Is there proof that motor oil is a carcinogen?

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I know there's plenty of anecdotal evidence but I've never seen a direct connection between those who handle the most (mechanics) and skin cancer.
 
I'm interested as well, especially after some of the minty smelling oils from BMW in the mid 2000's got me feeling downright thirsty!
 
New oil is relatively benign. Its the used stuff thats carcinogenic. Comes from the byproducts of combustion. Benzene in the gas ect.
 
Originally Posted By: Michael_P
New oil is relatively benign. Its the used stuff thats carcinogenic. ...
Exactly---as the warning on every bottle sold tells us.
 
I was told it was waste oil that was the problem. I play it safe and wear throwaway gloves from HF when I'm handling oil, or working on my vehicles. I like to keep my hands clean.
 
Originally Posted By: Speak2Mountain
I know there's plenty of anecdotal evidence but I've never seen a direct connection between those who handle the most (mechanics) and skin cancer.


That's because they often wear gloves
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Used oil is what does the most harm. New oil is relatively safe
 
The toxic chemical buildup in the bloodstream kills all kinds of bacteria and flu viruses.

Ever wonder why mechanics are never sick?
 
First let me say, don't do as I have done. I started working on cars in my early teens. We used to wash our oily greasy hands in gasoline. Did that kind of stuff for almost 50 years. I am thinking I should be dead. But for some reason my Doc tells me I am in good shape for 70.
 
Originally Posted By: Bud
I am thinking I should be dead. But for some reason my Doc tells me I am in good shape for 70.


Case in point.
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there is conclusive evidence that used engine oil causes skin cancers. Back in the '90s, one of my early graduate placements, I had to do some hazard assessment, and read the papers.

Shaved mouse, used engine oil applied multiple times per day generally had cancerous lesions at the site of applications emerge.

If you change your oil WILL you get skin cancer ?

Probably not.
 
After two decades of being my own mechanic I took my 89 Accord to a local Honda specialist shop for a new oil pan gasket - because I didn't want to do it at home. When I picked up the car I noticed how clean the guy's hands were and asked him how he did it. My hands were always dirty, scraped, and had blackness under the fingernails for days after doing any work on the car. He simply said, "We wear gloves." Ever since then I've used nitrile gloves. I actually found that my concerns about grip were unfounded because I can grip things BETTER with the gloves. Having disposable gloves on hand is so handy. I use them for auto work, plumbing tasks (toilets - yuck), and food prep (very nice to have gloves on when kneading a meatloaf). Spend a few extra bucks to get thicker ones that fit you properly, as opposed to one size fits all. They are an essential part of my home workshop.
 
Originally Posted By: Donald
Why not assume it is and use gloves? It would cost under 25¢. Actually I don't know what a pair of gloves cost. Guess at 25¢.


You got my curiosity. I buy rubber gloves for work by the case on eBay; since I'm PAYING for them out of my pocket, I don't hesitate to use them at home for whatever I want...$54.99 per case of 1,000 gloves...54.99/1000 = .0549 X 2 = pair so .10998 I guess about 10 cents per pair, actually closer to 11 cents. I'll use one pair to break loose the oil plug and filter and a second pair to completely remove & drain the filter, then go bare handed to replace the drain plug and hand tight new filter...about 22 cents total...you're not too far off...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SunnyCare-8804-Nitrile-Disposable-Gloves-Powder-Free-Non-Latex-Vinyl-Exam-XL/120861297266?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057874.m2749.l2649
 
Used motor oil is a proven carcinogen. It carries all the elements and byproducts of combustion within it, and petroleum products carry past the skin's natural oils barrier, taking the contaminants with them.

New, unused, clean motor oil, not so much.
 
My dad has never used gloves etc. around used motor oil for almost 40 years. He ended up with prostate cancer at 70 just like all his brothers who are not mechanics and his dad who also was not a mechanic. He spent more time dirty with grease, oil and gasoline/diesel working insane hours at his own shop that I think he would be a prime candidate for some other cancer other than prostate.

I know this goes against the advice of California but that is real world experiences. Not saying it isn't but I don't think it's that big of a deal.

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