Brake Cleaner- Welding - Phosgene Gas- Death
 

Thought I'd pass along this safety info since so many of us use brake cleaners.

Basically, beware of brake cleaner brands that use tetrachloroethylene as vapors can decompose or turn into harmful or FATAL Phosgene gas under argon gas (TIG/MIG welding) with no antidote and/or hydrogen chloride. Phosgene gas is fatal in as little as 4-ppm (a wiff of smoke).

Be careful.

http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm

:-) neil

mods: a sticky ?

Holy crap. I would totally do that. That is some crazy deadly chemistry.

wow 4-ppm!! safty sticky?

Thx for posting this!

I was going to say I thought an artical got posted in a magazine or somewhere a couple years ago.

As always, be careful when playing with multiple different chemicals/gasses. When things start mixing with gasoline or solvants, shit can get real.

Some more info that may be of use


R12 Dangers

OSHA Welding Health Hazards

I read an article like this, written by someone who experienced it first hand. He has issues with nerves and stuff now.

I think this one is talking about that article... but I can't seem to find it on google anymore.

http://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb...-issue-185470/

Heck, I wear a respirator even when using brake cleaner containing chlorinated solvents - that stuff goes right into your lungs and into your bloodstream

Damn Ive used brake cleaner right before welding some shit before. Glad i read this. Thanks for posting man.

As someone who worked in a chemical plant that uses phosgene gas in its' process, let me confirm that wearing a standard filter or canister style respirator will do little good against phosgene gas. When potential exposure to this gas is possible, all employees wear full face supplied breathing air style respirators (like the one's you see fireman wearing). We also wore phosgene dosimeter badges that would detect exposure.

As a side note, so people aren't overly freaked out, you should know that very few people die due to phosgene exposure. More people die each year due to nitrogen asphyxiation, but it is still important to educate yourself about these things.

Good looking out! Thank you.

mods. start A safty sticky 4 all.? 1st 2nd and 3rd gen?

Yeah my dad told me about this, one of his buddys at work got really sick because of this, hospital visit and the whole works. Be careful guys.

Currently scanning the forums to know what to expect with my soon to own FD.

-Jake

thanks for the safety tip.