Cyanoacrylate (super glue) warning

[christinna77]

Just a warning for anyone who uses super glue often: always wear gloves and even use a mask for the vapors.

I wasn't careful and often got it on my hands while gluing frags. Within about a year I developed a bad sensitivity to cyanoacrylate. I'd feel fine while using it, but about 6 hours later I'd get stuffed sinuses, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, sore throat and other flu-like symptoms.

Each time I was down for almost a whole week, felt really sick and wasn't able to get any sleep.

I tracked everything I did and super glue was the only thing that lined up every time. Even being in the same room while my partner used it (and when I didn't touch the tank whole day) was enough to trigger symptoms the next day.

I still haven't found a good alternative, since epoxy doesn't work well for frags I move around. Now I have to use a respirator, safety glasses, gloves and keep the room ventilated each time, even if I just need to glue a tiny frag.

Be careful with this stuff, it can really mess you up.

 

[Fish Fan]

Thanks for the warning!

My understanding is that this kind of thing can extend to corals too, meaning, that over time some people become more sensitive to their sting. What once had no ill effect would now cause a terrible reaction.

Stay safe everyone

 

[mfinn]

I can see that happening.
Using chemicals no matter how common they are can affect some to the point of harming them over time.
It does not hurt to take a minute and use some form of personal protection.

 

[KrisReef]

I also understand that these adhesives are /can be used for replacing stitches in modern medicine. If you develop sensitivity it would be good to put that information into your medical records.

Always tell your doctor!

 

[christinna77]

I also understand that these adhesives are /can be used for replacing stitches in modern medicine. If you develop sensitivity it would be good to put that information into your medical records.

Always tell your doctor!

For sure! I'm planning to mention it to my doctor during the next visit.

 

[UncommonSense]

Here’s a (new to me) warning that’s worth mentioning, regarding all standard silicones used by hobbyists for sump baffles/etc…

Apparently acetic acid does more than smell like vinegar, and corrode metal! — I’ve since adopted a high CFM fume hood, and respirator into my PPE…

 

[christinna77]

Here’s a (new to me) warning that’s worth mentioning, regarding all standard silicones used by hobbyists for sump baffles/etc…

Apparently acetic acid does more than smell like vinegar, and corrode metal! — I’ve since adopted a high CFM fume hood, and respirator into my PPE…

Thanks for the warning!

 

[Fish Fan]

I also understand that these adhesives are /can be used for replacing stitches in modern medicine. If you develop sensitivity it would be good to put that information into your medical records.

Always tell your doctor!

For sure! I'm planning to mention it to my doctor during the next visit.

In my younger-adult days, I worked in a lot of restaurants, and it's indeed an old chef's 'trick' that if you cut yourself (often badly with very sharp knives!), you literally glued it shut with super glue, put a glove on, and got back to serving up the nightly specials

 

[fish_collector]

I have noticed that not all cyanoacrylate glues are equal. I got some extra thick cyanoacrylate in a bigger bottle from Amazon and it doesn't work worth a darn. It has a different odor than I'm familiar with, it's kind of the same but not quite 100%. It doesn't seem to harm corals but I just don't like it.

And I agree some of the acidic smell from silicone is enough to make me nauseous at times. It has never affected me until the last few years.

If any of you are experienced enough (hint-hint) the smell of leaded gasoline used to be the greatest. Nowadays with unleaded gasoline watered down with ethanol a trip to the gas station just isn't the same as it was in 1973

 

[winxp_man]

I have noticed that not all cyanoacrylate glues are equal. I got some extra thick cyanoacrylate in a bigger bottle from Amazon and it doesn't work worth a darn. It has a different odor than I'm familiar with, it's kind of the same but not quite 100%. It doesn't seem to harm corals but I just don't like it.

And I agree some of the acidic smell from silicone is enough to make me nauseous at times. It has never affected me until the last few years.

If any of you are experienced enough (hint-hint) the smell of leaded gasoline used to be the greatest. Nowadays with unleaded gasoline watered down with ethanol a trip to the gas station just isn't the same as it was in 1973

Had a back and forth with an either a member here or on FB about gorilla super glue does not work vs loctite super glue works just fine. He/she was trying to tell me it’s all the same, and I was like come to my place and watch me try to glue a frag with one vs the other and how G glues doesn’t work a crapola vs LT glue both are gel.

I’m blessed to not have had any issues because of chemicals and Lord knows how many types I have used over the years as a contractor, and hobbyist of all types of hobbies! I’m surprised I’m still super healthy and still have a working brain. We do need to watch out though and not be dumb about using chemicals or any types, or touching reef creatures with bare hands, especially zoa’s. Another member here posted a while back about almost losing his finger because of the toxins. That’s when I stopped handing anything with bare hands in my tank aside from fish and new rocks. And even then you get a tang to act wild in your hands you’re gonna end up sliced up like a watermelon! Haha. It happened to my brother.

 

[Joe31415]

Nowadays with unleaded gasoline watered down with ethanol a trip to the gas station just isn't the same as it was in 1973

To be fair, a lot of that is also due to gas stations being required to use nozzles with vapor recovery. Up until, what, the early 90s, you could smell a gas station from half a block away.

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

Thanks for the warning!

 

[Freenow54]

Just a warning for anyone who uses super glue often: always wear gloves and even use a mask for the vapors.

I wasn't careful and often got it on my hands while gluing frags. Within about a year I developed a bad sensitivity to cyanoacrylate. I'd feel fine while using it, but about 6 hours later I'd get stuffed sinuses, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, sore throat and other flu-like symptoms.

Each time I was down for almost a whole week, felt really sick and wasn't able to get any sleep.

I tracked everything I did and super glue was the only thing that lined up every time. Even being in the same room while my partner used it (and when I didn't touch the tank whole day) was enough to trigger symptoms the next day.

I still haven't found a good alternative, since epoxy doesn't work well for frags I move around. Now I have to use a respirator, safety glasses, gloves and keep the room ventilated each time, even if I just need to glue a tiny frag.

Be careful with this stuff, it can really mess you up.

Absolutely great advice. I bought a respirator to use Reef Safe Silicon , Or bodies usually save us from or mistakes but I believe its like a sponge . At some point it will have had enough of your foolishness

 

[keagan]

Here’s a (new to me) warning that’s worth mentioning, regarding all standard silicones used by hobbyists for sump baffles/etc…

Apparently acetic acid does more than smell like vinegar, and corrode metal! — I’ve since adopted a high CFM fume hood, and respirator into my PPE…

It's funny silicone contains 3-10% acetic acid vinegar contains 4-8% at household strength. I've never seen a warning like that on vinegar. My understanding of chemistry is rather poor so I must be missing something why the warning if vinegar doesn't have it? Weird.

 

[UncommonSense]

It's funny silicone contains 3-10% acetic acid vinegar contains 4-8% at household strength. I've never seen a warning like that on vinegar. My understanding of chemistry is rather poor so I must be missing something why the warning if vinegar doesn't have it? Weird.

If I had to guess? It’s a recently discovered phenomenon…

I do know that many of the warnings on products are written in blood… that is, they don’t typically come into effect until there’s documented cases of people being harmed by a product!

 

[Freenow54]

It's funny silicone contains 3-10% acetic acid vinegar contains 4-8% at household strength. I've never seen a warning like that on vinegar. My understanding of chemistry is rather poor so I must be missing something why the warning if vinegar doesn't have it? Weird.

I was the certified health and safety rep at my work. If it is like it is in Canada the rules only apply to Commercial products which is very strict . You are talking about Consumer products . We are on our own in that regard . California considers everything carcinogenic as a note

 

[T-tank]

Just an addition to the ‘be-careful with crazy glue’. Not a health issue, but a crazy glue vs Acrylic tank issue.

I’ve been using a Cglue for a long time, but did not know this: - Crazy glue will chemically scratch/melt acrylic (I always have glass tanks before) . I was gluing frags using crazy glue. Unbeknown to me, a small drop of residue Cglue oozed out of the tip and dropped onto a small puddle of saltwater on top of my acrylic tank . That small saltwater/Cglue puddle then rolled down the side of my tank. I wiped the tank down after the work is done. The wiping action broke the Cglue encapsulated bubble and smear the glue on the side panel. Too late, a big ‘melt’ spot is now on my side panel.

I’m now more aware of my liberal use of crazy glue around and inside my acrylic tank. (Sometimes I get a Cglue glob floating around in my tank…. Not good).

 

[fish_collector]

To be fair, a lot of that is also due to gas stations being required to use nozzles with vapor recovery. Up until, what, the early 90s, you could smell a gas station from half a block away.

Perhaps. Gasoline just doesn't smell the same as it did when it contained tetraethyl lead. I remember going to the gas station with my old man and filling up the station wagon with Ethyl.

Interestingly enough aviation fuel for internal combustion equipped aircraft still contains tetraethyl lead

Now we are for sure OFF TOPIC

 

[BeanAnimal]

Just a warning for anyone who uses super glue often: always wear gloves and even use a mask for the vapors.

I wasn't careful and often got it on my hands while gluing frags. Within about a year I developed a bad sensitivity to cyanoacrylate. I'd feel fine while using it, but about 6 hours later I'd get stuffed sinuses, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, sore throat and other flu-like symptoms.

Each time I was down for almost a whole week, felt really sick and wasn't able to get any sleep.

I tracked everything I did and super glue was the only thing that lined up every time. Even being in the same room while my partner used it (and when I didn't touch the tank whole day) was enough to trigger symptoms the next day.

I still haven't found a good alternative, since epoxy doesn't work well for frags I move around. Now I have to use a respirator, safety glasses, gloves and keep the room ventilated each time, even if I just need to glue a tiny frag.

Be careful with this stuff, it can really mess you up.

The same type of exposure sensitivity can happen with the components that make polyurethane. Hives, dermatitis, breathing issues, flu like symptoms, etc. on related exposure (vapor or skin contact) to isocyanates or even polyols. This can be a permanent sensitivity. I would treat your sensitivity the same way, as the reaction is similar (cyanoacrylate also has highly reactive monomers) and can be cause permanent sensitivity.

In a prior life I pumped millions of pounds of single and plural component poly…. Now even a whiff or skin contact of canned “great stuff” foam curing or Gorilla wood glue is enough to cause me discomfort. I don’t get hives anymore, or at least haven’t had that large of an exposure in decades to test the theory.

 

[Freenow54]

Perhaps. Gasoline just doesn't smell the same as it did when it contained tetraethyl lead. I remember going to the gas station with my old man and filling up the station wagon with Ethyl.

Interestingly enough aviation fuel for internal combustion equipped aircraft still contains tetraethyl lead

Now we are for sure OFF TOPIC

My Son who works at a refinery said they cant during the summer as it evapourates