Caution

[Guest]

I believe that a good spray booth with good extraction, that is one that shifts a significant volume of air is almost as important as your mask. My 'Exagon' shifts over 350 m3/hr from my work area. It wasn't cheap (around £200) but what price your health?

Good point. I invested in a GraphicAir A300 a few years ago and it's great for shifting fumes out of the shed.


The Exagon is a good option and wasn't around when I bought mine otherwise I probably would have gone for that instead.

[BBdave]

As far as I can remember benzene is one of the main ingredients of fuel oil extremely carsinogenic far more dangerous than the lead ever was .


Dave

[Guest]

The fresh air comes from a filter unit on a belt. Put a link in a previous post to show what I use

That link showed only the half-mask. At £15, it has to be discarded after one month of use and replaced (no replacement filter pads), so quite expensive.


What I was interested in was the other: " full face mask with filter on belt which provides fresh air over your face." That seems the safest way. Name, where available?


Thanks.

[Paul Davies]

That link showed only the half-mask. At £15, it has to be discarded after one month of use and replaced (no replacement filter pads), so quite expensive.
What I was interested in was the other: " full face mask with filter on belt which provides fresh air over your face." That seems the safest way. Name, where available?


Thanks.

http://www.srsafety.com/products/ansiktsdelar-till-sr-500-och-srsr-700/skarm-sr-540

[stona]

The blood test recorded benzene

I'd be surprised if any model making products contained benzene. Some commercially available paints still use benzene as a solvent, but there are alternatives.


Even back in the '70s we were minimising the use of benzene in laboratories, it's use was strictly regulated and we had to use something similar (like toluene, which is a commonly used solvent in paints, varnishes etc) unless benzene was unavoidable as part of a process.


I would expect any commercially available paints, fillers or solvents to contain the much less problematic toluene in place of benzene if such a chemical was required.


I've had a look at several different tins of Humbrol, White Ensign, Xtracolour and Modelmaster enamel paints and none list benzene as an ingredient. The only recognisable solvents listed are MEK, naptha and 'Stoddard Solvent'. The latter is a similar to white spirits. The deleterious effects of benzene on human health have been known since the mid 20th century to my knowledge.


It might be that the medics used the generic term 'benzenes' to describe other aromatic hydrocarbons. If they really meant benzene then it might be you were exposed elsewhere.


Cheers


Steve

[Guest]

I'd be surprised if any model making products contained benzene. Some commercially available paints still use benzene as a solvent, but there are alternatives.
Even back in the '70s we were minimising the use of benzene in laboratories, it's use was strictly regulated and we had to use something similar (like toluene, which is a commonly used solvent in paints, varnishes etc) unless benzene was unavoidable as part of a process.


I would expect any commercially available paints, fillers or solvents to contain the much less problematic toluene in place of benzene if such a chemical was required.


I've had a look at several different tins of Humbrol, White Ensign, Xtracolour and Modelmaster enamel paints and none list benzene as an ingredient. The only recognisable solvents listed are MEK, naptha and 'Stoddard Solvent'. The latter is a similar to white spirits. The deleterious effects of benzene on human health have been known since the mid 20th century to my knowledge.


It might be that the medics used the generic term 'benzenes' to describe other aromatic hydrocarbons. If they really meant benzene then it might be you were exposed elsewhere.


Cheers


Steve

Hmm interesting I do use other spray paints non humbrol etc I think a bit more investigation is needed I have the vet this week so will say to him

[Guest]

I'd be surprised if any model making products contained benzene. Some commercially available paints still use benzene as a solvent, but there are alternatives.
Even back in the '70s we were minimising the use of benzene in laboratories, it's use was strictly regulated and we had to use something similar (like toluene, which is a commonly used solvent in paints, varnishes etc) unless benzene was unavoidable as part of a process.


I would expect any commercially available paints, fillers or solvents to contain the much less problematic toluene in place of benzene if such a chemical was required.


I've had a look at several different tins of Humbrol, White Ensign, Xtracolour and Modelmaster enamel paints and none list benzene as an ingredient. The only recognisable solvents listed are MEK, naptha and 'Stoddard Solvent'. The latter is a similar to white spirits. The deleterious effects of benzene on human health have been known since the mid 20th century to my knowledge.


It might be that the medics used the generic term 'benzenes' to describe other aromatic hydrocarbons. If they really meant benzene then it might be you were exposed elsewhere.


Cheers


Steve

Green putty from squadron and zero pastimes mention toluene and it sounds really bad for your health and i use both. What's your opinion on toluene as I'd like more info on it!

[stona]

I'm not a doctor so I can't really comment on things like toxicity. As a chemist we used toluene in place of benzene as a solvent because it is considered much more benign and most importantly is not a carcinogen.


It can cause problems and there will be statutory limits on work place exposure somewhere. I don't see anyway you can come close to that sort of exposure through normal use of a model putty. If you do have sensitive skin or are prone to skin problems then wearing some latex gloves might be worthwhile when handling a product containing toluene. The same could be said for any other organic solvent.


In the laboratory the biggest danger from toluene was probably the risk of fire! Ohh, it is quite easy to make TNT if you've got some nitric acid handy (and maybe a bit of sulphuric if I remember correctly...it's been a long time since I did any of this stuff) That can obviously have some serious consequences if you do it in an 'uncontrolled' way


Cheers


Steve

[stona]

I was intrigued by this and have just had an exchange of emails with an ex-colleague who only recently retired from a well known chemical company where we both worked many years ago.


He says that benzene has not been permitted in products marketed to the public for 'a long time' with the exception of petrol. A long time might not be an exactly scientific quantity, but it means not for many years.


The significant environmental source of benzene is now petrol, for example trace amounts in meat, fish, nuts etc. Smoking cigarettes also gives a dose of benzene, about 800 micro grams per day for twenty fags.


If the medics really do mean benzene, as in that specific chemical, then it can't possibly be from this hobby and someone should be asking where it really did come from.


Cheers


Steve

[ojays]

Having spent most of my working life using, cellulose, 2 pack epoxy, acrylic, toluene, fibre resin, fibre glass, cyanoacrylate, & several assorted water based paints.


Maybe stupidly, hardly ever wearing a mask, (touch wood) I have never suffered any breathing or major respiratory problems associated with the above products.


I agree with Steve, maybe another diagnosis may be beneficial.