Welding Safety Concerns with Brake Cleaner
These days, welding is becoming more accessible thanks to the availability of cheaper equipment. That’s great, but it comes with a massive caveat: safety. You really need to think about precautions to protect yourself and those around you. This requirement extends to the preparation of metal before welding. Recently, Dr. Bernard, known as ChubbyEmu, teamed up with Styropyro to highlight some risks associated with using brake cleaner on metal before welding.
Similar to household cleaning products like bleach or ammonia, misusing brake cleaner can lead to hazardous situations. For instance, combining these chemicals can generate toxic gases, like chlorine, which, while dangerous, usually isn’t fatal. However, brake cleaner contains tetrachloroethylene, which poses a much graver threat. As illustrated in the video, cleaning a rusty part with brake cleaner and then exposing it to the intense heat of welding can produce phosgene.
Phosgene was infamously used as a chemical weapon during World War I. Once it gets into the lungs, it doesn’t break down or lose its potency. Instead, it adheres to surfaces and wreaks havoc, damaging proteins and DNA. The end result can be tragic, as it disrupts lung function, leading to pulmonary edema where the lungs fill with fluid and oxygen levels drop. Sadly, this scenario can result in death.
The video references a real case from 1982, involving a previously healthy 23-year-old man who accidentally inhaled phosgene. He was hospitalized and deteriorated over six days, ultimately passing away due to heart complications. It’s really sobering to think about.
If you happen to notice an unusual scent, like musty hay or freshly cut grass—with no one around mowing—there’s a possibility you’ve breathed in phosgene. The individual in the video took too long to seek help after continued welding, but prompt treatment can improve the chances of recovery if exposure isn’t too severe.
Much like with laser safety, prevention is key for staying healthy. When welding, it’s crucial to cover your skin completely, as intense UV radiation is present. Protect your eyes with a reliable welding mask and, ideally, wear a respirator when working indoors. Take care of your eyes, lungs, and skin—because you only get one set—and please, don’t use brake cleaner for metal prep before welding.
