Reprinted from the ACJ - September, 1995
It's a fine morning here in Coretown. Let's look in at the goings-on down at the local radiator shop...
"Good morning Madge."
"How are things going Jim?"
"Well, not too bad, business is good," Jim says as he sits down across the bench from Madge. "But you know, all this radiator work has left my hands rough and cracking."
Madge looks up from her work. "Jim, I have just the thing," she says. Madge rubs a fragrant hand cream into Jim's red, raw hands. She then lowers them into a vat of solution.
Making small talk, Jim comments, "I just can't seem to brush off enough of the junk and corrosion from the cores these days."
"It's a common problem," Madge replies. "Have you tried a heated boilout compound?"
"I thought about it," Jim answers, "but I was afraid it may be hard on my hands. What do you suggest, Madge?"
Madge looks up slyly. "You're soaking in it."
Jim pulls his hands from the caustic solution expecting to find his fingers slowly disintegrating. Much to his surprise and delight, he feels no pain and sees no burns. Madge just smiles at him and explains she has applied one of the many "barrier" hand creams available for use in industry today.
What is a barrier hand cream? Can it do what it advertises? Is it the answer to our hand protection problems? The answer is a resounding Yes and No.
Barrier creams are both a saving grace and an injury waiting to happen. The problem is in our understanding of the limitations of barrier creams — when they are effective and when they are not.
Dermatitis, or skin irritation, is the most common work-related injury in industry. This is especially true in the radiator business, where our hands see various chemicals, excessive grease and numerous hand washings.
One way to prevent skin irritation is to wear gloves. But gloves are bulky and/or the thin latex type rip easily. Also, some people are allergic to the latex used in some gloves. So the use of a hand cream that rubs into your hands, doesn't feel greasy and seals your skin against moisture sounds like a perfect solution. It can be, but not in all situations.
Barrier creams are formulated in two basic styles. One employs a petroleum base and when rubbed in resists the penetration of liquids, but it may not completely seal your hands from the more aggressive chemicals. The other formula contains silicone or dimethicone. Both of these chemicals show decent chemical resistance as well as form a watertight layer over your skin while still allowing gas/air exchange.
Both styles of barrier creams also contain many of the ingredients found in regular hand cream, such as lanolin, aloe and vitamin E, to help keep your skin healthy. It is the hydrophobic (anti-water) property of these creams that keeps liquids from contacting your skin.
You may have seen a demonstration in which a person wearing a barrier cream pours hydrochloric acid over their hand with no ill effects. Very impressive, but don't try it at home. It's a waste of acid and possibly your wristwatch.
The point of the demonstration is that the chemical resistance of the cream is indeed excellent. And it is, as long as the barrier layer is fresh and intact. The problem with these lotions hinges around the duration of the protection and our ability to decide when it's time to reapply.
Both styles of cream will wear off in three to five hours, or sooner if your hands are working hard that day. Barrier creams must be applied frequently. Rubbing a new coat on every hour may be necessary. Allow the layer to dry completely before getting your hands wet. Normal washing of your hands is not supposed to remove the cream, but if the rinse water doesn't bead up after washing, reapply.
Recognizing when the cream's protection is fading is a difficult task. Most barrier creams are translucent and give no indication when they are wearing off. A glove with a hole in it is obvious, a thinning layer of cream not so obvious.
Always choose a barrier cream designed and advertised to withstand shop chemicals, acids, alkalis, solvents. The silicone-based style seems to work best for our industry. These are excellent for keeping grease and oil from penetrating into the pores of your skin.
Before letting everyone in the shop use the stuff, you may want to do a test run yourself. If the test period leaves your hands in bad shape, at least the rest of the guys can still get the work done.
My personal opinion is to use the barrier creams as a second line of defense behind a pair of gloves designed to resist shop chemicals. Rub in the cream, but also wear gloves. You won't have to worry if the cream is still working, and any chemicals that splash over the cuff or sneak in through a small rip in the glove will not cause irritation.
Now that everyone who went for a snack when this commercial break started has returned, let's join our regularly scheduled daily routine already in progress.
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