MEK Side effects

[rapid_ascent]

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.

[joedallas]

Thanks
All

It has been a week and I am still sick

MEK will not be used in my shop again

I hope no permanent damage has occurred

After all I am building a aircraft so you know I am not playing with
a full deck as it is.

Joe Dallas

[DonFromTX]

We all knew that, but it is good to hear you finally admit it

Originally Posted by joedallas

Thanks
All

It has been a week and I am still sick

MEK will not be used in my shop again

I hope no permanent damage has occurred

After all I am building a aircraft so you know I am not playing with
a full deck as it is.

Joe Dallas

[LettersFromFlyoverCountry]

The best part about completing building is I had an airplane. The second-best part is I don't have to use MEK anymore.

[Brantel]

MEK is nasty but so is Acetone and Lacquer Thinner and many more solvents.

Use proper PPE with all of these chemicals......

Bottom line is all of this stuff can harm you if you don't use the correct PPE. Don't fall for the trap that some are dangerous and some are not.

[DaleB]

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.

[rvbuilder2002]

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.

[bruceflys]

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-...s=face+shields.

[Low Pass]

Originally Posted by joedallas

Thanks
All

It has been a week and I am still sick

MEK will not be used in my shop again

I hope no permanent damage has occurred

After all I am building a aircraft so you know I am not playing with
a full deck as it is.

Joe Dallas

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.

[David-aviator]

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.