The Laquer Thinner seems to cut right through my 3M facemask. This is a really crappy facemask that probably doesn't do much....those painting kind.

Is it ok to breath this stuff in for intermittent use?

 

Methanol, acetone, and toulene. Not overly toxic for inhalation, but certainly not reccomended in higher concentrations without an organic vapour cartridge in your mask.

At least move it outside.

 

I wouldn't on a daily basis, but I agree... outside is better

 

In your case, it's just fine. you're going to do what you want anyway.
pour some in a plastic bag. stick your head in the bag and breathe deep.

 

I'm gonna go ahead and say I wouldn't recommend it. Outside like what the others suggested is best.

 

Lol, lol, lol...

 

Seriously you should use a NIOSH breathing mask whenever you use those solvent. On the longer run those products can trigger a cancer. See the link > This is the mask I use for painting or when I'm expose on a longer period cleaning parts with solvent. You can use a half face mask but, it's not as good as the full face, I have never smell the odor of paint or solvent whenever I put it on. If you ever smell the odor with this mask it is either because it is not strap properly or because the filter are due to replace.

http://www.sentrysafetysupply.com/di...or---large.htm

 

Thanks doublea. I think I'm going to do that - invest in a really good mask. Lately (for intermittent use) I haven't been using any mask at all, as I didn't think for the exposure time it would do much.

The scary thing is, I kind of like the smell now of Varsol. Especially when you walk into a machine shop - you get that blast of varsol smell. Laquer Thinner not so much - to me it smells like danger so I hold my breath when using it.

 

It's a wise investment for your health.

Good luck.

AA

 

The saga continues

 

My next door neighbor as just diagnosed with bladder cancer...

They attribute it to years of restoring/working on cars and cleaning parts (and himself) in varsol and gasoline.. And he quit doing that 10 years ago.

Nasty stuff.

 

i'd like to think i've used a fair share of chemicals and whatnot in my day without a mask and i am fine so far...but then again, i'm only 19 and probably have loads of stuff just waiting to hit me later down the road.

Get a fan going at the very least...the more ventilation & airflow the better.....

edit: shoot, just noticed this thread is super old. my mistake.

 

Yeah.. you're just 19. wait until you're 59 and tell us if you think bathing in carcinogens when you were a kid was a good idea.

 

In your day?
You're 19.....it's not even your day yet!

 

Also remember to breath deep from your stomach, not from your upper chest. You get a fulller inhale like that. (yoga breaths), thats how I do when I do weed. gets me messed up real bad. j/k, or maybe not lol. But yea, i dont think ANY chemical is good to breath, try to do as much possible to not do so, mask, good ventilation(outdoor), etc...

 

Hopefully you're not using those paper rubber band masks for protection. If you have a half face silicone mask already, make sure it's the right size for your face. If it is, make sure it's adjusted properly and as mentioned, have the proper cartridges for it.

If any of these 3 things aren't in place, the other 2 won't matter....

 

most of the guys in my shop like to wear their mask on top of their head. i think it protects them from hair cancer.

 

yeah thats stuff will mess you up...........the isocyanates in it does damage to ur lungs and liver..........carefully handling lacquer thiner too, cause your skin can absorb it and it can mess up ur kidneys.........my boss yells at me all the time for it

 

As a kid I used to clean my hands with using lacquer thinner. As some of the other posters have said, keep in mind that not only are the vapors possibly hazardous, but it can also be absorbed through the skin. My friend who I worked with as a youth has liver problems today possibly to using lacquer thinner among other things. While I wouldn't put on a chem suit to get around it, as others have said, I would provide adequate ventilation and wear gloves.

Just my 0.02USD worth.