New check gauges have strong chemical smell (TCE?)

[schnuer]

A little bit of the alarmist in me coming out again at work, but we have received some more gauges from a toolmaker that have a strong chemical smell, perhaps some degreaser/rust inhibitor.

I can't be sure but it resembles the smell of TCE (Trichloroethylene), which was used at another place of work of mine. I recall this chemical being a hazardous substance and if present at a workplace in liquid form it must be recorded in the MSDS sheets of the plant. How about if it exists as a residue on a gauge? Should I be raising a stir about more PPE, ie. gloves, face shields?

If it is indeed TCE, does anyone have experience or knowledge of the exposure risk to humans if I can definitely smell it on the equipment? Some employees sit right beside these gauges and work closely with them throughout their shift. (Fortunately there are fans blowing in the area.)

Thanks,

[Stijloor]

Originally Posted by schnuer

A little bit of the alarmist in me coming out again at work, but we have received some more gauges from a toolmaker that have a strong chemical smell, perhaps some degreaser/rust inhibitor.

I can't be sure but it resembles the smell of TCE (Trichloroethylene), which was used at another place of work of mine. I recall this chemical being a hazardous substance and if present at a workplace in liquid form it must be recorded in the MSDS sheets of the plant. How about if it exists as a residue on a gauge? Should I be raising a stir about more PPE, ie. gloves, face shields?

If it is indeed TCE, does anyone have experience or knowledge of the exposure risk to humans if I can definitely smell it on the equipment? Some employees sit right beside these gauges and work closely with them throughout their shift. (Fortunately there are fans blowing in the area.)

Thanks,

Have you asked the Tool Maker Company what material they use to prevent corrosion of tools/gages? I have seen rust inhibitors used that had a strong smell, but I never questioned the chemical composition... In this day and age; that may be indeed a good question to ask.

Stijloor.

[Wes Bucey]

Originally Posted by schnuer

A little bit of the alarmist in me coming out again at work, but we have received some more gauges from a toolmaker that have a strong chemical smell, perhaps some degreaser/rust inhibitor.

I can't be sure but it resembles the smell of TCE (Trichloroethylene), which was used at another place of work of mine. I recall this chemical being a hazardous substance and if present at a workplace in liquid form it must be recorded in the MSDS sheets of the plant. How about if it exists as a residue on a gauge? Should I be raising a stir about more PPE, ie. gloves, face shields?

If it is indeed TCE, does anyone have experience or knowledge of the exposure risk to humans if I can definitely smell it on the equipment? Some employees sit right beside these gauges and work closely with them throughout their shift. (Fortunately there are fans blowing in the area.)

Thanks,

Franky, the residue left on tooling and products after using trichlor for degreasing is insignificant compared with the exposure to incidental fumes and physical contact during degreasing processes. From the 70's through the 90's, most machining companies using trichlor (ethane or ethylene) were using it in closed systems to reduce worker exposure (and waste of the product!) Few US companies still use trichlor.

Both -ethane and -ethylene are relatively low volatility and will evaporate and dissipate when exposed to air.

It is good to be concerned, though! Call the supplier and establish what EXACT product was used, accompanied by the MSDS and follow the precautions listed. My guess is the concentration of the substance (whatever it is) will be too low to be of concern for your workers.

Because I'm an old guy, I remember grade school and high school science classes where we "played " with carbon tetrachloride and raw mercury without protective gloves, masks, respirators. WE students had little real exposure, but those teachers had been playing with the stuff for years and years without protective gear. I wonder if there has ever been a study to correlate cancers and other known effects of chemicals with science teachers from that era?

[SteelMaiden]

Originally Posted by Wes Bucey

Because I'm an old guy, I remember grade school and high school science classes where we "played " with carbon tetrachloride and raw mercury without protective gloves, masks, respirators. WE students had little real exposure, but those teachers had been playing with the stuff for years and years without protective gear. I wonder if there has ever been a study to correlate cancers and other known effects of chemicals with science teachers from that era?

Yep, you are old, but we were still playing with that stuff when I went to school. Does that make you feel any better?

[Stijloor]

Originally Posted by schnuer

A little bit of the alarmist in me coming out again at work, but we have received some more gauges from a toolmaker that have a strong chemical smell, perhaps some degreaser/rust inhibitor.

I can't be sure but it resembles the smell of TCE (Trichloroethylene), which was used at another place of work of mine. I recall this chemical being a hazardous substance and if present at a workplace in liquid form it must be recorded in the MSDS sheets of the plant. How about if it exists as a residue on a gauge? Should I be raising a stir about more PPE, ie. gloves, face shields?

If it is indeed TCE, does anyone have experience or knowledge of the exposure risk to humans if I can definitely smell it on the equipment? Some employees sit right beside these gauges and work closely with them throughout their shift. (Fortunately there are fans blowing in the area.)

Thanks,

Rust inhibitors. A menu to choose from.... Does anything look ("smell") familiar to you?

Stijloor.

[Wes Bucey]

If you are worried, don't guess! Go to the guy who can give you an accurate answer. Do this in a matter-of-fact manner because you do not want to get a reputation with your supplier as "Chicken Little." (ie "What's the name of the product you have on the gages you sold us? Do you have a copy of the MSDS to fax us or can you tell me where to get one?") There is no need to tell him you are alarmed or make up any lies; just ask for the data.

[Craig H.]

Originally Posted by Wes Bucey

If you are worried, don't guess! Go to the guy who can give you an accurate answer. Do this in a matter-of-fact manner because you do not want to get a reputation with your supplier as "Chicken Little. (ie "What's the name of the product you have on the gages you sold us? Do you have a copy of the MSDS to fax us or can you tell me where to get one?") Thre is no need to tell him you are alarmed or make up any lies; just ask for the data.

As usual, Wes is spot on here. Get, and study, the MSDS.

This is a classic case of the unknown causing Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt (FUD).

[Pudge 72]

Or, do what we used to do when we had the Tri-Chlor tanks (not recommended nkowing what we know now) - sniff it. If you get the Tri-Chlor high, your suspicions will be verified, after you come down from the high and get over the ensuing headache, come up with a plan of action.