Welding and Solvents = Poison Gas

An article in the August 2009 issue of American Iron Magazine documents how easy it is to inadvertently create some poison gas. The author of the article, Brew Dude, describes how he needed to make repairs to some diesel tanks. Normally he uses carb cleaner to clean the spot where he is going to weld. This time he was out of carb cleaner and used brake cleaner instead. The area was heavily pitted and some of the brake cleaner remained after he wiped down the area. He started to TIG weld and noticed a tiny puff of white smoke. That tiny puff permanently affected him, he now has emphysema and chronic bronchitis among other health issues. He may also have damaged his pancreas.

How could this happen?? The active chemical in the brake cleanser is tetrachloroethylene. When this chemical is exposed to high heat and argon gas (as in MIG and TIG welding) it produces PHOSGENE GAS. PHOSGENE GAS can be fatal at as little a dose as four part per million. There is no antidote for phosgene poisoning.

Moral of the story: ALWAYS carefully read the labels and warning on any and all chemicals you use. Obtain the relavent MSDS and study them.

-- AlbinDrzewianowski - 14 Dec 2009