Reprinted from the ACJ - September, 1993
It's said that if you cut a person of highbrow lineage his or her blood will run blue. If that theory holds, then cutting a radiator repair mechanic should result in his or her blood running that fluorescent yellow-green color. My question is how do you get away with slicing open either of those folks without getting punched or having to remove a socket wrench from certain parts of your anatomy?
The fact of the matter is that for radiator people, coolants are such an integral part of their lives that little if any caution is taken when handling them.
Now I know most of you would laugh out loud if I sat here and wrote that coolants are hazardous chemicals that are dangerous and should be handled by trained professionals using protective equipment in a controlled environment. But since you brought it up … here are some things to keep in mind.
The majority of "antifreeze" is a mixture of ethylene glycol and water with a few additives for stability and lubricity thrown in. In recent years, propylene glycol has been gaining popularity as well. But since the health hazards are similar and documentation is more abundant for ethylene glycol, we will base our discussion on it.
Various sources including the "Hazardous Chemicals Desk Reference" by Irving Sax list a number of both acute and chronic hazards associated with pure ethylene glycol. Coolant mixtures will exhibit these same hazards to a slightly reduced degree.
On the acute side, it is listed as a moderate skin, eye and mucous membrane irritant. It is also listed as a toxic by both inhalation and ingestion. The "Merc Index" reports an experimental lethal dose of ethylene glycol for humans of 100 milliliters (ml), just a Dixie cup full of pure ethylene glycol. That translates into two or three times that amount of diluted coolant, but still the danger exists.
Granted it would be hard to chug down a whole glass before you realize it, but keep an eye on children and grandchildren visiting the shop. Not
only is the coolant color enticing to young eyes, but coolant has a slightly sweet taste and the amount needed to harm children is a good deal less than for an adult.
There are numerous stories of cats going belly up after drinking from a puddle or licking their paws clean. I'm not a big fan of cats, but the loss of the family pet is still a bummer.
Poisoning results in a somewhat intoxicated feeling followed by nervous system depression. So it's a drink with a costly hangover. Repeated small doses over the years can result in chronic problems with your kidneys. Inhalation of ethylene glycol mist is cited as being very toxic.
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) even lists ethylene glycol mist as a fire hazard. I would guess in a water mixture, though, that danger is greatly reduced.
Assuming that drinking and breathing coolant is not terribly likely, let's spend a minute discussing the more common physical hazards associated with cooling system repair. The pressure that builds up in the system is the biggest contributor to injury. Ruptured hoses or improperly vented radiator caps can spray 200+° F (93+º C) liquid in all directions.
Not only will a nasty steam burn result, but the skin and eye irritation increases with increased temperature. Fan blades are a dangerous part of system repair as has been documented in past articles in the ACJ. Some terrible injuries have occurred not only from defective fan blades but from ones operating as they were designed.
As a closing reminder, treat system coolants with a little respect and always keep a watchful eye on all the moving parts under the hood including fans and belts. Watch so shirt sleeves, long hair or necklaces don't become entangled, pulling you in.
And while you're at it, keep an eye out for someone sneaking up behind you plotting an experiment to see what color a radiatorman's blood really is.
The above article was written by David M. Brown, Chief Engineer of Johnson Manufacturing Company, Inc. and is published by JOHNSON with the expressed approval of the National Automotive Radiator Service Association and the Automotive Cooling Journal. Other reproduction or distribution of this information is forbidden without the written consent of JOHNSON and NARSA/ACJ. All rights reserved.
JOHNSON MANUFACTURING COMPANY
114 Lost Grove Road / PO Box 96 / Princeton, Iowa 52768-0096
Phone 563-289-5123 or Fax 563-289-3825