Solvent Safety- Last post from me

[P3D Bill Davis <bd3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

John W Roberts, from Digest 2076:

>I think you just raised a point that had not been covered in the
>previous discussion - carcinogenic effects and flammability are only two 
>aspects of the safety of organic solvents. Also important are long term 
>effects on the nervous system, lungs, and other body organs, short term 
>effects such as headaches and intoxication, and possibly tendency to cause 
>addiction. 
>

>From my post in Digest 2074:
 
>They must be used in well-ventilated areas a long way
>from any source of spark or flames.  Breathing the concentrated vapors from
>any of them could lead to central nervous system depression or death.  They
>can be extremely irritating to the skin and eyes. 

I didn't cover long-term effects because the topic was an individual
cleaning their own shutter blades, which should be a one-time affair,
definitely short-term exposure. By recommending  well-ventilated areas I
tried to address and prevent inhalation side effects like headaches, not
just address the flammability issues. 

I didn't wish to inundate the list with pedantic recitations of Permissible
Exposure Limits, Threshold Limit Values, Teratology, Mutagenicity,
Ecotoxicology, etc., because 99% of those on the list don't really care how
much I know about a topic only marginally related to stereo photography. 

If anyone on the list does have a question regarding any toxicity issue
regarding chemicals or solvents, please contact me off list and I will do
what I can to provide you with the correct information.

Best regards,
Bill Davis
mailto:bd3d@xxxxxxxxxxxxx


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