This stuff would be impossible to use if it had a flashpoint of 65 degrees Fahrenheit! What say we try Centigrade?
I doubt that the formula has changed in the last three years, the older stuff may be a different formula/ratio.
You’re confusing “flashpoint” with “spontaneous combustion.” It may be a bit of an oversimplification, but at 65 degrees, enough fumes are generated that a spark or flame will ignite it.
From Section IV: FLASH POINT (SFCC): 65 deg.F
Have you ever had gasoline in an open container? The flashpoint is below -49 degrees farenheit (yes, that’s a negative sign in front of the 49). Autoignition of gasoline happens at 536 deg farenheit per the Chevron MSDS for regular unleaded gasoline.
Okay! maybe this stuff would not be impossible to use. I do remember that it - like so many other flammable materials I encountered over the years - warned to “KEEP AWAY FROM OPEN FLAMES! USE ONLY IN A WELL VENTILATED SPACE!” I almost always used this stuff out-of-doors and I admit to smoking in its vicinity but I sure never came to griefs with it nor do I know (personally) of anyone who did! And as far as carcinogens go I have always ignored those in the past and will continue to do so in the future; except for Ice Cream there is little I consume in one gallon at a sitting portions which seems to be one of the criteria for inducing cancer in rats. Neither have I ever heard of anyone smoking one cigar and dieing of cancer from the experience which is the whole second-hand smoke rational. As a heart patient I wasn’t supposed to be smoking anyway but I my prime motivation for giving up smoking was mainly because I wanted the widow-lady next door to become my wife and I knew she would not do so if I continued to smoke - plus
No study at all. Xylene is an “Aromatic,” i.e., benzene-ring-based hydrocarbon. The aromatics are well known, and have been for years, as having carcinogenic properties.
By the way, thanks to the person who posted the “official” percentage makeup of DioSol. I see there’s other nasty stuff in there too, like naptha, which is a central nervous system depressant.
Every time I walk by a nail salon — of which there seems to be and endless supply in my neighborhood — I feel (and I really mean this very sincerely) for the staffs of Korean and Chinise girls who have to inhale stuff like this all day. They’re getting exposed to more of it than model railroaders ever do. I wouldn’t bet much on their longevity.
While I’m on the subject, years ago I used to clean my brushes and airbrush and, stupidly, my hands too, in trichloroethylene which has since been banned!! That stuff attacks your liver. Fortunately I do not have any signs of ill effects from it.
I was pleased to see, and I think Floquil deserves great credit for, switching to petroleum distillate solvent, which is less toxic, and has a higher flash point than, other solvents. My comments should not be taken to mean that it’s harmless. No organic solvent is — even ethanol, which my wife and I drink with dinner every night.
Tom is absolutely correct. I’ve used this stuff, but only in a laboratory fume hood, and it would be my recommendation not to use it without proper ventilation.
TC:
Yes, it is an aromatic compound. Yes, the aromatics are well known. No, not all aromatics are carcinogens.
Here are some aromatic compounds too:
Benzoic acid. Not a carcinogen.
Acetylsalicylic acid. Also called aspirin. Being researched for actual cancer-preventative properties.
Methyl salicylate. Used in pain relievers and wintergreen flavorings. Not carcinogenic.
Benzalkonium chloride. Important disinfectant…i.e. Lysol. Not a carcinogen.
Caffeine.
Aromatics are EVERYWHERE. They are in our DNA!
It’s not the benzene ring that causes cancer. It’s the metabolic products. Derivatives of benzene are broken down into different products. You can’t just say “It’s aromatic, aromatic BAD”. Because without them, we would not exist.
But really, “no study” is all that needs to be said, isn’t it? 
I’m sorry if I’m being a little rambunctious here. I believe very strongly in being careful. But there is a difference between precaution and the abject, uninformed terror of a superstitious caveman, which is what I see too many people treat OH NO CHEMICALS as. Look for information, not hysteria. Information is very easy to find. It’s often only a Google away (which also runs into some easily filtrable hysteria).
BTW, that ethanol consumed with dinner is, like naphtha, a central nervous system depressant.
[quote user=“Autobus Prime”]
TC:
Yes, it is an aromatic compound. Yes, the aromatics are well known. No, not all aromatics are carcinogens.
Here are some aromatic compounds too:
Benzoic acid. Not a carcinogen.
Acetylsalicylic acid. Also called aspirin. Being researched for actual cancer-preventative properties.
Methyl salicylate. Used in pain relievers and wintergreen flavorings. Not carcinogenic.
Benzalkonium chloride. Important disinfectant…i.e. Lysol. Not a carcinogen.
Caffeine.
Aromatics are EVERYWHERE. They are in our DNA!
It’s not the benzene ring that causes cancer. It’s the metabolic products. Derivatives of benzene are broken down into different products. You can’t just say “It’s aromatic, aromatic BAD”. Because without them, we would not exist.
But really, “no study” is all that needs to be said, isn’t it?
I’m sorry if I’m being a little rambunctious here. I believe very strongly in being careful. But there is a difference between precaution and the abject, uninformed terror of a superstitious caveman, which is what I see too many people treat OH NO CHEMICALS as. Look for information, not hysteria. Information is very easy to find. It’s often only a Google away (which also runs into some easily filtrable hysteria).
BTW, that ethanol consumed with dinner is, like naphtha, a central nervous system depressa
[quote user=“sfcouple”]
[quote user=“Autobus Prime”]
TC:
Yes, it is an aromatic compound. Yes, the aromatics are well known. No, not all aromatics are carcinogens.
Here are some aromatic compounds too:
Benzoic acid. Not a carcinogen.
Acetylsalicylic acid. Also called aspirin. Being researched for actual cancer-preventative properties.
Methyl salicylate. Used in pain relievers and wintergreen flavorings. Not carcinogenic.
Benzalkonium chloride. Important disinfectant…i.e. Lysol. Not a carcinogen.
Caffeine.
Aromatics are EVERYWHERE. They are in our DNA!
It’s not the benzene ring that causes cancer. It’s the metabolic products. Derivatives of benzene are broken down into different products. You can’t just say “It’s aromatic, aromatic BAD”. Because without them, we would not exist.
But really, “no study” is all that needs to be said, isn’t it?
I’m sorry if I’m being a little rambunctious here. I believe very strongly in being careful. But there is a difference between precaution and the abject, uninformed terror of a superstitious caveman, which is what I see too many people treat OH NO CHEMICALS as. Look for information, not hysteria. Information is very easy to find. It’s often only a Google away (which also runs into some easily filtrable hysteria).
BTW, that ethanol consumed with dinner is, like naphtha, a central
Fascinating to see a hobby-based forum such as this take a huge segue into something as erudite as organic chemistry . . . Oh well, I started it.
What next I wonder . . . moral theology?
TC:
[:D] [:D] [:D]
Good call.
If this was Usenet, we’d probably be well into Aquinas already.
I can just see it…
Point taken. I was just thinking how a cavalier attitude about potentially harmful chemicals might appear to some of the younger readers of this forum. One shouldn’t fear chemicals, but they do need to be respected and handled properly. I was concerned that someone, say 12 or 13 years old without a science background, might get the wrong impression about some of the chemicals used in this hobby on a daily basis. I’d rather be safe than sorry.
If someone would like to discuss this further a PM or email may be more appropriate.
Wayne
According to what I have read here and on the old Substitutes for Floquil Thinner? topic, if these old Floquil solvent-based paints are salvagable I am going to look for - carcinogen or not carcinogen; flammable or not flammable - good ol’ dyed-in-the-wool-garden-variety lacquer thinner as a substitute for the old style Dio-Sol. At least I’m going to give it the good ol’ Buckle-Down-Winsocki-Win-One-For-The-Gipper-College-Try!
To use Dio-Sol is immoral,corrupt,unethical etc,ect…
Hows that?
Forget the thousands of us has use it for years with no ill-effects.
Someone once suggested putting bottles of jelled paint into an ultrasonic cleaner make the them usable. IIRC, after the bath in the ultrasonic cleaner, he strained the paint and was able to use it.
Heard that! I don’t need an MSD sheet. I prefer to use common sense.[:-^]