CAUTION: FLAMMABLE, VAPOR HARMFUL, WARNING: This product contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Read cautions on back.
CAUSE CANCER??? [:0] Jesus… is this thing really that harmful?
The vapor IS strong as hell, kinda gave me a headache working with it for a couple of hours. Do I have anything to worry about? I mean, I love this hobby, but to get cancer and have deform children because of this really that worth it?
Heh I know I may be exagerating bit, but I am a bit concerned. Are all liquid cement as harmful as this one? Or is it some kind of “newbie paranoia”?
Hmm, I could see you being concerned if you were constantly exposed to the stuff, or were silly enough to not wash your hands after using anything associated with our hobby before eating. Common sense rules the day, and remember: anything can cause cancer. [;)]
WARNING: The State of California has determined that LIFE causes cancer!
Seriously, as long as you work in a well ventilated room and keep your exposure to less than, oh, about 12 hours per day, you should be fine. That warning label is a standard warning for anything that causes cancer in rats when they bathe in the chemicals everyday.
I don’t think that you are going to get Him to respond to this thread…
Actually, the MM liquid glue you are referring to is one of the safest on the market. Its primary ingredient, if I remember correctly is methyl ethyl ketone (MEK). While MEK does have narcotic effects associated with acute overexposures (dizziness, headache, etc.) there are no long-term health effects (such as cancer) associated with this material. In addition, it has never been shown to have mutagenic effects on sperm or egg, or teratogenic effects on developing fetuses. It is a respiratory irritant, and can de-fat the skin (as is the characteristic of most organic solvents).
Based on the frequency, duration, and amounts of this stuff used at any one time, overexposures should not occur.
However, a couple things you can do (which have already been mentioned):
Maintain good ventilation in your workroom. Keep a small fan blowing toward your back; crack a window to allow for a little fresh air. If you have a ceiling fan, keep it on.
Keep your nose out of the stuff. We (at least I do) have a tendency to get right down on our work. My face (i.e. my breathing zone) is probably within about 6-10 inches when working with plastic–until I start gluing, and I back off.
Use minimal amounts to get the job done. Don’t use the brush that comes in the bottle. Get yourself a good 1/0 round brush, and allow capillary action to pull glue into seams, etc.
Common sense is authorized: Put the cap on when not using the glue. Keep the glue out of your breathing zone when not in use. While waiting for a piece to set up, go get something to eat or drink. Avoid setting the bottle under any high intensity lights or other heat sources that may cause it to evaporate more quickly.
Don’t read too much into the California labeling requirement. In most instances, the proposition that started and maintains the whole thing becomes rather nonsensical at times.
Well, if the above is not the definitive answer, I don’t know what is.
Seriously, unless you do something stupid like drink the stuff or inhale very deep to suck in all the fumes, I don’t think you have too much to worry about.
Nobody has believed me yet, but when I show them, they are converted.
Try Micro Scale’s Micro-Weld glue. It’s a liquid non-toxic glue. It takes a bit longer (about 15-30 seconds) to glue styrene together, but it does a nicely welded joint.
No, this isn’t the blue testors tube glue. Don’t confuse them together, and don’t think because it says ‘non-toxic’ that it doesn’t work. I’ve got a Fine Molds TiE fighter right here that was put together solely with this stuff. Works just like Tamiya extra thin or Tenax.
I’m more worried about CA to tell you the truth…lol Like Styrene, I get my face right in my work, and that stuff packs a sting that keeps ya from being overexposed. Your eyes water so you can’t see the parts you are trying to glue together, and usually end up with your fingers glued instead!! [:D] If they ever need my fingerprints, I should just hand them one of my practice models!!! lol