----- Original Message ----- From: Leon

 

****WARNING*****

 

Methylene chloride is a highly toxic solvent,  second only to carbon tetrachloride for it's leathality.  I speak from experience!

 

It is the active ingredient in paint stripper and of "Carbon Remover" that mechanics use to remove carbon from rotors,  pistons and cylinder heads.  Excellent solvent - It'll take the stain off your character if you leave it on long enough.  However,  it is also particularly good at damaging livers,  spleens,  and pancreases. It will absorb through the skin,  and will accumulate in the fatty tissues.  It is really difficult to get out of the system.

 

I used it for many years without any apparent ill effects.  One day,  (a hot summer's day as I remember), I opened a new drum of the stuff, (using full protective clothing),  and filled up the cleaning tank.  Within 48 hours,  I was nearly dead.  My skin broke out in big red blotches,  (Chloracne),  and my ears were literally dripping with serum.  I'd become sensitised to the stuff.  I'd reached my limit of tolerance.  The following weeks were hell.  It badly damaged my immume system,  as well as nearly destroying my liver and spleen.  I became so ill that I had to close my business.  Took me years to recover from the effects.  NOT nice!!

 

So guys,  be warned,  be REALLY careful using any solvent.  Only use them in a well ventillated place,  and wear Nitrile rubber gloves and a respirator.. Try and use stuff that isn't so toxic.  Denatured alcohol is probably the safest.  REMEMBER,  anything that contains chlorinated hydrocarbons is TOXIC.  Different chemicals affect different people different ways.  It might cause metabolic problems in one person,  immune system problems in another,  and cause cancer in another.  So beware of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents,  they can be killers.