How Dangerous Is Fiebing's Oil Dye?

[HerukaAvatar]

On 4/7/2012 at 6:49 AM, Chavez said:

Hi!

Having read a few topics on water-based dyes, I decided that I'd really like to know just how dangeroud fiebing's oil pro dyes (and isopropyl in particular) are.

Firstly, in terms of inhalation while dyeing: is this a case of a couple dead brain cells or is it so hazardous that I should try and reduce my exposure to it as much as possible (wear a gas mask ) ?

Secondly, how safe is this dye if it is applied to a product for a little kid (say 2y/o) who might chew on it and do any other crazy things to it that kids tend to do (say, shove it up his nose:) )?

Thank you for your advice!

In terms of hazmat: you can always look up : Hazmat isopropyl. However isopropyl is very similar (one extra carbon) to ethanol (or ethyl alcohol) which people drink to intoxicate themselves. That said, it's sold as a disinfectant you can directly apply to your blood. Not too bad there. However: "2-(2-ethoxyethoxy) ethanol" is a hazard, and pretty out of the ordinary, can cause birth defects (likely why it's banned in CA). If you, or your partner are expecting to conceive soon (a) you should stay away from it, (b) she should not be exposed  AT ALL. Methyl Violet is also listed in their ingredients which is also pretty bad. 

If you are are a regular user of these, you could try a gas mask, however most times these molecules (acetone, ethanol, isopropyl) are all small enough they will pass right through a gas mask, because these molecules are only slightly larger than say, oxygen, or carbon dioxide. So: most of the actual dye colors will be what's toxic I think - as well as 2-(2-ethoxyethoxy) ethanol . And gas masks will likely stop none of these solvents UNLESS you have a gasmask with an air  canister: ie. you are breathing from a tank. The hazards of chemistry is that oftentimes the molecules we're trying to hide from are... tiny. I'm saying this with a BS in Chemistry from many years ago. Chemists usually live about 10 years less than most folks.


below is chemicals in fiebing's dye.
https://www.weaverleather.com/docs/default-source/sds/50-2047-bk.pdf?sfvrsn=1e4792a7_0

[TomE]

My 2 cents as a retired biochemist. The notable ingredients of Fiebings Pro Dye - isopropanol, ethyl acetate, and xylene - are not highly toxic, and on par with paint thinner. Don’t drink it and avoid skin contact. It is flammable.  Isopropanol is the disinfecting alcohol used in doctors offices. Xylene and ethyl acetate are solvents found on lots of home products. Can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation if you have high level exposure. I’d be more concerned about the fire hazard. These are all highly volatile and won’t leave a residue in the leather after the dye is dry. The pigments in these dyes are not disclosed, could be problematic, but are present in smaller amounts. Bottom line - keep away from flame, wear gloves (nitrile), and use in a well ventilated area. 

[Doc Reaper]

So in short 

use in a well ventilated area (use a fan to push or pull fumes away) do my use ANY leather dye as mouthwash, gargle with, drink or smoke, do not bath or shower with (this includes douching), do not dry mass quantities and use as chewing gum, do not use as tatto ink, nor should it be used as eye makeup or liner, lipstick and rouge are strongly discouraged, do not use as rectal bleaching or coloring, do not dry to a powder and snort through nostrils, do not use as ear wash, should never be used as eye drops, 

I believe I have covered most of the things you should never do with any dye! But in the same breath I have never seen a puppy get sick after chewing up an expensive pair of Italian dress shoes! 
 

do not let children chew on leather - dyed or not!!!

[chuck123wapati]

5 hours ago, Doc Reaper said:

So in short 

use in a well ventilated area (use a fan to push or pull fumes away) do my use ANY leather dye as mouthwash, gargle with, drink or smoke, do not bath or shower with (this includes douching), do not dry mass quantities and use as chewing gum, do not use as tatto ink, nor should it be used as eye makeup or liner, lipstick and rouge are strongly discouraged, do not use as rectal bleaching or coloring, do not dry to a powder and snort through nostrils, do not use as ear wash, should never be used as eye drops, 

I believe I have covered most of the things you should never do with any dye! But in the same breath I have never seen a puppy get sick after chewing up an expensive pair of Italian dress shoes! 
 

do not let children chew on leather - dyed or not!!!

 

i have to laugh when i remember those chemistry sets that were sold back in the day for kids Christmas. They had all the goodies plus a Bunsen burner. Todays parents would literally freak out, all my dad told me was don't eat anything and don't burn the house down.

[chuck123wapati]

On 4/7/2012 at 7:49 AM, Chavez said:

Hi!

Having read a few topics on water-based dyes, I decided that I'd really like to know just how dangeroud fiebing's oil pro dyes (and isopropyl in particular) are.

Firstly, in terms of inhalation while dyeing: is this a case of a couple dead brain cells or is it so hazardous that I should try and reduce my exposure to it as much as possible (wear a gas mask ) ?

Secondly, how safe is this dye if it is applied to a product for a little kid (say 2y/o) who might chew on it and do any other crazy things to it that kids tend to do (say, shove it up his nose:) )?

Thank you for your advice!

you should read up on how dangerous refined sugar really is instead, it literally kills thousands of people daily. but it tastes so yummy and is so addicting no one cares. People feed it to their kids from birth unknowingly and ignorantly creating a life long addiction to one of the greatest health problems currently on earth.

[fredk]

15 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said:

 

i have to laugh when i remember those chemistry sets that were sold back in the day for kids Christmas. They had all the goodies plus a Bunsen burner. Todays parents would literally freak out, all my dad told me was don't eat anything and don't burn the house down.

My set had a meths burner, basically a small lidded jar with a wick. Fill with methylated sprits and light up. One time I spilt some meths across the kitchen worktop. Lit the burner . . . . . . . and the worktop was a-flame as well! I got the fire out with wet tea towels thrown on. No-one ever noticed the scorch marks on the cabinet doors above the worktop

When I got my set I was just told 'don't blow the house up, ha ha'    Nearly did a few times. Made plenty of 'stink bombs' and sold them to school chums for a goodly profit

[chuck123wapati]

1 hour ago, fredk said:

My set had a meths burner, basically a small lidded jar with a wick. Fill with methylated sprits and light up. One time I spilt some meths across the kitchen worktop. Lit the burner . . . . . . . and the worktop was a-flame as well! I got the fire out with wet tea towels thrown on. No-one ever noticed the scorch marks on the cabinet doors above the worktop

When I got my set I was just told 'don't blow the house up, ha ha'    Nearly did a few times. Made plenty of 'stink bombs' and sold them to school chums for a goodly profit

lol mine  they call them bunsen burners over here, had denatured alcohol, dropped it on my bedroom rug, you cant see alcohol flames just a brown burn spot on the rug getting bigger and bigger. Got my butt tanned real good for that one.

[Tugadude]

I had the chemistry set as a kid and somehow I survived it.  What is missing these days is some good old common sense.  Anything can be dangerous in the wrong hands.  Even pure water can kill people if they drink too much and unfortunately it does happen.  I umpire little league and one of my fellow umps nearly died one extremely hot afternoon because all he did was drink water and his electrolytes got out of whack.  He was out (unconscious) for several minutes, scaring the crap out of everyone there.  Thank God the EMTs were able to get an IV into him and get him going pretty quickly.  

There is always risk when using chemicals.  Some are safer than others but each and every one has its recommended precautions and handling requirements.  

All can be found by looking up the product's SDS, Safety Data Sheet, which used to be called MSDS, Material Safety Data Sheet.  Don't know why it changed, but it did.

I use them regularly in my business of construction chemicals.  They literally can be a lifesaver.