[AmbuGrl]

http://www.brewracingframes.com/safety-alert-brake-cleaner--phosgene-gas.html
Here's an article on it...

The short of it is, it turns into a poisonous gas that can kill you quick

 

[Netpackrat]

Thanks for making this a sticky. Here are a couple previous threads on the topic with a lot of good info:

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f37/something-aware-when-welding-1012133/

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f37/brake-cleaner-problem-welding-1273715/

 

[BESRK]

Phosgene.... Mmmmm....

Bad thing is.. prior to a couple years ago, I wouldn't have given it a second thought.. and actually welded areas that had been "degreased" with brake cleaner.. it smelled horrible..

Glad I know better now..:cheers2:

 

[athos76]

Glad to see something I posted is useful, for once...

 

[04WJny]

wow never would have known that. thanks for the post :2thumbsup:

 

[04WJny]

Just found this govt article about some welding material warnings, includes phosgene as talked about in the article that AmbuGrl posted: http://www.osha.gov/doc/outreachtraining/htmlfiles/weldhlth.html

Also the zinc coating in galvanized steel can be toxic as well, its always important to check the MSDS for each material you are going to weld

 

[Shmee]

I confirm about galvanized steel. I used to work in an elevator shop and weld that a lot with no aspiration system and had to quit before 1 year for health purpose order of my doctor, started having symptomes
after few month ,same for the guy who was working with me and the previous welder who worked there for over 6 year died.

 

[Skytard]

Oh my god. This must be a warning sign from the Gods. I was littlerally about to go pick up some break cleaner to clean off the oil on some tube I was welding on for my job. Thanks for posting this, it may have saved my life!

 

[Hotshot]

I've used brake cleaner, degreaser, and whatever was handy in the shed to clean that oil film off steel. I'll never do it again. Thanks for this post, I'm going to pass this info on to some friends.

 

[SamPsychoWise]

I fought with my job for a year before they would give me a resporator. Also once a year I take a Pulmonary function test. Job required for people who use a resporator.

Good looking out!

 

[iced98lx]

If you don't have a ventilation system (down draft or up draft tables) to weld on, or items are too big always be aware of what you're welding and what has been put on it!!

 

[TJRHD]

wow

 

[2doorxj]

Im guessing a chlorine free brake cleaner would be a better substitute?

 

[RenoF250]

Im guessing a chlorine free brake cleaner would be a better substitute?

I doubt it, it has pretty nasty stuff in it as well. I always though brake cleaner left no residue. I think I electronic contact cleaner leaves no residue but I would not bet on it.

 

[bobjenkins]

Good advice better save than sorry.

 

[SamPsychoWise]

In case anyone has not seen a Material safety data sheet. Here is the one for CRC Brakleen. The one from the OPs link

Brakleen

"In the U.S., the Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that MSDS be available to employees for potentially harmful substances handled in the workplace under the Hazard Communication regulation. The MSDS is also required to be made available to local fire departments and local and state emergency planning officials under Section 311 of the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act. The American Chemical Society defines Chemical Abstracts Service Registry Numbers (CAS numbers) which provide a unique number for each chemical and are also used internationally in MSDSs."
(MSDS info from wikipedia.org)

 

[Erik719]

Phosgene was used in chemical warfare during WWI.

 

[zedhead]

Thanks for posting this Ambugrl, being a home mechanic, working on my jeep I use brake cleaner every once in a while. I had no idea something as simple as this could possible kill you !

 

[1971CJ5Man]

I use to work in a plant for 3 years that made phosgene gas, I was caught up a leak and inhaled a lot of gas. I spent the next 14 hours in medical under oxygen. I ended up with a sever case of chemical pneumonia it took me about 6 months to fully recover. Phosgene is an acid gas and when mixed with the fluid in your lungs becomes very corrosive. If anyone is unfortunate and inhales phosgene please go to the hospital they can put you on a breathing machine while your lungs heal. One breath will do a lot of damage as did to the guy in the article. If he would have taken a second breath he may not be alive. As a welder for the past 24 years my advice to everyone is to use a torch or buffer to remove any oil, don't use any type of degreaser.

 

[awinski]

actually glad my ag teacher is such a hard ***. learned this first day learning to mig weld in shop class.