WARNING! Read This if You Use a Welder

[warden]

I know brew dude, and he attended sturgis that year with us. He was there only one day and then had to leave due to the illness. We thought we'd lost a good fellow builder...fortunately he was wise in getting to hospital in time....

[R.L.]

Thanks

[TheCustomFactory]

They used to use phosgene in chemical warfare. Nasty stuff.

[Eddie H.]

Phosgene gas was used as a chemical weapon in WW1. It is also created when refrigerant is exposed to heat or open flame. Back in the old days we used to just vent the refrigerant into the air when working on AC systems. ( Before recovery systems were mandated by law) One guy got deathly sick just from smoking a cigarette in the area where he was venting freon into the air.

[mbgmike]

Yes it was. I have been in the mfg of it. We made it at Dow and GE. It is used in making plastics. I personally have worn full SCBA gear in rooms filled with 100% phosgene and 0 oxygen. you get used to it after the first time.

[ETsC10]

Thanks guys for bringing this old thread to the top.
I'll see if we can get it to migrate elsewhere.

Must admit that I have tended to think brake cleaner to
be safer than carb cleaner. Not. Thanks for the heads up!

[lyrikz]

Originally Posted by ETsC10

Thanks guys for bringing this old thread to the top.
I'll see if we can get it to migrate elsewhere.

Must admit that I have tended to think brake cleaner to
be safer than carb cleaner. Not. Thanks for the heads up!

Wow, i stumbled upon this when i was searching ETsC10 posts looking for when the next swap meet was.

Yesterday i was working on my new project.
Fatty Mc Chub Chub

Its my wifes car. Anyways, i made a patch panel for it, and before i welded i sprayed it off with brake clean and then started welding. When i weld, i sometimes hold my breath because i dont like the smell. well, i take a big breath and start welding and hit a spot of brake clean. I continue on with no issues. Later that night my left hand wont stop twitching. Sunday it was better.
I could of EASILY ended up like that dude if i didnt hold my breath like an idiot when i weld.... I had NO idea this stuff was so nasty.

pass this on.

[GASoline71]

Holy Schnikies!

Gary

[C-10cutty]

A real eye opener.

I never use brake cleaner myself, just carb, but I've a good friend I need to alert to the hazard.

[bigsnookmaster]

Originally Posted by lyrikz

Wow, i stumbled upon this when i was searching ETsC10 posts looking for when the next swap meet was.

Yesterday i was working on my new project.
Fatty Mc Chub Chub

Its my wifes car. Anyways, i made a patch panel for it, and before i welded i sprayed it off with brake clean and then started welding. When i weld, i sometimes hold my breath because i dont like the smell. well, i take a big breath and start welding and hit a spot of brake clean. I continue on with no issues. Later that night my left hand wont stop twitching. Sunday it was better.
I could of EASILY ended up like that dude if i didnt hold my breath like an idiot when i weld.... I had NO idea this stuff was so nasty.

pass this on.

I tend to hold my breath too! I always use laquer thinner, or mineral spirits to clean before I weld new steel. Good info here!

[jjzepplin]

This should pm'd to all members!

[vtblazer]

Bump cause this **** is good info to know!

[ERASER5]

Any CFC type products will do this. Sucking on a cigarette while working on your AC system is a BIG NO NO. You think inhaling tar and nicotine is bad, throw in a little phosgene gas for more kick.

[Hewfil1]

I always knew CFC Brakeleen was some serious stuff, but this, Dang!

Knew a guy who rebuilt transmissions and used the Brakeleen on everything. Can't even build anymore because he so much as picks up a wrench and he'll bust his hand. Doctors told him the stuff ate holes in his bones.