Is plastic cement hazardous?

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**LunaHound**

Every single time i use plastic cement my chest starts been congested , at first i thought it was due to the cold weather
and maybe i have a cold or something. But its too much of a coincidence , so im pretty sure its effecting the mucus
in my chest / lung area , does anyone know whats going on?

**filbert**

As with any chemical, I doubt it is advantageous to inhale or ingest it. If you seem to be feeling symptoms when using it, then I would suggest getting some ventilation; either open a window or if it is too cold, have a desk fan type thing to disperse the fumes.

**Chimera_Calvin**

Is it plastic cement you're using or liquid poly?

Liquid poly is more volatile and so more likely to effect you. If that's what you're using try the thicker cement. If you're getting the reaction from cement you may have a bad reaction to the solvents used.

If it happens regularly take the cement to your doctor and explain the symptoms - you may have a mild allergic reaction to it which could be easily treated. Remember, though, its only toy soldiers at the end of the day and really not worth getting ill for!

**LunaHound**

I use Testor's Plastic Cement

**filbert**

According to the Testor's website, they offer both a 'standard' and a non-toxic variety of plastic cement. I think if you look closely at the packaging, it should display an image if it is an irritant, similar to one below:

http://chemistry.about.com/od/safetysignsandsymbols/ig/Poison-Warning-Signs/Harmful-or-Irritant-Sign.htm

Caveat - I don't know if this is true abroad or not, presumably each country has different regulations on hazardous materials.

**Chimera_Calvin**

Never used Testor's myself - but its possible they may use a different solvent base to other brands. Try a diffent make (I always use Humbrol Liquid Poly myself) and see if you still feel the same.

**chromedog**

The solvent in the regular one is Toluene.
1% solution usually. It can provoke respiratory distress in those susceptible (my wife has asthma and doesn't like me using it indoors while she's home).

It also causes cancer in white rats (but what doesn't give those furry little buggers cancer? De-ionised water gives them cancer.)

**LunaHound**

Im trying to figure out why is it so bad this time.

Maybe its from gluing things 4 days in a roll.
Or perhaps something to do with a piece of plastic piece falling into the glue + dissolved in it.

**Chimera_Calvin**

Overdoing things is always bad - a friend once re-fletched 50 arrows over the course of an evening (fletching glue is pretty strong anyway) whilst drinking 1/2 a bottle of brandy.

The phrase 'away with the fairies' sprang to mind

**filbert**

LunaHound wrote:
Or perhaps something to do with a piece of plastic piece falling into the glue + dissolved in it.

That might have something to do with it. I should think that a piece of plastic (size dependant) would probably release a fair amount of fumes.

**chromedog**

Do you do your gluing in a confined space with inadequate ventilation?

Take breaks, go and breathe fresh(er) air. I have a fan blowing and the back door and kitchen windows open when I do my gluing. The fumes get moved away.

**H.B.M.C.**

I drink that stuff by the gallon. It'll grow hairs on your chest, that's for sure.

Not sure how useful that'd be to you though, Luna.

GW super-glue makes my throat sore when I breath in the fumes. Generally speaking though most fumes like that aren't good for you. Maybe set up a small fan blowing away from you or across you to take some of it away.

**Infneon**

Anything with fumes is going to mess you up slightly, as others have suggested, use the stuff in a large, ventilated environment if it's effecting you in any negative ways. I know for a fact me and the Citadel Poly glue do not get on. I've just finished a 'cron battleforce and the glue destroyed my throat, felt like replaced it sand paper

**lixulana**

sounds like a mild allergic reaction of some kind, and like most people say better ventalation, and no more 4 day glueing binges.

**SlaveToDorkness**

Is it Testors cement in a tube, or testors liquid with the brush?

The tube variety comes in non-toxic and I've never had any issues.

GW glue always gives me an inflammation of the wallet!

**Fishboy**

GW glue always gives me an DE-flammation of the wallet!

Fixed that for you hehe. And yes the plastic glue that is the toxic version can attack the mucas membranes causing you to phlem up in the chest.

**cuscus**

chromedog wrote:The solvent in the regular one is Toluene.
1% solution usually. It can provoke respiratory distress in those susceptible (my wife has asthma and doesn't like me using it indoors while she's home).

It also causes cancer in white rats (but what doesn't give those furry little buggers cancer? De-ionised water gives them cancer.)

This just in:
Cause of cancer in rats found: Scientists.

(Couldn't resist. I used to be a cancer researcher.)

Here is an MSDS for toluene: http://polymer.matscieng.sunysb.edu/msds/toluene.pdf

Note the Inhalation section: "causing coughing and wheezing"

**Shas'O Dorian**

I did have a problem with it once, but I had just gotten 2 people into the hobby & myself had just started tyranids so we were putting together 3 battleforces at once, in a basement at that lol.
Opened the windows & put fans in them to get good circulation & that fixed the problem.

**Grimhowl**

As someone who gets headaches from the Testors Liquid cement just being open at a table near me. I'd re-iterate what everyone has said about adequate ventiliation.
If you can find the Testors non-toxic in the tube(should have a pale blue label) try that instead of what you have been using. It sounds like you may have a pool of glue out that you are dipping the parts into.
if that's the case, it may be a large part of the problem. When I'm working with stuff like this I have to constantly replace the lid or I can't deal with the fumes. if you have a pool of it on your table you may be inhaling more of it than you would if you applied it in a different way. I'd also try out other brands and see if their mix of solvents is less aggravating to your lungs.

**JohnHwangDD**

@Luna: whether you're using liquid or gel, there are solvent vapors that you shouldn't be inhaling. Liquid is far worse, tho...

Try gluing with a fan blowing and the door open.

**Kanluwen**

And don't ever just have a puddle of the stuff laying around, even if it is non-toxic.

"Dipping" the parts into glue isn't a bright idea anyways, since once the glue(depending on the type) comes into contact with the plastic it begins melting/altering the piece to ensure it sticks.

But anyways, ventilation or a respirator. I've got a hypersensitivity to cyanoacrylic glue where it causes my eyes to water and throat to start closing up. Not really fun when you're working on delicate resin pieces.

**Grot 6**

LunaHound wrote:I use Testor's Plastic Cement

yes Luna.

DON'T use that stuff, it's really not a good fit on GW's plastic, and it doesn't really take to thier metals at all.

I use Zap a Gap. 30 second hold time. Don't need to huff it either. a couple of drops will do you.

Keep it off of the fingers though, You'll stick them together.

**Saldiven**

There are a number of potential issues with using plastic cement.

As previously mentioned, Toluene is a pretty strong solvent that kills just about any cell it comes in contact with. The stuff you get in model glue is only like 1% Toluene, but you should still only use it in a well ventilated area.

Also, the fumes from solvents like Toluene can inhibit your lungs' ability to uptake oxygen. This can induce hypoxia if the concentration of the fumes is too high in the air you're trying to breath; the "high" that kids who sniff glue get is actually a manifestation of this hypoxia.

So, pretty much, don't use it in an enclosed room with poor air circulation. If you have to use the stuff, open a window or something.

**Leigen_Zero**

I'd say that adequate ventilation would be your friend.

FLGS is pretty bad on ventilation (not really thier fault, more a location + cost of installation of good venting thing)

Needless to say, by the end of game night the conversation always tends towards... the surreal...

And hey, it's better than my superglue (cheap poundshop stuff), unless the bottle has had a little time unsealed to react with the air it heats up like a bitch when it cures, causes tiny burns if you get it on your hands lol!

**JohnHwangDD**

CA on plastic? Not good - it makes a very brittle joint. Plus, you need to *really* degrease before building.

Testors gel works great on GW plastic - strong, clean joints with decent work time while building.

**Nurglitch**

Hey, funny story, completed unrelated, but back when I was a teenager I was invited to a party at a friend's place where the parents had decided to redo their basement, and so figured we'd have a good time wreaking it. To that end they supplied lots of spray-paint. So we went crazy spray-painting without ventilation and it turned into a pretty crazy night - even the air upstairs was hazy until all the windows and doors got open! My snot was multi-coloured for days afterwards...

**Kilkrazy**

Anything containing organic solvents can affect you. That's why people sniff glue. Any glue or paint should be used in small quantities or in a well ventilated area.

The cement I use for plastic models is Ambroid Proweld. The bottle is clearly marked Caution: Vapor Harmful. Harmful if swallowed. It also says it contains a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer.

**JohnHwangDD**

@KK: As a Californian, to be fair, practically *everything* contains something known to cause cancer as far as the State of Kalifornia is concerned.

**LunaHound**

- Its the glass bottled paint on type. WIth violet package

- I dont dip the pieces into the bottle , thats crazy!

- I dont use plastic cement on metal... i dont imagine its possible for it to work

- I bought a new bottle , fresh without melted plastic in it. Will see if it smells less.

**anooci**

I have the non-toxic Testors plastic glue, and it's awful. =/ Supposedly my boyfriend put together 1000 points of Nids with it no problem, but I can't get ANYTHING to stick when I use it. And no, I'm not using it improperly. :(

I would advise opening a window or turning a fan on. You're supposed to use it in a ventilated area anyways, eh?