Am I hurting myself?

I can't use super glue because it gives me flu like symptoms.  You most likely have a allergy to what's in the glue. Try something else. 

Here's the MSDS for super glue. It says use in a ventilated area and avoid skin contact.

 

http://www.henkelcamsds.com/pd...r_Glue_Precision.pdf

 

Since your having some symptoms I would take a break from the gluing process and work on getting some kind of fume hood set up made that gets the fumes outside your work area.

franktrain

It CANNOT be good for you - find a substitute! 

Sure sounds like you need to try something a bit different.  I wear a respirator when I'm making use of certain paints, solvents, and adhesives, so I sure wouldn't advise anyone else to do anything less.

 

You really need to avoid inhaling the CA fumes whether passively or actively.  You should also really minimize the amounts of CA that you are using and try to use a very fine applicator tip to also minimize the amounts of CA and then the level of fumes that you generate.

 

You should cut back on the amounts and the CA fumes as these will also irritate your eyes as well.

 

A respirator will help, but perhaps this also how you are holding everything and perhaps looking down from above so that your head is directly above your work? 

 

Perhaps taking a break, thinking about how you are working on these small parts, considering a respirator and maybe also investing in some eye protection would help you.

You had me at "coughing up goop". 

 

Time to re-evaluate how much of this stuff is being used and how to best separate yourself from the fumes if there are no viable alternatives.

 

This sounds like you are using a lot more than for small repairs of plastic items or even assembly of a styrene kit.

 

-Dave

Yes, it sounds as if you're overexposed.

No matter what you're painting or gluing, if it's humanly possible, work outdoors. There are times when you can't--too windy, too rainy or cold, dust flying, etc.--but if you have a decent day, or even a warm enough day in droizzle and a covered porch, take advantage of natural ventilation ever chance you can get.

 

I used polyurethane varnish on our stairs and kitchen cabinets thirty years ago when they were new--fans running, doors and windows all open--and still had a doozy of an asthma attack from it. To this day I can't use or be around polyurethane varnishes. If your body starts whispering hints, take them before it decides to use a bullhorn.

Whatever happened to drinking beer to get HIGH???

Sometimes the fumes from CA glue will irritate my eyes but its never given me any respiratory trouble. When I was a mechanic I developed an allergy to brake cleaner. Gave me nasty open blisters on my skin. I tried wearing gloves but the stuff dissolved the gloves. Everyone in the shop used the stuff but I was the only one to develop a reaction to it. Never again will I touch it.

You can be 'sensitized' to certain chemicals after exposure to them.  Meaning you can become extremely sensitive to seemingly minor amounts once sensitized.  Everyone is different and has different experiences that lead to different results.  CA glue has burned my eyes before and I know the smell and try to avoid overexposure by being careful.  I was always told that sniffing glue wasn't real healthy for your brain, so I try to avoid doing that.  But of course, you have a job to do.  How about a fan next to the workbench to get the fumes away immediately with a logical way to blow it to the exhaust to vent the work area.  For the amount of work you have to do and the reaction you are having, a respirator seems like a good idea.  

Lots of folks are recommending respirators. If you go that route, make certain you get one that is designed to protect against vapors.

It has been awhile since I purchased one. Last I knew, most of them were only designed to protect against particulate (dust), not vapors or fumes.

 

I strongly agree with those comments; PLEASE DON'T RISK YOUR HEALTH UNNECESSARILY.

Aren't you married????

Lord, all you had to do was ask your wife, not the guys here.

Most women have much more common sense in this area than men!

Just ask my wife!

Greg

Greg, do you really think your wife would be willing to glue all those things for him, I doubt it..LOL  GLUE nasty stuff and interacts with membranes in a bad way. Just ask most plumbers that use glue solvents for years, they have problems usually if not carefull. 

I've purchased a VOX/NOX rated respirator mask at my Benjiman Moore paint store.

 

I have two dryer vents through a basement window: One pulls air out with an inline fan picked up from a building supplier. I keep an air conditioner filter over the intake side so I don't draw dirt and bugs into my work space.  Using the flexible metal dryer venting I can set up my "hood" anywhere I want near my work.

 

Hope this helps

NOT glue them for him....she would have been smart enough to answer his question regarding is he hurting himself! Not many wives would be foolish enough to do what he did, then ask a bunch of other fools who sit around playing with trains, if it was safe!

 

If you don't think so, start smelling up your work area with glue, lacquer thinner or any other hazardous item....then let your wife walk in on you. You won't even have to ask, she will just point out your error!

 

We know they are not too bright (they married us, didn't they!?) but they know better than that.

 

That was my point. I just stated it a little blunter in this post, for those who did not get it the first time.

 

Greg

Thanks, I appreciate input.  I probably have a very reactive immune system.  But it is nice to know others experiences. 

 

I will have to look for a respirator that is for fumes, not dust.  Good point as I never thought that there are different types.

 

I have used 5 bottles of the glue (small 1 oz?) and have finished 5000 pieces of catenary parts.  I am almost completely done glueing, thank goodness.

 

A bottle would last probably 2 weeks so it has taken quite some time to "finish". 

 

I primarily asked question to see if I was alone or if this is fairly common. 

 

Again thanks for information. 

 

mikeg 

If you are having a reaction it is no good for you.  You always have to have enough ventilation whether painted or glueing.

 

Uh, well, wouldn't it be logical, when doing that sort of major project involving any sort

of glue or solvents (or even non-water-based paints), to wait until the weather permits

you to do this OUTSIDE? Really? I don't know where you are (can guess), but winter ends,

even up there. (And winter is getting wimpier, anyway.)

I've noticed that after using a lot of CA glues my eyes start to burn and itch, usually I stop at that point and get a small fan to move the fumes out of my face. Probably should do that first, but I always feel that I won't be doing it long enough to bother me  but invariably I take longer than I thought it would.

 

Jerry

I was wrong on size, only 1/2 oz per container. With glasses on to screw 0.80 screws into each end of finished item, I could read fine print.  1500 down only 1000 more screws to go.   But no fumes only painful fingers.

 

Thanks guys

 

mikeg