| Long
term risks
Most of the long-term risks
are more dangerous than the list above because these risks are not always
very clear.
Allergic reactions to certain
chemicals and problems to the respiratory system due to over exposure to
chemicals. To realize what dangers we are talking about here you first
need to know some basic information:
Allergic reactions occur
when we come in contact with materials our body cannot really cope with.
Allergic reactions can display itself at the skin, like red spots and
even wounds in the long
term and as problems with the respiratory system. We are all common to
people being allergic to cats and dogs while Hayfever is also a typical
allergic reaction.
It is a fact that you can
usually withstand a lot of contact with a material you’re in fact allergic
to, without having any trouble at all. But when you finally reached the
point where your body starts “over” reacting to contact with a chemical
it will hardly ever go away.
Allergies - You can
develop an allergy for solvents and thinners and also resin, more precise
Polyurethane Resin is a chemical that can give very strong allergic attacks.
As mentioned before a Dutch modeler was hospitalized for about 10 days
with severe nosebleeds, and big problems to his respiratory system. He
was working with Polyurethane Resin when the problems started. The dust
from sanding some parts did the job. Therefore it is essential that you
try to minimize the amount of dust you inhale when sanding, sawing and
cutting plastics. The easiest way is to wear a safety mask, use wet sandpaper
and clean up the workbench as often as possible. Also be sure not to eat,
drink or smoke while working with these plastics.
Brain damage caused by
over exposure to solvents - This may sound very dramatic but it doesn’t
have to be. More and more literature about a disease called OPS is now
available and it is now clear that this disease is caused by minute brain
damage due to years and years of working with solvents. In Holland the
disease is called “Painters Disease” because this is one of the labour
groups that frequently show the effects of this disease. These effects
are: sudden mood changes, loss of concentration and feeling tired and numb.
Although most modelers don’t
use large amounts of the thinners and solvents that may inflict people,
they do often work in ill-ventilated areas and very close to their faces;
in fact usually they are sitting right above the fumes and vapors. These
solvents are to be found in many paints, glues and putties. Some solvents
are also possible carcinogens, which mean they may increase the risk for
developing cancer. I will give you a short list of chemicals commonly used
by many modelers with their risks for your health.
Acetone - Used for
gluing and cleaning airbrushes and brushes: Solvent, danger for OPS
AcrylCyanoate or Super
glue - Suspected fumes and also dangerous for the eyes, it glues flesh
together
Acrylic Paints - safest
paint to use, low in fumes and solvents, often alcohol based
Benzene - Used for
cleaning airbrushes, Solvent, risk for OPS and carcinogens
Caustic Soda - sometimes
used for stripping paint of models, can give you severe burns and can cause
blindness when the solution is too strong
Enamel paints - paints
based on oils, their thinners are the most risky components.
Epoxy Putties - like
Zimm-it-rite and Miliput - Can cause skin and eye irritation, harmful when
swallowed
MEK - Solvent used
for cleaning airbrushes and gluing plastics: OPS and suspected of having
carcinogens
Pigments in paint
- Some of the pigments in paints are based on oxidized metals like Cadmium
and Titanium. A Dutch beer brewery (Heineken) had to destroy all of their
yellow crates a few years back because of the Cadmium Yellow pigments in
the plastics. As this cost them millions you can understand they didn't
do this voluntarily.
Polystyrene glue -
Often Toluene based solvent with OPS risk and suspected of having carcinogens
Polyurethane Resin plastic
- the dust is the most dangerous, because it can enter your respiratory
system.
Polyester - very harmful
vapors will occur during the curing process.
Primer paints - Often
from a spray can, lots of unhealthy vapors and pigments.
Silicone Rubber Compounds
- Can cause skin and eye irritation
Soldering lead - The
fumes are not very healthy, lead is poisoning also. |
