery acid immediately and thoroughly. =====Skin===== As quickly as possible, flush the contaminated area with lukewarm, gently flowing water for at least 30 minutes. If irritation persists, repeat flushing. DO NOT INTERRUPT FLUSHING. Under running water, remove contaminated clothing, shoes and leather goods (e.g., watchbands, belts). Discard contaminated clothing, shoes and leather goods. Transport the victim to an emergency care facility immediately if conditions seem to warrant it of if in doubt. =====Swallowing===== If you ingest (i.e.: "swallow") acid, don't induce vomiting. If the victim is conscious, give 3 cups of milk or water. Don't ever give anything to an unconscious person. Seek medical attention. =====Inhalation===== If you inhale acid, get fresh air immediately. If breathing is difficult, give oxygen and seek medical attention. ===Don't use acid to clean concrete=== Using acid to clean concrete can crumble and flake your concrete surface. Acid doesn't actually "clean" concrete -- it '''dissolves''' it. The acid soaks into the concrete, and will continue to damage it until it is neutralized. Instead of sulfuric or muriatic (hydrochloric) acid, or any other kind of acid, use a commercial product specifically designed for cleaning concrete. Water will dilute acid to the point of being neutralized if enough water is used. Never add water to acid (remember the old chemistry class saying "do like you oughta, add acid to the water"). Always add acid '''slowly''' to water. In fact, sulfuric acid (and other strong acids) produces heat when it is introduced to water. The resulting exothermic reaction can almost instantly boil the water, blowing acid all over your body, leading to acid burns. ====Don't use battery acid to remove rust==== Besides the fact that battery acid is extremely dangerous to handle, it can cause hydrogen embrittlement, which severely weakens metal. ====Medical and government references on sulfuric acid==== *[http://www.osha.gov/dts/chemicalsampling/data/CH_268700.html OSHA page on sulfuric acid] *[http://www.bu.edu/es/labsafety/ESMSDSs/MSSulfuricAcid.html Sulfuric acid MSDS] ===Bondo=== Bondo, (a generic name for plastic body filler) was developed as a non-toxic replacement for lead. However, it still poses health risks. Gloves, mask, and sufficient ventilation are recommended when using Bondo. For more details, [http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/MSDS/Search/?gsaAction=msdsSRA&msdsLocale=en_US search the MSDS database at 3M.com].
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