How bad do you think it is to get engine oil, atf, brake fluids on your skin?
It's not bad at all. I've never worn gloves while working on a vehicle.
How bad do you think it is to get engine oil, atf, brake fluids on your skin?
- Thread starter Dunkaroo
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It's not bad at all. I've never worn gloves while working on a vehicle.
Maybe a few sessions with a shrink would be beneficial to deal with irrational phobias. Either that or just wear gloves.
Not saying it is the best thing to not wear gloves, but I never did and have worked on cars all my life. We used to use gasoline to get the grease off our hands. I am 74 and still going strong. But do what makes you feel comfortable.
This. One exposure to carcinogens isn’t a guarantee of cancer, but prolonged/routine exposure is what increases your chances of cancer. Your skin is porous and absorbs whatever is on it. It’s why fire fighters and investigators are not only supposed to wear respirators, but also cover all exposed skin to avoid soot etc. After a fire or investigation there are decon procedures to clean yourself and scrub all dirty tools/equipment. We are required to “shower within the hour” to get that stuff off of our skin.
I’m no doctor but blowing brake dust (then asbestos) was a sure way to set up problems down the road. As mentioned this guy probably didn’t know. Because of asbestos brake and clutch materials my shop techs were required to have an annual full blown physical that included a scored respiratory test. This test was graphed to track any decline etc. I’m thankful the organization did this to include strict adherence to brake/clutch material dust handling.
Nitrile gloves are cheap. I didn't used to wear gloves during oil changes, etc but started maybe 20 years ago. I feel much better after doing the work to have such easy cleanup and my hands don't smell like oil or fluids like they did even after thorough washing to get rid of the contamination on my skin.
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Amen to this.
I just wipe my hands off if they get too oily or dirty.
Only way fluid can hurt is if it is hot.
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As others said, motor oil on skin is pretty low on the wrenching risk totem pole. Inhalation of dust and chemicals is probably far riskier in the long term. Or accidentally setting yourself or car or garage on fire. Or getting crushed by an improperly lifted vehicle. Heck, you're probably more likely to die driving it than from anything you're exposed to.
Personally I wear gloves about half the time. Sometimes I like to get my hands dirty.
Personally I wear gloves about half the time. Sometimes I like to get my hands dirty.
According to the CDC:
EFFECTS OF CHRONIC OR REPEATED EXPOSURE: Ethylene glycol is not classifiable as a human carcinogen. Limited studies have not found ethylene glycol to be a carcinogen. It is not known whether chronic or repeated exposure to ethylene glycol increases the risk of reproductive toxicity or developmental toxicity.
New oil from the original container is almost always safe. Used oil is a mixture of stuff that should be avoided - presuming you are working with this stuff everyday. A DIY person has more risk crossing the street.
I remember getting them clean with using gasoline....
My Dad smoked five cigars a day, never got cancer.Oh, and let me add this too. When I cut used oil filters open, I still don't wear gloves!
I wonder when my hands will get cancer?
That doesn’t make cigar smoking risk free.
Used oil and other chemicals do, in fact, increase your risk of cancer.
Just like smoking does.
Nitrile gloves are cheap. They reduce your risk, just like quitting smoking reduces your risk.
+1
It isn't good for your skin, and is a carcinogen. YMMV as far as if you get cancer from the exposure or not. Personally I wear gloves and have for quite a while just because it makes working on cars and engines so much easier. Phone rings? Take off the gloves and it won't get nasty. Want to eat lunch? Doesn't take 30 minutes of scrubbing to wash your hands. Need to get inside the car and move it or start it after doing greasy work? You won't get the interior filthy.
I also find my hands get less cut open if I slam them against something because the gloves act as a protective layer.
I think it's inherently worse when someone can't apply common sense because they have been so indoctrinated and brainwashed....
I was about to quote the same thing.
EG is not a carcinogen. There may be carcinogens in antifreeze, but it isn't the EG.
EG is a skin sensitizer and it is both acutely and chronically toxic if ingested, but there is no known link to cancer that I've ever heard of.
My dad smoked for 30 years. He never got cancer either. He did, however, get COPD and spent the last 2 years of his life on oxygen.
Very wise. Ethylene glycol tastes sweet and animals will drink or lick it. And it's highly toxic. Can cause death a day or two later.
And (for the benefit of the original poster) no you don't have to worry about getting a bit of coolant on your skin. Just don't drink any.
EG is also pretty biodegradable from what I've read. So much so that some municipalities allow you to dispose of used coolant into the sanitary sewer.
Never heard that before.
A skin sensitizer is a substance that anyone can be exposed to once without effect. But then for most people a second or later exposure results in a skin reaction like painful or itchy blisters. Ethylene glycol doesn't do that.
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