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MEK Side effects
- Thread starter joedallas
- Start date
MEK is very hazardous to your health if you read the label.
I used to work for an aircraft manufacturing company that bought it in 55 gal drums and they banned it and went to something else.
I would use some thing else that doesn't bother you and follow the directions on the label.
I used to work for an aircraft manufacturing company that bought it in 55 gal drums and they banned it and went to something else.
I would use some thing else that doesn't bother you and follow the directions on the label.
brad walton
Well Known Member
PPE personal protective equipment is mandatory. Protect yourself from skin absorption as well as inhalation. You need good gloves that don't break down from MEK or other solvents and a respirator designed for this exposure. Listen to what your body has told you.
1001001
Well Known Member
MEK, along with many of the other industrial chemicals we use in this hobby, is classified as a hazardous substance, both for health and flammability reasons. This includes solvents, paints and primers, etchants, lubricants, hydraulic fluids, fuels, etc. As a chemical engineer, I have spent my career working with these types of materials and can tell you that the health implications are no joke. Please read the SDS provided with any chemical you find yourself using, and follow the PPE recommendations.
Not everyone's body reacts the same way with acute noticable symptoms, so even if you do not experience them, you could be setting yourself up for serious chronic effects later in life if you don't take appropriate precautions.
If you haven't received an SDS with the chemical, please take the time to look it up on the internet.
Here is a representative SDS for MEK.
http://www.jasco-help.com/uploads/general/Jasco_MEK_CJME71_GJME71_GJME180_MSDS.pdf
Not everyone's body reacts the same way with acute noticable symptoms, so even if you do not experience them, you could be setting yourself up for serious chronic effects later in life if you don't take appropriate precautions.
If you haven't received an SDS with the chemical, please take the time to look it up on the internet.
Here is a representative SDS for MEK.
http://www.jasco-help.com/uploads/general/Jasco_MEK_CJME71_GJME71_GJME180_MSDS.pdf
I was diagnosed with 'non-infectious hepatitis' after getting MEK all over my hands while cleaning a special filter. I had been sick for a week or more.
The doctor says it's common for people who work with dry cleaning laundry. Who knew?
Stoddard solvent and acetone are much safer.
I avoid MEK now, and find Acetone will do the job most of the time.
Acetone is a human byproduct. Acetone Breath is a condition of diabetes.
Because humans naturally expel acitone, I think it won't be (as) harmful in limited exposure.
The doctor says it's common for people who work with dry cleaning laundry. Who knew?
Stoddard solvent and acetone are much safer.
I avoid MEK now, and find Acetone will do the job most of the time.
Acetone is a human byproduct. Acetone Breath is a condition of diabetes.
Because humans naturally expel acitone, I think it won't be (as) harmful in limited exposure.
Scott, I think you nailed it. They call it Methyl,Ethel,Death for a reason.May not be a bad time to check in with GP and a little blood work.IMHO
RFSchaller
Well Known Member
I use it occasionally to remove epoxy, but I like acetone or alcohol much better. I find that alcohol will do the cleaning job 90% of the time.
The first time I encountered MEK was when I was covering a Searey in Poly Fiber. It's an amazing solvent, but really nasty!
The first time I encountered MEK was when I was covering a Searey in Poly Fiber. It's an amazing solvent, but really nasty!
In addition to all of the above, MEK is great at removing grease/oil/fats. Your brain is mostly fat. Years ago I did research on the effects of drugs of abuse on the brain. Kids who sniffed paint/glue/solvents had significant areas of lost brain tissue that will never recover.
Re the previous post about diabetes and acetone, the chemical in diabetes is actually ketone; similar but not identical.
Re the previous post about diabetes and acetone, the chemical in diabetes is actually ketone; similar but not identical.
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chris mitchell
Well Known Member
Actually it's ketone bodies that excreted - acetoacetate, beta-hydroxybutyrate and acetone. Just have to sniff a patients breath!
MEK is also an anesthetic.
Nasty stuff; beware!
Chris
MEK is also an anesthetic.
Nasty stuff; beware!
Chris
rapid_ascent
Well Known Member
Lacquer thinner seems to work on most items so I only use MEK for a few things. MEK is a great solvent but a nasty chemical. I typically use HF Nirile gloves and MEK destroys those very quickly. Even Lacquer thinner will eventually break them down but generally they seem to work well enough.
DonFromTX
Well Known Member
LettersFromFlyoverCountry
Well Known Member
The best part about completing building is I had an airplane. The second-best part is I don't have to use MEK anymore.
DaleB
Well Known Member
Brian is absolutely right. Maybe you've never used PPE when working with solvents before, but you've probably never used them in this kind of quantity and frequency before either. I know I used more MEK in two years of building than I used in the preceding twenty.
I've been using various solvents since I was a little kid. Dad and I built a lot of model airplanes, and I still love the smell of butyrate dope. In the late 70s and 80s I worked with some pretty nasty stuff while working on mainframe computers... we'd regularly use Trichlorotrifluoroethane for cleaning and degreasing. No one ever thought to take any protective measures other than leaving the room before you passed out. Heaven only knows how much long term damage I and my former coworkers will be dealing with as a result.
We're older and hopefully wiser now. I use solvents as sparingly as I can, make sure there is plenty of ventilation, and I buy nitrile gloves by the box, and use two pair for solvents that I know will eat through them quickly. I bought heavy duty butyl gloves for working with alodine. I keep a mask with organic chemical filters handy, and use it often. I encourage others to do the same, preferably starting at a younger age.
I've been using various solvents since I was a little kid. Dad and I built a lot of model airplanes, and I still love the smell of butyrate dope. In the late 70s and 80s I worked with some pretty nasty stuff while working on mainframe computers... we'd regularly use Trichlorotrifluoroethane for cleaning and degreasing. No one ever thought to take any protective measures other than leaving the room before you passed out. Heaven only knows how much long term damage I and my former coworkers will be dealing with as a result.
We're older and hopefully wiser now. I use solvents as sparingly as I can, make sure there is plenty of ventilation, and I buy nitrile gloves by the box, and use two pair for solvents that I know will eat through them quickly. I bought heavy duty butyl gloves for working with alodine. I keep a mask with organic chemical filters handy, and use it often. I encourage others to do the same, preferably starting at a younger age.
A better alternative solvent for cleaning parts for tank sealant or painting is Naptha (AKA Coleman fuel).
It dries quickly with no residue. Is less toxic than MEK (but PPE should still be used).
It is basically what you get in the can when you by paint prep solvent such as PPG DX330, etc.
It dries quickly with no residue. Is less toxic than MEK (but PPE should still be used).
It is basically what you get in the can when you by paint prep solvent such as PPG DX330, etc.
Remember that these chemicals can do nasty things to eyes as well as hands and lungs. My reader glasses provide small protection against splashes, so I wear a face shield like this: http://www.amazon.com/3M-Protection...8&qid=1460462425&sr=8-2&keywords=face+shields.
Joe,
Not trying to alarm you and I'm not an MD, but I did work in chem mfg industry quite a while. You might consider visiting your primary care doc and asking for a physical with a blood workup (look at liver function). I know that's likely not related to lung irritation, but I think liver impact when over exposed to VOCs and solvents. MEK and related materials enter your body/blood through your skin, as well as lungs. Your liver then takes the hit.
Best wishes.
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David-aviator
Well Known Member
I have been taking a small pill for about 20 years, 125mcg levothyroxine, and will do so the rest of my life to replace what was produced by the thyroid gland.
The thyroid enlarged about 5 times and went retrosternal whatever that means, docs thought it was cancer, and it had to be removed. Turns out it was not cancer, cause unknown.
I know what caused it, same thing happened to another builder at the time. Breathing fumes of the stuff we use to build is hazardous to your health, just like flying.
The thyroid enlarged about 5 times and went retrosternal whatever that means, docs thought it was cancer, and it had to be removed. Turns out it was not cancer, cause unknown.
I know what caused it, same thing happened to another builder at the time. Breathing fumes of the stuff we use to build is hazardous to your health, just like flying.
rmartingt
Well Known Member
I learned to respect MEK after my dad's nose started bleeding profusely at Thanksgiving dinner
He had spent a couple of days cleaning parts before paint and was using MEK without a respirator. We switched to naphtha after that.
I used MEK on my fuel tanks and in select other areas, but only with an organic vapor respirator, layers of gloves, and lots of fresh air and ventilation. It's nasty stuff. Mostly I use naphtha.
He had spent a couple of days cleaning parts before paint and was using MEK without a respirator. We switched to naphtha after that.
I used MEK on my fuel tanks and in select other areas, but only with an organic vapor respirator, layers of gloves, and lots of fresh air and ventilation. It's nasty stuff. Mostly I use naphtha.
grubbat
Well Known Member
Health
We airplane builders dream of the day we are able to finish our projects and finally taste the sweetness of flying our creation. I remember back in the 80's when so many builders were stopped in their tracks by epoxy overexposure and subsequent intolerance. It's bad enough that many of us will face medical issues beyond our control that will sooner rather than later end our aviation hobby. An even more bitter pill is having medical issues that could have been prevented just by spending a little time and money on PPE. Several of my aircraft mechanic friends of my past are in the grave now and I believe ignoring safety measures when handling industrial aviation chemicals were contributing factors. Go The extra mile and take care of your self. I want you to enjoy your build. You will be glad you did.
Best wishes!
We airplane builders dream of the day we are able to finish our projects and finally taste the sweetness of flying our creation. I remember back in the 80's when so many builders were stopped in their tracks by epoxy overexposure and subsequent intolerance. It's bad enough that many of us will face medical issues beyond our control that will sooner rather than later end our aviation hobby. An even more bitter pill is having medical issues that could have been prevented just by spending a little time and money on PPE. Several of my aircraft mechanic friends of my past are in the grave now and I believe ignoring safety measures when handling industrial aviation chemicals were contributing factors. Go The extra mile and take care of your self. I want you to enjoy your build. You will be glad you did.
Best wishes!
bret
Well Known Member
How are you feeling Joe, I hope you did not have your hands in this stuff, your skin will be like a sponge directly to your blood stream, and go all around your body with it in direct contact with all the sensitive parts inside you. poor it on a nitrile glove and see what it does to it, bad stuff, Please take the suggestion above and get some blood work done. I hope you are feeling better. I picked a career that I thought would be fun turning wrenches but three decades and counting has started to take its toll on this body, these chemicals are great tools but PPE is critical! I got laughed at when I started wearing blue Nitrile gloves back in the 80s but I'm sure it has contributed to keeping my organs function thus far.......
olderthandirt
Well Known Member
Older than dirt
In old days we washed parts in Carbon Tetrachloride...up to our elbows...then I sprayed paint at Boeings with Cyoanocrylate...the people are put to death with in prison...now we worry about Lead in water...hmmm...I am 73 and **** glad to be alive...but when it comes it comes and I will be with my maker and happy......Dick
In old days we washed parts in Carbon Tetrachloride...up to our elbows...then I sprayed paint at Boeings with Cyoanocrylate...the people are put to death with in prison...now we worry about Lead in water...hmmm...I am 73 and **** glad to be alive...but when it comes it comes and I will be with my maker and happy......Dick
XOverZero
Well Known Member
Interesting reading in this thread. My war story (x3), and hoping someone can benefit from it?
Decades ago I built surfboards, boats and other aquatic toystuff made with polyester fiberglass. Had not a clue about acetone, we nearly bathed in it. One day I came within a wink of passing out while painting the bilge of a boat with Zolatone, which is cut 50/50 with acetone. Ended up a week later with a case of pneumonia that almost killed me. I was 20. Like David-Aviator, I take meds every day now. Is there a direct connection? Who knows? Better question is, who?d want to find out? Often as not, the only way to know where ?The Line? is, is to cross it. Knowing there is one and failing to respect it?well, you don?t want to say been there, dumb that ? dumb with a capital Duh.
During Desert Shield/Storm, I was with a company that built all varieties of military radomes. Our most commonly used degreaser was 1,1,1 trichloroethane, also a lot of MEK. Both are now illegal in Cali but weren?t then. Standard practice was to use a vapor respirator and two pairs of latex gloves. More times than I can remember I peeled off the outer pair only to find that an inner glove was wet. I still double glove today. Rips and pinholes happen...plan for it. And get good ones. Cheapies that tear when you look at them wrong give you a false sense of security. When the enemy is shooting at you, would you rather take cover behind a bush, or a wall?
Naphtha has been discussed. Better but still requires protection. Ten years ago an acquaintance who made custom acoustic guitars for over 25 years came down with a mysterious and debilitating sickness that was akin to sepsis in its symptoms and seriousness. It rendered him so weak he couldn?t walk more than a dozen steps. He too, nearly died. It was finally proven to be a cumulative toxic buildup from his long-term continual exposure to naphtha. He recovered but no longer pursues luthiery.
To put it the simplest way, let?s just suit up, guys. We don?t know where the line is.
Decades ago I built surfboards, boats and other aquatic toystuff made with polyester fiberglass. Had not a clue about acetone, we nearly bathed in it. One day I came within a wink of passing out while painting the bilge of a boat with Zolatone, which is cut 50/50 with acetone. Ended up a week later with a case of pneumonia that almost killed me. I was 20. Like David-Aviator, I take meds every day now. Is there a direct connection? Who knows? Better question is, who?d want to find out? Often as not, the only way to know where ?The Line? is, is to cross it. Knowing there is one and failing to respect it?well, you don?t want to say been there, dumb that ? dumb with a capital Duh.
During Desert Shield/Storm, I was with a company that built all varieties of military radomes. Our most commonly used degreaser was 1,1,1 trichloroethane, also a lot of MEK. Both are now illegal in Cali but weren?t then. Standard practice was to use a vapor respirator and two pairs of latex gloves. More times than I can remember I peeled off the outer pair only to find that an inner glove was wet. I still double glove today. Rips and pinholes happen...plan for it. And get good ones. Cheapies that tear when you look at them wrong give you a false sense of security. When the enemy is shooting at you, would you rather take cover behind a bush, or a wall?
Naphtha has been discussed. Better but still requires protection. Ten years ago an acquaintance who made custom acoustic guitars for over 25 years came down with a mysterious and debilitating sickness that was akin to sepsis in its symptoms and seriousness. It rendered him so weak he couldn?t walk more than a dozen steps. He too, nearly died. It was finally proven to be a cumulative toxic buildup from his long-term continual exposure to naphtha. He recovered but no longer pursues luthiery.
To put it the simplest way, let?s just suit up, guys. We don?t know where the line is.
Cyoanocrylate is the ingredient in super glues. Did you mean to say Isocyanates? Isocyanates are in two-part epoxy and polyurethane paints.
bret
Well Known Member
Might as well get it all out there just incase no one has heard of these things before, like above, the ISOs in paint are a potential killer, (sensitizer), I was doing some research on the auto painting Forums for my paint and one story I read about a guy painting his car in his garage with no protection, found dead on the floor. Everyone is different, some can bath in solvent, and the next person can have a one time allergic reaction and thats it.......
jetjok
Well Known Member
+1 to the List
***This thread needs to be moved to a more general forum, as it is applicable to more than just RV-12's!
[thread moved to "Safety"; S. Buchanan]
Many years ago, I too, used to use MEK as an "every day' cleaner to remove crusty deposits of 5606, grease, glue, etc. During a routine physical, I received some unfavorable results to some blood work. Many visits to a specialist ensued, including many tests and even a biopsy. What was discovered was that while there were some damage, it was not progressing as it would if there was a disease.
Later on, I was at a fabric covering seminar and the presenter lectured us about the adverse effects of exposure to MEK. I gathered data, and took it to my specialist (Dept. Chair at a major university hospital). He reviewed what I had presented, and did more research into what my symptoms were. He diagnosed that my condition was caused by long term exposure to MEK!
I still have to use it once in a while on my fabric work. But, I use a good respirator and "glove up" as best as possible.
Has anyone identified the best possible gloves for using MEK? I have called many glove manufacturers, paint and chemical dealers, and have never gotten a definitive answer.
***This thread needs to be moved to a more general forum, as it is applicable to more than just RV-12's!
[thread moved to "Safety"; S. Buchanan]
Many years ago, I too, used to use MEK as an "every day' cleaner to remove crusty deposits of 5606, grease, glue, etc. During a routine physical, I received some unfavorable results to some blood work. Many visits to a specialist ensued, including many tests and even a biopsy. What was discovered was that while there were some damage, it was not progressing as it would if there was a disease.
Later on, I was at a fabric covering seminar and the presenter lectured us about the adverse effects of exposure to MEK. I gathered data, and took it to my specialist (Dept. Chair at a major university hospital). He reviewed what I had presented, and did more research into what my symptoms were. He diagnosed that my condition was caused by long term exposure to MEK!
I still have to use it once in a while on my fabric work. But, I use a good respirator and "glove up" as best as possible.
Has anyone identified the best possible gloves for using MEK? I have called many glove manufacturers, paint and chemical dealers, and have never gotten a definitive answer.
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fl-mike
Well Known Member
I use Butyl for MEK and lacquer thinner, and Nitrile for Etch and Alodine (phosphoric acid and chromic acid) (and those are elbow length, plus an apron). For quick small jobs I'll grab the disposable Nitrile exam gloves with the knowledge that they will not last long.
There are some websites that will help you select based on the solvent you're using. Here is one:
http://www.aps.anl.gov/Safety_and_Training/User_Safety/gloveselection.html
jetjok
Well Known Member
Muchas Gracias, Sam!
jetjok
Well Known Member
From the data posted on this site, it appears that the effectiveness is as follows:
Butyl - Very Good
Neoprene
or - Good
Natural Latex
Nitrile - Poor
Note: All are denoted as "Limited Service", so it is best to do whatcha' have to, and then get them off.
