Thread: Allergic to CA?

Originally Posted by Paul B

...I get a runny nose about six hours after exposure, I mean really really runny. I've gone through a box of tissues in about four hours, and have to sleep with them stuffed up my nose. It's not pretty. Then I have flu like symptoms for about three or four days afterwards.

It's bloody nasty stuff.

Actually, that is almost identical...

I am VERY glad that I sorted out what it was. I had blamed all kinds of other things as it only happened AFTER I had left the shed. Everyone was blaming the woodworking but I told them that was silly because I couldn't see the correlation, but now I can (shhhh - don't tell them or they will tease me about it for years...)

Cam

2 thoughts:

Firstly, I'd be careful when working with wood that has had a large quantity of CA soaked into it - there could still be either un-reacted CA or by-products like cyanide compounds still trapped in the wood that will be released when you cut into them.

Secondly, the standard Triton helmet comes with bog standard dust filters. If you want to use it in an environment with other goodies in it, like paint, solvents or 'interesting' gasses, then you need to fit a different set of filter cartridges inside the orange box. Cyanide should be no special problem, as some of the 2 pack auto paints also outgas cyanide gasses when applied, so standard sized filters rated for such use are made and hopefully stocked.

Thanks mate, but I don't think that the Triton Helmet works for gases - ie it is dust tight, but not gas tight...

Cheers

Cam

Dentists used to use a product call aron alpha (sp), similar characteristics to CA but without the side effects (It was used for sticking broken teeth back together).
Wander into your medical supply house in Hobart (there is one, just can't remember what it's called) and see if they have any.
Being a medical product though I doubt it will bear the same price tag as CA.

Great idea.

What about accelerator? I assume that the accelerator would be toxic as well - although maybe this medical one has its own.

Cheers

Cam

Originally Posted by CameronPotter

Thanks mate, but I don't think that the Triton Helmet works for gases - ie it is dust tight, but not gas tight...

Cheers

Cam

You might be right - but, the Triton works by creating a positive pressure - that's what should keep the dust and the gas out - as long as the filters on the intake take out the gas. The standards ones won't, but replacements that do, may be available.

jas

Interesting idea...

It might work, but then I have a gas mask now so I think that I will stick to that.

Cam

Cameron
Check your MSDS, CA glues don't necessarily give off a cyanide gas (no such thing) but maybe a derivative of ie hydrogen cyanide or something similar. You need to be very specific as many of these chemicals in this group cannot be adequately controlled by use of a "gas" type respirator cartridge which relys solely on absorption of the chemical by way of an actvated carbon component. You can't filter out a gas like you can with a dust particle.

The Triton respirator whilst adeqate for dust particles, I dont believe is capable of use with other contaminants - no alternative cartridges available. If you are sentitive to this type of gas then abstination or supplied air equipment may be your only options.

Thanks.

I will check up on this. I won't be using the triton for the gas work anyway - however, it does take standard cigweld or protector filter inserts.

As for what filter I got, it was the pesticide grade filter and it seems to be able to filter out what is required. I will give it a go and if I get sick - I will know that CA is not on my list of useable tools...

I should have also said that I had the same reaction when I wore an appropriate respirator. Getting the fumes in my eyes seems to have the same effect as breathing the crap in. Or maybe it's not about breathing it in at all, might just be absorbing it through the mucous membranes around my eyes.

Oh, and I ran across a fellow over in the states who gets the exact same reaction to CA.

Ahhh. I see. I haven't tried the respirator yet so it may not work for me either. I'll give it a go and give up if it doesn't work this time.

Cheers

Cam

Tried the respirator and it worked. Yay!

I feel OK today. That said, it is still nasty stuff which I will avoid where possible now.

Cam

Originally Posted by Iain

Dentists used to use a product call aron alpha (sp), similar characteristics to CA but without the side effects (It was used for sticking broken teeth back together).
Wander into your medical supply house in Hobart (there is one, just can't remember what it's called) and see if they have any.
Being a medical product though I doubt it will bear the same price tag as CA.

Someone once told me Cyano glue was originally developed for surgical use during the Vietnam war.

Pretty sure it was around before that.