Posted: 10/15/2012 8:36:59 AM EDT
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So I cleaned the cosmoline off a mosin-nagant with brake cleaner in my basement a few years ago (no ventilation), and I'm wondering what it could have done too me. I'm pretty sure I used most if not all of a normal sized can. I used a drill with a 12 gauge bore brush attached to clean out the action and chamber, then used a .30 cal brush on a rod to clean the bore. I accidently got some of the brake cleaner on the stock, and the parts it touched turned white. I know now that it was a dumb idea, and I'm concerned about the effects it might have had on me  I've always had a poor short term memory, but it seems to have gotten worse since I used that stuff. I'm normally a very book-smart type of person, but as of late I've had a lot of trouble processing complex thoughts - I recently graduated from college with a bachelors degree and the last couple of years were a struggle for me. Basically, I'm worried that this stuff might have caused brain-damage and made me "dumber". I can't remember if it was the chlorinated or non-chlorinated stuff. What does the hive say? Go see the doctor, or am I just a big pussy? |
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Yes it kills brain cells, but you have extras. Long term exposure would lead to something like painter syndrome but one time your fine. Or more accurately you damaged your brain but an imperceptible amount.
Edit: Go to the doctor if you're worried. The brake cleaner didn't do it but that doesn't mean there isn't something wrong. |
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Quoted:
So I cleaned the cosmoline off a mosin-nagant with brake cleaner in my basement a few years ago (no ventilation), and I'm wondering what it could have done too me. I'm pretty sure I used most if not all of a normal sized can. I used a drill with a 12 gauge bore brush attached to clean out the action and chamber, then used a .30 cal brush on a rod to clean the bore. I accidently got some of the brake cleaner on the stock, and the parts it touched turned white. I know now that it was a dumb idea, and I'm concerned about the effects it might have had on me I've always had a poor short term memory, but it seems to have gotten worse since I used that stuff. I'm normally a very book-smart type of person, but as of late I've had a lot of trouble processing complex thoughts - I recently graduated from college with a bachelors degree and the last couple of years were a struggle for me. Basically, I'm worried that this stuff might have caused brain-damage and made me "dumber". I can't remember if it was the chlorinated or non-chlorinated stuff. What does the hive say? Go see the doctor, or am I just a big pussy? For what? Are they going to donate some more brain cells to you? I think most chemicals that can be inhaled will kill brain cells, but you have a shit-ton so huff away! 
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I use brake cleaner to get shit off my hands all the time. Quit being a dramatic Nancy. You're fine. Or, you're no worse than you were before you used it. Agreed, if you are having problems it's likely from something else. Might be worth getting checked out but I wouldn't even mention the brake cleaner. |
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Chemicals are not to be taken lightly, especially when mixing two or more.
I just read an article about a guy who did irreparable damage using brake cleaner. He was a tig welder and ususally used carb cleaner to clean parts. He was out and instead used brake cleaner which contains trichlorathane. As it turns out, when burning cholorathane, in the presence of argon gas (which happens to be the sheilding gas for tig) it creates phosgene gas. The very tiny puff that he inhaled has fucked up the rest of his life and could have killed him. So, don't blow off warnings when using chemicals. |
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Quoted:
Chemicals are not to be taken lightly, especially when mixing two or more. I just read an article about a guy who did irreparable damage using brake cleaner. He was a tig welder and ususally used carb cleaner to clean parts. He was out and instead used brake cleaner which contains trichlorathane. As it turns out, when burning cholorathane, in the presence of argon gas (which happens to be the sheilding gas for tig) it creates phosgene gas. The very tiny puff that he inhaled has fucked up the rest of his life and could have killed him. So, don't blow off warnings when using chemicals. I'm trying to figure out how that happened as brake cleaner evaporates so quickly. Was it down in joint in the medal and burned when he started welding? I know if I'm ever using brake cleaner I always wait for the part to completely dry before I do anything involving sparks. |
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Just for future reference, I wouldn't use an electric drill in a confined space with any chemical, let alone brake cleaner. The fumes easily ignite and you really don't want to be another Richard Pryor. As for the original question; one time isn't likely to cause any significant issues with your health.
As an aside, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane has been banned for years. You won't find it being sold under any name in the U.S. |
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Chemicals are not to be taken lightly, especially when mixing two or more. I just read an article about a guy who did irreparable damage using brake cleaner. He was a tig welder and ususally used carb cleaner to clean parts. He was out and instead used brake cleaner which contains trichlorathane. As it turns out, when burning cholorathane, in the presence of argon gas (which happens to be the sheilding gas for tig) it creates phosgene gas. The very tiny puff that he inhaled has fucked up the rest of his life and could have killed him. So, don't blow off warnings when using chemicals. I'm trying to figure out how that happened as brake cleaner evaporates so quickly. Was it down in joint in the medal and burned when he started welding? I know if I'm ever using brake cleaner I always wait for the part to completely dry before I do anything involving sparks. http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm Here's the article. |
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Quoted:
Just for future reference, I wouldn't use an electric drill in a confined space with any chemical, let alone brake cleaner. The fumes easily ignite and you really don't want to be another Richard Pryor. As for the original question; one time isn't likely to cause any significant issues with your health. As an aside, 1,1,1-Trichloroethane has been banned for years. You won't find it being sold under any name in the U.S. There are other chlorine based solvents. Chlorathane nu Tri chlorethelyne Chlorethelyne It is a great solvent. Non flamable. Leaves no residue. etc. But, anything with chlorine should be treated with great care. |
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Chemicals are not to be taken lightly, especially when mixing two or more. I just read an article about a guy who did irreparable damage using brake cleaner. He was a tig welder and ususally used carb cleaner to clean parts. He was out and instead used brake cleaner which contains trichlorathane. As it turns out, when burning cholorathane, in the presence of argon gas (which happens to be the sheilding gas for tig) it creates phosgene gas. The very tiny puff that he inhaled has fucked up the rest of his life and could have killed him. So, don't blow off warnings when using chemicals. I'm trying to figure out how that happened as brake cleaner evaporates so quickly. Was it down in joint in the medal and burned when he started welding? I know if I'm ever using brake cleaner I always wait for the part to completely dry before I do anything involving sparks. http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm Here's the article. Damn, thanks for the info. |
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Highly unlikely a single incident of exposure could do that much damage unless you passed out in it. FWIW, you should always use that stuff outside.
I avoid the stuff with Tetrachloroethylene in it, that shit is NASTY. regular CRC Brakekleen has Tetrachloroethylene in it. It is possible that something else is wrong with you that has nothing to do with exposure to brake parts cleaner. You could have an undiagnosed medical condition such as diabetes or hypoglycemia or something worse. You don't say how old you are but I am 43 now and my mind is not as sharp as it was 20 years ago. Further, College isn't High School for most people...It is quite a bit more difficult. With other stuff going on in your life other than getting home from school, it is going to be more challenging. If you are over 40 and you can't remember if you shut the garage door or not and need to check, that is normal stuff. If you are putting your laptop in the freezer, using your oven to store clothing or getting lost on the way to work, you have something else very wrong. |