About my recent post, the fumes of smoke units in steam locos, are dangerous? When I run my MTH K´4 in my train room, the smoke seems to be very “heavy”, and I´m affraid that it is not good for us. Thanks
Doc:
I saw your recent concern about isopropyl alcohol and the replies you recieved. Smoke of any kind is another concern. Smoke is composed largely of small particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs. Depending on the composition of the particles the risk varies. Inhaling any kind of smoke can do damage if the amount is sufficient.
Joe
Do yourself a favour. If you find that the air you’re breathing is rather heavy–discontinue the smoke from the locos----I’m not sure whether any studies have been done on the pellets or whatever but we in the healtfield are a little nervous around this smoke/asthma thing.
Also–try to get proper ventilation into that basement or wherever your train layout is–
Have a good’un–
It’s probably a carcinagen in Calif!![:-^]
Really, if you can see, smell or not smell it, it’s probably not good for you!![:)]
P.S. I smoked for 37 years and gave it up 15+ years ago - the side effects are showing up now - breathing, heart problems, etc!!
Health issues aside, I can’t stand going to a club open house or a train show where there are dozens of these things polluting the hall. It makes it very unpleasant, and yes, I’ve come out of shows with my throat irritated and my eyes burning.
Yes, it’s sure fun to watch, but come on, boys… enough’s enough!
Lee
I am not sure what ‘medical’ issues there are, but some folks seem to be allergic to the ‘smoke’ from the trains. Myself, I just do not like the smell and the ‘residue’ that gets on everything. I was at a train show last year when the exhibitors had to sign a document that they would stop using ‘smoke devices’ if there was complaints about the smoke.
Jim
Beside any health and nusience issues, I also agree with Jim as the smoke allows a film to coat everything. Smoke units are no longer allowed in our club. The track showed signs of problems first. Who knows what it does to everything else.
Nearly all smoke fluids are oil based. Breathing fumes from hot oil is not good for your health. As others have written, some people are allergic to this artificial smoke.
I will not go to a train show where Lionel trains are running and making smoke, not because I’m allergic to it but because I can’t stand the smell of it. It makes my eyes sting and burn, and I don’t like exposing myself to it. I ask at the door if smoke is being used by any of the layouts and if it is I turn around and leave before paying any admission charges.
The oder is pretty strong. I smelled it as soon as I walked into convention center at the recent WGH show. And the show was actually 2 floors down!!![:O]
Even if the smoke is harmless to health, don’t forget that all those particles are landing on everything in the room.
If you want to use it, I would suggest using it sparingly.
So, what about a “class action” against some well known model maker “court friendly” ???
Evertime I go to a train show wheather it be Allentown PA or Timonium MD and the large scale layouts are there : Lionel ,G guagers and so forth and they have there smokers running I turn around and walk away because it effects my sinuses in a way that it feels like my throat consticts and gets dried out and I start caughing.[:O][xx(][banghead][:(]
I would rather be in a room full of people after a beans burbon and cabbage eating contest than have to deal with toy train smoke. [swg][:D][D)]
YEAH! THAT will help keep our hobbys prices down![:-^]
Now that would be hard to take, and don’t even light a match!!!
All I know is that after a two-day train show running an HO modular layout across the aisle from a large O gauge layout with smoke-equipped locomotives, it took me three days to get the taste of smoke oil out of the back of my throat.
Needless to say, I’m not exactly a big fan of smoking model locomotives.
How about a class action law suite agains MTH - I don’t think Mike is very “law concious”[:-^]
Guys:
Many of you have mentioned the accumulation of an oily residue on things near these smokers. When you inhale smoke you deposit the same crud in your lungs and, if it mineral oil based, it doesn’t come out and it can cause irritation and tissue damage. Besides, the smoke looks rather silly anyway.
Joe
Oh–Wouldn’t that be a treat!!![(-D][:-^]
I have a bottle or two of mega steam, it states on the bottle if you cant see the other side of the layout than there is too much smoke.
So, does anybody know the smofe fluid components?