Are our favorite products killing us?

Setec Astronomy said:
Vegas Transplant--I guess the point I was trying to make is this. For instance, those borax-based white gritty hand soaps (like Boraxo) that are common, I can't use those, they make the back of my hands turn red--but I can't wear gloves when washing my hands, right? Most people use them with no problems, but I can't.

So if you make xyz cleaner, and it really is safe to get on your hands, but 1% or 2% or 5% of the people who use it will get red hands, you put that in the MSDS so you don't get complaints from the people who get red hands. And then you have wheel acid...what I'm saying is that reading MSDS's frequently makes it hard to separate out what is the really dangerous stuff from the moderately or mildly dangerous, because almost anything will tell you to wear gloves.

Here's a good example, I bet all the leather treatment products tell you in the MSDS to wear gloves...but then you might sit on that seat you just treated in shorts and a t-shirt, and grab the steering wheel you just treated with your bare hands. I'm not sure whether the answer to that is you should be wearing long shirts and pants and wearing gloves to drive, but there you go.
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10-04 roger Setec.
 
Impressions said:
right now just cheap paper (betteer than nothing), but I'm looking into 3M masks, they seem to offer a great selection.

$$$$ should not be a factor in the purchase of a high quality mask!
find what suits you and shop for it's best deal
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Becareful here, a cheap paper mask can actually cause more harm then good. The proper mask with filter out the media/vapors/etc, however, if the mask is not rated for the media/vapor/etc you are going to be in contact with the mask will actually act as a chamber. It will hold the media/vapor/etc inside the mask and create a far more dangerous effect than with no protection at all.

There are many, many free online MSDS searchs, most all you need is very little information about the product to narrow it down. All companies who PRODUCE chemicals must have a up to date data base for MSDS, and most commonly with a simple phone call and product name will gladly send you a copy. Ones I have requested have taken minutes to obtain.

When giving recommendations on protection, remember the term, "Well ventilated area", this is often a key to mose chemicals when using them.

Common sense goes along ways too, as alot of products used here are made remove tar, grease, brake residue, etc. They more times than not will have a direct effect on your skin.

Most poeples hands are very dry after a long detail as the mositure has been robbed from them.
 
With Springtime approaching in many regions of our Country, many more people's thoughts are turning to detailing...
Thanks, OP, for a timely reminder of, and for: Safe use of "products" for these detailing purposes; and, I'd like to add: "Products" used at home and work, as well.

MSDS...Many postings of mine included MSDS's. Sure, they don't tell you everything, but some of them gives you at least something for determining if "products" contain any hazardous chemicals/ingredients and the % of said chemicals/ingredients.

Trust...Perhaps one can't always trust the Chemical Co.'s information. I suppose one can take the initiative to "research" chemicals on their own. But then, can one trust Chemistry?

Example: Some wheel-cleaners on the market today claim to not contain 'acids'...especially the dreaded HF acid...as manifested on their MSDS's.
Question: What could be the results when ammonium bi-fluoride comes into contact with water/moisture; and, could these results be harmful to human beings, other animals, plant-life, pollute waterways, etc.?

Irregardless...Sometimes one must dig a little deeper for safety's-sake...One can never be too careful, IMO.


Thanks again for this thread, good Sir...

:)

Bob
 
30+ years in the detail industry and thank the Lord I have no adverse health issues from it. I do take precautions and they seem to be working.

If the industry is hurting you, STOP what your doing and fix it or leave the business. Your life is much more precious than money.
 
I always wear eye pro, as soon as I take them off Murphy strikes and something will splatter, wind will change etc.

sent via telepathy
 
Thanks Renny, and Rasky, (and others on this thread) for your comments, suggestions, and pics.

It's unfortunate and embarrassing for me to report, that my 30 years of detailing cars has impacted my health. I have respiratory issues from years of using compounds and not wearing a mask. I have a chronic condition now. I am very sensitive to any particulate entering my lungs and I get sick.

As a product developer, you can imagine that I am around sanding and buffing almost everyday. This is not unlike the exposure a full time detailer gets daily. A mask is a must for me now, or else I get very sick. And yes, looking back, I sure wish I would have made it a practice years ago. I was full aware of the option back then. It's not an option for me now.

So please...take it from someone who has been in the game a long time. Wear the safety gear.

Other comments (already mentioned but worth re-stating)
  • Skin is a semi-permiable membrane...fluids go in and out. Wear gloves.
  • Fastest way to get a nasty chemical into your body and do damage is through your eyes. Wear safety glasses.
  • Particulate is cumulative in your lungs. Wear a mask appropriate for the kind of dust you will be around.
Good thread. Thanks.
Jason
 
Joe@Superior Shine said:
30+ years in the detail industry and thank the Lord I have no adverse health issues from it. I do take precautions and they seem to be working.

If the industry is hurting you, STOP what your doing and fix it or leave the business. Your life is much more precious than money.
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Jason Rose said:
Thanks Renny, and Rasky, (and others on this thread) for your comments, suggestions, and pics.

It's unfortunate and embarrassing for me to report, that my 30 years of detailing cars has impacted my health. I have respiratory issues from years of using compounds and not wearing a mask. I have a chronic condition now. I am very sensitive to any particulate entering my lungs and I get sick.

As a product developer, you can imagine that I am around sanding and buffing almost everyday. This is not unlike the exposure a full time detailer gets daily. A mask is a must for me now, or else I get very sick. And yes, looking back, I sure wish I would have made it a practice years ago. I was full aware of the option back then. It's not an option for me now.

So please...take it from someone who has been in the game a long time. Wear the safety gear.

Other comments (already mentioned but worth re-stating)

Skin is a semi-permiable membrane...fluids go in and out. Wear gloves.
Fastest way to get a nasty chemical into your body and do damage is through your eyes. Wear safety glasses.
Particulate is cumulative in your lungs. Wear a mask appropriate for the kind of dust you will be around.
Good thread. Thanks.

Jason
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Thank you Joe and Jason for chiming in...


:xyxthumbs:
 
For what its worth N-95 masks are great. We use them in our job most of the time and also for those with a iPhone, theres an ERG(Emergency Response Guide) app that we also use. If all else fails, call CHEMTREC 1-800-424-9300 ***NOTE*** Only call this number IF you have had a chemical contact and you began to have a reaction. This is not a number to call just to see what dangers can possibly be in your detailing products. As others have said, check with manufacture this will always bee your best bet. I personally use latex gloves when I detail and always where safety glasses when I clean my rims and tires. The product can sometimes splash into the eyes and don't feel like having tubes run into my eyes again. Been through it once due to a call I was on and was like torture.
 
whenever i dont detail the car interior for a while, the inside of my windshield gets all nasty and filmy with who knows what. it took me a while to realize it was probably fumes from whatever product i used to clean or dress the dash, and maybe the glass cleaner too, building up over time. then i thought to myself "that same junk is probably going into my lungs too". i always drive with the windows open and breathing in exhaust isnt too healthy either.
 
this thread reminds me i need to buy some correctly sized gloves, that is why i dont wear them because i cannot find the proper size and it really hinders my work flow. luckily i found some nice black nitrile gloves for 11$ shipped in size medium for me...i need to wear them when using all purpose cleaners, they dry my hands out really bad. and pbmg needs to make msds sheets available easier, its not like there putting proprietary information on them,as you can just state " proprietary ingredients xx-xx%" that is what meguiar's does so i don't get the big deal about pbmg making it so difficult, company's need to stop being so secretive(msds sheeds dont provide enough information to even copy a product regardless)about sheets we are required to have in our shops. come on have to email then wait for msds sheets i find is a bit ridiculous. also for other company's they need to be easier to find on web pages. i do think AG should offer cheaper prices on personal protection equipment like nitrile gloves, and offer good choices in masks/anti-vibration gloves and maybe some good safety glasses as with AG's research im sure they can find something better suited for detailers, or get something made that is better suited.
 
DJ Richard said:
it took me a while to realize it was probably fumes from whatever product i used to clean or dress the dash, and maybe the glass cleaner too, building up over time. then i thought to myself "that same junk is probably going into my lungs too".
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Yeah, but think how clean and shiny the inside of your lungs are!:buffing:
 
DJ Richard said:
whenever i dont detail the car interior for a while, the inside of my windshield gets all nasty and filmy with who knows what. it took me a while to realize it was probably fumes from whatever product i used to clean or dress the dash, and maybe the glass cleaner too, building up over time. then i thought to myself "that same junk is probably going into my lungs too". i always drive with the windows open and breathing in exhaust isnt too healthy either.
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the film on our windshields comes from plastics in the car outgassing.......thats a whole different problem with environmental toxins

Are our cars and trucks killing us?

What wont kill you?

Should we live in bubbles?
 
Impressions said:
the film on our windshields comes from plastics in the car outgassing.......thats a whole different problem with environmental toxins
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All the plastic, carpet, (a type of plastic), door panels, headliners, seats, wiring, soundproofing, padding, dashes, etc. all these things cause what's generically called,

Vinyl Fog

We see it as an oily film that builds-up on the glass but think about it, if it's building up on the glass, (something we can see it build-up on because we can see through it and thus see if anything building-up), then isn't it actually building up on any surface inside the car it accumulates on.

I've also been told it's carcinogenic, that is it can cause cancer.

Most people like it and call it by it's other name, "New Car Smell"


I had vinyl fog on the one new car I've purchased in my life and that was a Honda Pilot, the Pilot is gone and so are the vinyl fog/carcinogen problems...


:)
 
It is my belief that companies MUST make MSDS available.

If any company tries to say no, let them know that you will no longer be doing any business with them and will let this fact be know to everyone I can.

This is just one of those things that REALLY gets my shivies in a wad.

Rant over...

Bill
 
Just to be clear, it's the law that an MSDS be available, however, if there are registered "trade secret" ingredients, they will be listed as such, xx% trade secret ingredient. But the hazard and PPE (personal protective ensemble) gear etc. will still be listed.
 
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