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| Issue 174 (June 2010) |
Words: Brian Skinner |
I feel it's my duty to educate my fellow RC brethren about the dangers of the chemicals we use to clean and maintain our vehicles. This not only pertains to RC, but to all things we do: working on cars, bikes, cleaning and painting at home, anything we do that involves chemicals. I used to ignore the possible problems from using chemicals, but a recent run-in with the doctor has prompted me to do this how-to on keeping you safe. This how-to is a little different; it's more about protecting you, and believe it or not I actually care for all you readers out there so please read this information and take it to heart—the body parts you save may be your own.
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HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
The human body is an amazing piece of machinery, but the protective coating (the epidermis) is not designed for major chemical exposure. Cells in the epidermis contain a structural matrix of keratin, which makes this outermost layer of the skin almost waterproof and protects the body from some naturally accruing chemicals—but it is no match against the onslaught of manmade chemicals. Here are some tips to help you keep the nasty stuff out of your body.
• Gloves: This is your best defense, since you use your hands to work with stuff. Rubber gloves, latex gloves, even mechanics' gloves protect your skin from absorbing harmful chemicals. If you are using watery type sprays, rubber or latex style gloves are best. If you're just wrenching, and parts are dirty with oil, then mechanics' gloves will do the trick; remember that they are a fabric and porous, so contact cleaners and such will pass through easily. It's not a bad idea to wash your hands after you're done to get any residue off—over time it can absorb into the body.
• Eye protection: Splash back and airborne particles can fly into your eyes, so some safety goggles or some sweet Oakleys will keep stuff out.
• Respirators: This may be over the top, but if you're doing major spray cleaning with chemicals or spray painting your car bodies, it might be a good idea to use one. They are available at most hardware stores. Realistically, the best thing to do is not inhale fumes so much and work downwind of the spray and in an open area so fumes dissipate quickly.
MR. KIDNEY SPEAKS
Most cleaners and oils we use not only for RC, but even household products contain chemicals that are potentially bad for us in large amounts and/or used over time. Here are just two examples out of many that you would think are fairly safe, but are potentially hazardous if you have long-term contact.
• Motor oil—Exposure to the hydrocarbons in motor oil can cause cancer. Many people are unaware that motor oil contains heavy metals, which can damage the nervous system and other organ systems.
• Scents—These are fragrances used for air fresheners and as a cover for foul-smelling cleaners and oils. They interfere with your ability to smell by releasing nerve-deadening agents or coating nasal passages with an oil film, usually methoxychlor, a pesticide that accumulates in fat cells. Formaldehyde is also used sometimes, and it's a highly toxic carcinogen. Another ingredient used is phenol; when it touches your skin it can cause it to swell, burn, peel and break out in hives.
As you can see, almost anything we use has side effects we need to be aware of. Did you know that since World War II, more than 80,000 synthetic chemicals have been invented? Amazingly, hardly any of these substances have been tested for safety, but have been added to our food, water and cleaning products.
HERE'S THE BOTTOM LINE
The modern world we work and play in is rife with chemical warfare, and we need to be aware of it. Like me, I bet most of you take for granted what we expose ourselves to, but in the long run it is harmful if we are not aware and watchful. Not to scare you, but I lost a kidney to cancer, and one of the leading causes of cancer is chemical exposure. I'm a '60s kid, and back then there was no education about this stuff—we just merrily played away in gasoline, cleaning parts and stuff, not knowing that down the road it would bite us in the butt. Today there's more awareness, but I still think we don't consider it much. Since I always bring new tools and products to you, I felt it is my duty to help educate our readers that the products we use, not only for RC, but for almost everything we touch these days has potential hazards if not treated with respect. Think of it this way: If we use a chainsaw, we treat it with respect because we know it can harm us. It's the same with chemicals: Read the label on the back, and if you see the skull and crossbones, you know to be careful; if you see words you can't pronounce, you know it has some potent stuff in it. We all need and use these products, and as long as you use them wisely, there won't be issues down the road!
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