I’ve been using Cetol finishing products for a long time. But recent work on some exterior trim with Type 1 caused an annoying and scary reaction in my eyes, nose and chest. I was wearing safety glasses and a mask (not a respirator) during the application. I went to the company’s web site and downloaded the MSDS for the product and was shocked at what I found… warnings of severe skin, respiratory and eye irritation. Even worse, it’s Classified 2B – possible human carcinogen. There’s another warning about sanding the stuff as in refinishing.
I’ve attached the PDF version of the MSDS for anyone who has or is planning to use this product.
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Yup, the stuff is nasty, but it works well for what it does. In addition to the warnings about application process, it's also not recommended for furniture (skin contact).
Scott.
Just as a general piece of info: You can work with a substance for years and not have a problem, then suddenly develop sensitivity. Sometimes this is an allergic reaction, and sometimes it's simply that the chemical has accumulated in the body until it reaches a threshold level.
I have to change deodorant brands about every 5 years because they start causing a skin rash.
it's like I say about most any product of a chemical nature ... first time I thought of it was contact cement ...
if it can't kill ya it won't work!
for the contact cement ... it was ... if it can't kill ya it won't stick.
the more dangerous it smells when you open the container, the better I know it'll work.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I use to think that too. But when it comes to paint stripper I have found the newer citrus based products to be a lot better than the old methyl chloride (or whatever it is) based stuff.
And it won't kill ya (at least not as fast.
This is actually one of the more detailed and useful MSDS's I've seen - and I synthesize drugs for a living! Keep in mind that these documents are oriented around the worst case scenario. Even the MSDS for water would make you a little nervous. The numbers I pay most attention to are: STEL (short term exposure limits - most you should take in in 15 minutes) and PELs (permissable exposure limits - average amount you can be safely exposed to over an 8 hour workday) Low numbers for the STEL are bad news if the component is a major part of the mixture. In this case, the STELs for xylenes and ethylbenzene are both pretty low (125 - 150ppm), although I would guess there is a lot more xylene in there than ethylbenzene.
Don't stress yourself out about the carcinogenicity - it's bad, and you should wear a respirator whenever you're handling solvents (everyone raise your hand if you wear a respirator when mixing fuel for a chainsaw/weedwhacker/lawnmower etc...), but "suspect" carcinogens are pretty low on the totem pole. In fact, you'll notice that one of the "possible" teratogens (i.e. causing birth defects) is cumene, which can be isolated from cumin seeds. Oftentimes compounds are labelled "suspect" because they haven't been able to find a level that conclusively causes cancer, but they can't find a level that doesn't cause cancer either. Cancer in a lab rat is not great evidence of human cancer. As many of us in the field have noted, curing cancer is easy: we've cured rats of cancer thousands of times!
I would guess that the mix of ethylbenzene and xylenes proably caused most of your problems, and both can still be found in model airplane glue.
For most of these things, it's the solvents that you're most likely to be exposed to, and the smart choice would be a cartridge type respirator with a "organic vapor" filter on it - a HEPA filter will do you no good here. Dust masks are for dust. Also, keep in mind that ammonia containing compounds will require a different filter cartridge yet. You can stack filters on many masks, which makes for multiple protection possibilities. Sometimes (particularly with strong ammonia fumes) a respirator isn't enough - you need goggles or a full face shield to protect your eyes.
I use a respirator like this:
http://www.moldex.com/respiratory-protection/reusable-respirators/index.php
I store it in a Ziplock when not in use. Most filters are shot after being open for 6 months. Obviously, if you smell fumes coming through it means your cartridge has become saturated. I probably use it more at home than I do at work - although I have specially vented workspaces on the job designed to limit exposure in the first case.
-t
Good info! I took and Occupational Health Nursing class. Holy ####. I found out I was making phosgene gas in my shoe shop. Tolulene (spelling) ,if it hits a red hot surface,will form a nerve/lung gas used in WW1, like a NG unit heater in my shop. That is one of the many solvents in contact cement. and is used less all the time. It used to be a big , go to solvent in a lot of shoe dyes, etc.As mentioned allergies are aquired, and repeated exposure is a usual key.One other factor little known is the additive effect. If you hit a short or long term exposure limit for one solvent. The limit drops for the next solvent, and for the next drops more.
So you can not base exposure on only one solvent, you must consider all of them at the time used.
Another thing that should be noted is that there are a lot of genetic variables with regard to solvent tolerance in particular. Some solvents are metabolized in the liver, and genetic differences in liver enzymes can make a major difference in sensitivity. And some solvents are metabolized by the mitochondria and defects in the mDNA can make you very sensitive, plus damage to the mitochondria can build up over time (as can damage to the liver).
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith
Thanks for the explanation. As a carpenter I read that MSDS and immediately thought of "death by varnish!" Either way, I've stopped using Cetol because of the eye, nose and skin irritation we've experienced. That's enough evidence for me.
Thanks again.
You should have seen the reaction I got from Titebond.
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness. -John Kenneth Galbraith