Ever use brake cleaner? READ THIS...

[AZhitman]

...and pass it along.

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

[SHIFT_COUPE]

Wow...

[themadscientist]

That's Phosgene boys and girls.

http://toxipedia.org/display/toxipedia/Phosgene

Phosgene was first used as a Chemical Weapons in World War I by the Germans, but was later used by the French, Americans, and British in that same conflict (Gray, 2006). Initial deployment of the gas was by the Germans at Ypres Salient on December 19, 1915 when they released around 4000 cylinders of phosgene combined with Chlorine against the British. Phosgene has rarely been used since World War I, partly because most countries frowned upon the use of chemical weapons and partly because newer agents were developed (Gray, 2006). Phosgene was responsible for the majority of deaths that result from chemical warfare (CDC).

[carloslebaron]

What I understood from that testimony is that brake cleaner fluids/vapors in conjunction with high heat will become poisonous.

If this is the case, on Summer time when I do car fixing, for cleaning the parts I will use head and shoulders shampoo...

[jbracy7]

Man I got some cleaner on my hands as I type,this is scary,just a whiff can do all that! Dawm I'm gonna be a lot more carefull with my welder and break parts cleaner

[sx moneypit]

I use non-chlorinated brake cleaner in my shop.

[asoomal]

It also tastes funny...kinda sweet but sharp at the same time.

[WDRacing]

I use non-chlorinated brake cleaner in my shop.

As do I. It should also be noted that chlorine is a severe corrosive.

Burning and or heating a chemical compound and inhaling it, especially a cleaner, is rarely a good idea. Unless it's C21H30O2 Stupid people have been huffing awful compounds for years even though it causes all sorts of very very bad things to happen to your body.

Also, not to discount the severity of phosgene, the author was admittedly in a hurry, used a process he wasn't familiar with and then didn't seek medical attention immediately after having a seizure. Darwin would be proud.

Brake cleaner is awesome, I'll continue to use it because there simply isn't anything better for a quick clean with little to no residual leftovers.

[Towncivilian]

I oughta switch to non-chlorinated once I use up the rest of my cans.

[Kompresshun]

I use non-chlorinated brake cleaner in my shop.

Ditto. I usually always have non-chlorinated, but I accidentally bought the regular stuff a couple of weeks ago. It's already gone and replaced with the right kind though.

I use brake parts cleaner with nearly every job I do though. I used two cans this weekend alone while doing the sway bar bushings and end links on the Maxima. It had grease and grime everywhere.

[audtatious]

I only sniff it so I don't have to worry about excessive heat

[gwoods]

Brake Cleaner and Carb Cleaner are excellent for killing spiders

[AZhitman]

^ This.

I use a TON of it during restorations. I can't count how many times I've gotten it in my eyes.

Just be careful, guys - Wear safety gear and no welding puddles of brake cleaner!

[themadscientist]

citrikleen is badass. I prefer it to brake cleaner.

http://www.west-penetone.com/citrikleen.html

[BusyBadger]

Phosgene and mustard gas are so passe...

...but if anyone finds a cleaner that breaks down into VX or GB let me know. There are some new kids in the neighborhood that need to learn to chill out.

Seriously though, phosgene is no joke...LD50 is something like 500ppm. That's not much, and smaller exposures can even be more insidious - it showing symptoms untl much later when there has been time to do more lung damage.

I'm curious to know what the dose was for the guy in the linked article.

[themadscientist]

You be careful with that.

[dickie]

i just put the straw up my nose as far as I can, bump the nozzle and wake up hours later with a bad headache. Is this normal?

[gwoods]

Yes that is normal

[300ZXttZMAN]

Damn thats so crazy how just a tiny whiff can do so much..

[WDRacing]

It does give me some inspiration for "apocalypse" scenario warfare...maybe a road flare ducked taped to a can of brake clean

[themadscientist]

I knew you were the gay biker from Road Warrior!

[WDRacing]

I wish I had that much hair...

[sx moneypit]

[Dattebayo]

I had a run-in once with some burning R40 freon when installing a new compressor into an air-conditioning unit on a roof, I got the barest of whiffs from the stuff but I still remember the smell and taste of that ish in my mouth, ugh. I never had a seizure or any of the complications listed (lucky as sh*t, right?), but it did make me puke my guts out and have to take the rest of the day off.

[alms24sebring]

^ wow.

You know Ive always wondered and kinda knew about that in the back of my mind. When I take poops I usually read the stuff on the back of everything I can find. In bold brake cleaner says "Contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer". We all know it, we've all read it. Ive never really felt high although I have sneezed around BC alot. What I mean by that is taking that deep breathe of air for the sneeze to happen, there always seems to be a cloud of BC that Im walking into as soon as that moment happens. Sometimes its worrisome...

[Dattebayo]

According to what I have read in some manuals, brake cleaner and freon can only be changed into phosgene using concentrated UV rays or from intense heat not caused by a typical fire... So unfortunately the guy who wrote the article did EXACTLY what he shouldn't have. And so did I, by not evacuating the lines with nitrogen like I should have... (copper pressure lines have to be brazed with acetylene, and it burns pretty damn hot)

[Ace2cool]

"Contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer".

Everything causes cancer in CA. I completely ignore that warning when I see it. Chances are, I already know it as a caustic chemical and take precautions with it. Hell, now cars have a gay window sticker that comes from the dealership that says "This vehicle contains chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer." Words don't express how much more I hate this state from day to day. I only wish I could move.

[themadscientist]

I love those stickers. It begs the question, why is California the only one that knows? You'd think they would pick up a damned phone and call the other states and tell them to "get tested." d!ck s.

[WDRacing]

They know no one would answer the phone...

[Ace2cool]

Zing!