Thanks for the good news Pete. :-/ Chris
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Thought the following might interest
most of you out there and especially those who work with the stuff.
Hi, worth reading
http://www.charlesriverrc.org/articles/construction/mikeyoungling_carbonfiberhazards.htm just returned from a USAF mishap investigation course at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. One of the subjects covered is the hazards associated with carbon fiber composites in a post-crash fire. This is a big issue since many modern combat aircraft contain increasing amounts of this material. What I learned is the material itself is not hazardous until it is subjected to a fire after a crash. The carbon can cause serious skin and respiratory problems. Since carbon chemically bonds with just about any compound, the hazard lies in the toxic compounds the material picks up during combustion. Acids, cyanides and other nasty compounds bond with the fibers which are carried by the smoke and flames into the air. This posses a serious threat to anyone fighting the fire or handling the wreckage afterwards. The fibers will puncture the skin and release the compounds into the bloodstream. This is compounded by the fact the body does not recognize carbon as a foreign body and will not attempt to shed it. Not to scare anyone but if you fight a model fire involving carbon fiber structures use a mask or at least a scarf over the nose and exercise extreme caution when handling wreckage. The best solution is to spray a fixing agent such as white glue and water or wax on the parts to prevent release of the fibers. Handle parts with gloves. Thankfully, we're not using Boron, this stuff can penetrate into bone... Here is another,( not new
info)
Regarding latex gloves for working with epoxy: I had a discussion several years ago with one of the technical/safety experts at Hexcel, the makers of epoxy resins. He made a VERY STRONG comment that we should NOT use LATEX gloves with epoxy. Latex is good for protection from biological hazards, but some of the hazardous chemicals in epoxy diffuse right through latex. Barrier creams by themselves also do not provide adequate protection. He recommended vinyl gloves. These have sufficient resistance to the chemicals involved. Barrier creams on your hands and forearms as a SUPPLEMENT to the vinyl gloves are also a good idea. Ventilation is also important. Even though epoxy doesn't smell as bad as other resin systems, some of its relatively odorless components are hazardous in vapor form. EVERYONE will eventually develop an allergy to epoxy, given enough exposure. Some folks will get it in a few exposures, others may take years. The amount of exposure you get with each episode has a lot to do with it, the effects are cumulative. Vinyl gloves are available from the same medical suppliers as the those nearly worthless (for this application) latex gloves, for close to the same price. Buy a box of VINYL gloves, and use them EVERY time you do ANY work with epoxy! Welcome to the space
age
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