Xylene (Additive F)

General Discussion
1

Is it carcinongenic? Or do I not need a respirator when working with it.

2

Hey Deanbo,

I wear one when using it. Even at such small amounts. smells pretty bad.

Whether it is harmful to cell DNA I dont know, but I guess I’ll find out in the future.

As an apprentice I used to wash electric motor parts in the stuff with a hose and a massive tray with about 100L in it. No masks, no gloves not even goggles.

Apart from having skin on my hands that looks like elephant hide i’m still breathing.

Tarp up with all solvents.

Daren.

3

Thanks Entity.

4

Any time you’re in doubt about a product just google the name of the product and “MSDS” materials safety data sheet.

http://www.med-chem.com/MSDS/134B.pdf

You’re in luck. Xylene can cause headache, dizziness, stupor, coma and death…but it’s not carcinogenic.

5
Quote:

You’re in luck. Xylene can cause headache, dizziness, stupor, coma and death…but it’s not carcinogenic.

So that’s what’s wrong with me. At least my cancer wont be from that stuff.

6

…lol…thanks,I needed that.

Herb

7

An elderly gent visits his doctor and undergoes a variety of tests… the results have arrived and the two are in meeting.

Dr: Sir, I’m sorry to tell you that you have Cancer.

Elderly Gent: Oh dear!

Dr: I’m also sorry to tell you that you have Alzheimer’s Disease.

Elderly Gent: Thank God… I was afraid I might have Cancer!

8

I’m laughing at that, John…what was the joke again ?

lol.

Herb

9

There are hundereds of industrial slovents on the market and a scant few that are deemed “safe” enough to sell to the general public. Denatured alcohol, acetone, MEK and xylene. We formulated Add F using xylene as the base because as solvents go it pretty reasonable stuff. It’s used in all kinds of paints and inks and is the solvent in magic markers. We use Additive F at 1% in resin and while it has some smell the toxicity at 1% is pretty low. Consider styrene (which is much more toxic and IS a carcinogen) in polyester resin is 35%. With all industrial chemicals it’s a good thing to take precautions. With Add F wear a mask or work in well ventilated areas.

10

Thanks Greg.

11

it seems counterintuitive that the solvent I use to clean my brushes can

be safely added to my epoxy (at low volumes) to achieve some benefits.

this is good news though, as I’ve always worried that trace amounts of

xylene left on my brush would somehow corrupt my sanding/gloss coats.

…now how about a UV cure epoxy!?