Etching **WARNING** - Page 2

PerfectDeb · #31 2012-07-06, 7:17pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSimmons

There is an article about etching safety in the next edition of The Glass Bead.

Robert

great timing

and thank you Corri for making this a sticky

RSimmons · #32 2012-07-08, 9:42am

I figured that it was way past time to address the issue directly so I wrote the article. Etching is very popular and most people don't know nearly enough about how to handle these materials safely. Thanks for making this a sticky - it really is important.

Robert

tenor_ringer · #33 2012-09-09, 7:59am

One addition from the Chemical Hygiene Officer at the University where I work:

If you are exposed to HF and don't have calcium gluconate on hand, a trip to the emergency room is a very good idea. When seeking medical treatment, it is best to take a copy of the MSDS with you to show them. IMPORTANT: make sure they understand that they are dealing with exposure to Hydrofluoric Acid, NOT Hydrochloric Acid. It is imperative that they understand this as the treatments are very different. Simply neutralizing the acid doesn't work as HF goes after calcium sources in your body, i.e., your bones. I have seen some really ugly photos of the consequences of improper treatment. HF is not something to be trifled with. BTW, consider a face shield in addition to safety glasses when working with strong acids.

Torched Art · #34 2012-09-09, 10:04am

I google searched images

Scary stuff.

My husband worked in an auto shop without gloves. His right hand was dipped into cleaning chemicals all day. This was 20 years ago, and you should see his hand now. It still peels, cracks, bleeds, and looks bad. Imagine what else is going on in his body from the damage.

I was a dental assistant and was exposed to a lot of dangerous chemicals from cleaning wipes and sprays to chemical autoclave to mercury, and more. In my google image search I saw a dental image where we put the acid etch on the tooth to prepare for a composite filling. Yet another chemical I was exposed to. We are not trained to suction those vapors. Most dentists do not use dental dams, and often the acid is sprayed off and suctioned out, but often it gets lost into the patients mouth and swallowed. I have had it spray onto my arms and face before too.

Needless to say, I got very very sick and no longer could work as a Dental Assistant. I was diagnosed with MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. We did filling all day long, and tossed this chemical around like it was just another tool.

So, when you go to the dentist, make sure you get a DENTAL DAM!!!! Especially if they are removing the mercury fillings and giving you the nice white plastic composite fillings. They are using this in your mouth.

Here is a google image search for hydrofluoric acid dental

smpalmer85 · #35 2012-09-09, 8:04pm

Just purchased this stuff a week or two ago and am glad to have seen this thread. I was unaware this stuff was a hydrofluoric analogue.

I'm a chemist in a research lab. We work with lots of nasty stuff including liquid HCN (HCN salts used in gas chambers in WW2) which can kill you with a single drop. To this day, about the only chemical we refuse to work with is HF. It's an excellent digestive agent for metals analysis, but the risks aren't worth the advantages over alternatives.

When working with the glacial acids (as in the fatility story - way more concentrated than etch-all! - hate scare stories...) the fumes are potentially deadly and a drop will eat through your jeans in seconds. The problem with HF is how easily it penetrates through clothing and skin. Even with these relatively dilute solutions please be very very careful to avoid contact and treat all spills properly. Pretend it's another torch flame...

The good news is nitrile gloves seem fairly resistive to degradation and permeation but be aware that chemist use thicker gloves and don't buy them from the dollar store. Sunlight and heat may compromise your gloves.
http://www.ansellpro.com/download/An...tanceGuide.pdf

gloves, chemical apron, goggles, sleeves, face shield, and good ventilation are highly recommended.

AuntD · #36 2012-12-19, 2:54pm

Does anyone remember the episode of the tv show ER where a fire fighter got a bunch of hydrofluoric acid on him and they had to tell him he was going to die within a couple of hours? Carol Hathaway took down a letter to his daughter that he dictated and he died as she was reading it back to him. That's really all I had to know about hydrofluoric acid to never want to have anything to do with it.

cadia · #37 2012-12-19, 3:47pm

If anyone watched "Breaking Bad" hydrofluoric acid is what they used to completely disintegrate human bodies.

PerfectDeb · #38 2012-12-21, 1:50pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by AuntD

Does anyone remember the episode of the tv show ER where a fire fighter got a bunch of hydrofluoric acid on him and they had to tell him he was going to die within a couple of hours? Carol Hathaway took down a letter to his daughter that he dictated and he died as she was reading it back to him. That's really all I had to know about hydrofluoric acid to never want to have anything to do with it.

yes, really stuck in my memory

Darlene Balkcum · #39 2012-12-26, 4:29pm

Does anyone know if the wink rust stain remover works? Or is there a safe chemical method for etching? I don't have any luck with tumbling.
I would like to stop using the etchall after reading all of the safety information.
Thanks for the info,
Darlene

squirrellglider · #40 2012-12-26, 4:46pm

I started my working life in a cadetship in production and chemical engineering with Dunlop Australia in the early sixties and HF and it's derivitives were in the arsenal of materials that were used in our lab. The precautions taken for w.h.a.s. were as great as for phosgene which is a reaction product of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents and burning polymers.
With the knowlege of the dangers of HF and it's derivatives that I gained in that period of my training I have deemed it the smartest move to just avoid the use of HF and derivatives even when the economics would suggest a compromise. The precautions available in a superbly equipped laboratory far surpass anything the casual home user can effect, so my advice would be to just keep as far from HF as possible Terry

houptdavid · #41 2012-12-26, 7:08pm

Wink Rust and Stain remover works on some soft glass BUT it is 3-5% HF!!!

lampworker1 · #42 2012-12-31, 9:10pm

I just want to thank all of you who post information and do the research to help everyone be safe. I have some etch all. I have used it three time in 6 years, now I will wear gloves, respirator and take it outside.

Thanks once again.

QuiteCuntrary · #43 2013-01-01, 12:57am

I've used the white etching cream many times and have even gotten it on my fingers. Washed vigorously and never had any reaction to it. The brown liquid stuff scares me a lot more, for some reason. I am always super careful now, but still.. pretty scary. Sigh. I love etched glass.

LarryC · #44 2013-01-01, 3:13pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by squirrellglider

I started my working life in a cadetship in production and chemical engineering with Dunlop Australia in the early sixties and HF and it's derivitives were in the arsenal of materials that were used in our lab. The precautions taken for w.h.a.s. were as great as for phosgene which is a reaction product of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents and burning polymers.
With the knowlege of the dangers of HF and it's derivatives that I gained in that period of my training I have deemed it the smartest move to just avoid the use of HF and derivatives even when the economics would suggest a compromise. The precautions available in a superbly equipped laboratory far surpass anything the casual home user can effect, so my advice would be to just keep as far from HF as possible Terry

Well said. There are a lot of other ways to achieve an etched look using abrasives that are much safer if done right. Accidents happen so plan for the worst with any product you use.

jhamilton117 · #45 2013-04-08, 7:22pm

Glad I read this! Thank you for the info, I think ill skip this stuff and just start saving for a sandblasting cabinet. Hope everyones safe!

Speedslug · #46 2013-06-07, 9:55pm

I can not Thank You enough for putting this information on a sticky. I was the saftey guy in the Navy and I still took the manufacturers word for how safe this stuff is. DOH!, as Hommer Simpson would say. I had not bought any yet, but I was going to 'till today. This the excuse I need to go ahead and get a good rock tumbler and the abrasive kits for it. It will take a few days rather than a few hours I assume but will be worth it in the long run. Besides that, now I could tumble the pretty stones I find.
I wonder if portland cement has enough lime in it to serve as a quench for this HF Acid. I have a half a bag of that left from some project or other. I was thinking of using that to neutralize the muriatic acid left from some brick projects. I seem to remember that cement is made from baked limestone, but the mind does funny things as one grows older. Phill.

PerfectDeb · #47 2013-06-09, 4:20am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speedslug

I can not Thank You enough for putting this information on a sticky. I was the saftey guy in the Navy and I still took the manufacturers word for how safe this stuff is. DOH!, as Hommer Simpson would say. I had not bought any yet, but I was going to 'till today. This the excuse I need to go ahead and get a good rock tumbler and the abrasive kits for it. It will take a few days rather than a few hours I assume but will be worth it in the long run. Besides that, now I could tumble the pretty stones I find.
I wonder if portland cement has enough lime in it to serve as a quench for this HF Acid. I have a half a bag of that left from some project or other. I was thinking of using that to neutralize the muriatic acid left from some brick projects. I seem to remember that cement is made from baked limestone, but the mind does funny things as one grows older. Phill.

I'm glad you found the info, newbies are the exact reason I put it up