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Naphta toxicity discussion
https://www.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10137&t=55122		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Smylight [ Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:33 am ]
Post subject:  Naphta toxicity discussion
Hello all,

I recently read a post by one of our most esteemed friends here about naphta having some level of toxicity. I mean, apart from actually drinking it. ;-) As I've been using the stuff for many, many years to clean fretboards and ultra-dirty finishes in general without any health issues (so far), I did a search and sure enough found info form the US Gov about this.

I'm not too nervous about it, but nevertheless I'll start using nitrile gloves, but it seems the fumes themselves could eventually lead to problems down the line. I'm already using masks while meeting customers, so I'd prefer not to use one in the shop while doing simple work like cleaning…

So… has anyone found a good substitute that's completely safe and nevertheless retains the qualities we love so much about naphta?


Pierre
Guitares Torvisse
Author:  windsurfer [ Tue Jul 05, 2022 9:37 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Naphta toxicity discussion
SECTION 2. HAZARDS IDENTIFICATION
Emergency Overview
Regulatory status : This material is considered hazardous by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200).
Signal Word : DANGER
Hazard Summary : Extremely flammable. Irritating to eyes and respiratory system. Affects central
nervous system. Harmful or fatal if swallowed. Aspiration Hazard.
Potential Health Effects
Eyes : High vapor concentration or contact may cause irritation and discomfort.
Skin : Brief contact may cause slight irritation. Skin irritation leading to dermatitis may
occur upon prolonged or repeated contact. Can be absorbed through skin.
Ingestion : Aspiration hazard if liquid is inhaled into lungs, particularly from vomiting after
ingestion. Aspiration may result in chemical pneumonia, severe lung damage,
respiratory failure and even death.
Inhalation : Vapors or mists from this material can irritate the nose, throat, and lungs, and
can cause signs and symptoms of central nervous system depression,
depending on the concentration and duration of exposure. Inhalation of high
concentrations may cause central nervous system depression such as dizziness,
Author:  Tim Mullin [ Tue Jul 05, 2022 11:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Naphta toxicity discussion
Naphtha is actually a class of petroleum distillates. Even if the main ingredient is essentially the same in all products in this class, the minor ingredients and manufacturing contaminants vary tremendously, as does the physical behaviour (flash point, etc,) and toxicology. Anyone using a product with naphtha should review the MSDS for that product — note carefully the presence of compounds with names ending in “-ane”.

I’ve sourced at least 10 naphtha products in 4 countries for guitar building. They vary a lot.
Author:  Chris Pile [ Tue Jul 05, 2022 1:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Naphta toxicity discussion
SAFE? Even water has an MSDS. Like all poisons - it's the dosage.
Author:  WudWerkr [ Tue Jul 05, 2022 2:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Naphta toxicity discussion
Chris Pile wrote:
SAFE? Even water has an MSDS. Like all poisons - it's the dosage.


That was my thought. It really comes down to amounts in parts per Million . Most of us use it infrequent enough that with proper ventilation there shouldn't be any issue.

However , Im not a Dr. Nor do I play one on TV

idunno
Author:  Barry Daniels [ Tue Jul 05, 2022 6:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Naphta toxicity discussion
For general shop use, the solvent I use is odorless mineral spirits. It is also a mixture of hydrocarbons and is probably no less toxic than naphtha. But I appreciate its lower level of odor. Also, I think it may leave a cleaner surface when dry. I seem to remember naphtha leaving a very slightly oily surface.

The harm of a particular compound is related to more than ppm concentration. It also depends on it's inherent toxicity. Some compounds are deadly even at a low dose. Other compounds are only harmful if you swallow or adsorb a lot of it. Concerning water, it is given an MSDS because if you swallow gallons of it, it can be very bad. So a manufacturer includes an MSDS for their own protection in case there's an accident.
This use to be a big part of my day job.
Author:  Hesh [ Wed Jul 06, 2022 2:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Naphta toxicity discussion
Watching with interest, I use it a lot.
Author:  joshnothing [ Wed Jul 06, 2022 5:42 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Naphta toxicity discussion
Gloves and avoiding too much skin contact are always a good idea with any solvent. With naphtha I rarely remember to, though.

You probably shouldn’t pour it into a bag and inhale the concentrated vapour, nor should you bathe in it.

But dampening a cloth with it to clean a some crudd off a guitar surely isn’t a dangerous level of exposure. You can generally do this kind of thing without skin contact.
Author:  Smylight [ Thu Jul 07, 2022 11:28 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Naphta toxicity discussion
Hesh wrote:
Watching with interest, I use it a lot.

I do, too, and have for a very long time, that's why I started this. :-)


Pierre
Guitares Torvisse
Author:  WudWerkr [ Mon Jul 11, 2022 4:25 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Naphta toxicity discussion
Barry Daniels wrote:
The harm of a particular compound is related to more than ppm concentration. It also depends on it's inherent toxicity. Some compounds are deadly even at a low dose. Other compounds are only harmful if you swallow or adsorb a lot of it. Concerning water, it is given an MSDS because if you swallow gallons of it, it can be very bad. So a manufacturer includes an MSDS for their own protection in case there's an accident.
This use to be a big part of my day job.



This is true , My reference was mainly towards Naptha and how much we really use. Thank you for clairification however
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