Congratulations and thank you to Bob Smith Industries! That's about the clearest, most informative (without going into too much detail), and reassuring info sheet I've seen! I believe it addresses every issue and question brought up about CA here on RCU.

Thank you, Teachu2, for posting it. I'm gonna make a copy and keep it on hand.

Dr.1

I'll second that DR1. I think paragraph 2 (more or less) should be pretty prominently displayed in the ad for the various CAs. It's not going to stop the purchase but it might help prevent medical problems in a lot of hobbyists. Especially those new to (or restarting) the hobby.

[Id still like to see a slowdown in the wholesale use of CA.]

Regards

All the different adhesives we use have their place in the hobby. For me, CA is the best thing since sliced bread. I distinctly remember building control line planes in my youth. I'd use countless pins to hold the wing ribs to the spars, then apply Elmer's to the joints and go upstairs to let it all dry overnight. It took 3 days to build a wing. With my limited building time now, CA is a blessing. It's like Monokote and Ultracote - makes things so much quicker. All we modelers need to do is use a little caution.

Dr.1

I am highly allergic to regular CA. The odor free type doesn't bother me nearly as much. I'm also allergic to the kicker.

I'm not bothered at all now when I use CA. A couple of years ago I bought a respirator made by MSA (Mine Safety Appliances) from Home Depot. I also bought a cartridge used for hydrocarbons or organic vapors. It's quick and easy to slip on even if I'm just gluing one joint. It can be removed a couple of minutes after the joint sets up. When I faithfully use this I am never bothered by CA. It was a small price to pay for my health.

Just for information.
Most solvents and industrial chemicals will cause problems at some time. The fumes from monocote have to be bad, ca is bad, acetone in ambroid is bad, resorcinol glue is poisinous (although I can't remember why), gasoline and jet fuel most likely still contain benzine, mek will mess up your liver, aircraft dope has lord only knows what that smells so good, polyurethane paint will definetely not do you any good although I am not sure about the glue but the fumes can't be good. There are many more in the same categories. I can tell you this from experience, having worked with all of these for 55 years in the aviation industry (ca only since 1965) I am having not only allergies but a medical problem which they think is caused by chemical exposure. Unfortunately the info was not readily available for years and then a lot of people didn't realize that it was serious when it was finally handed out (like me). So please use a mask or something to protect yourself as this stuff causes not only breathing problems that you have seen but genetic damage and cancer is also a possibilty like balsa dust (or I suspect any other sanding dust.
Charliek

Here is a BIG THANK YOU from me, I knew ca and all the other stuff was a problem but did not think about it much. I am printing this out and keeping it. I will also set up vents and a fan etc and masks etc.
I just got back into flying and started putting planes together a month ago and was using ca's , epoxy , etc without any thought. Now I come down with a cold, if it is a cold??????

Stick, about 20 years ago when I was building my first Ziroli Corsair was the first time I had used CA extensively. I came down with what I thought was a case of the flue with asthma. I don't remember all of the details but it was all due to CA. I have been pretty careful ever since.

Hi CharlieK.

This is great information, unfortunately to late for meI've developed allergies for the first time in my life (at age 75). I guess I thought I could outlast this stuff and was not careful about ventilation while building my Ziroli Corsair. I have a respirator and will now use it any time I use CA.
Much Thanks to you all

nauticom, from what I've found once you become sensitized to CA you stay sensitized the rest of your life. The good news is that a good respirator can completely eliminate the symptoms.

I just resarted in the Hobby last year after a 25 year absence. Obviously building techniques have changed. On my third plane, I started getting flu-like symptoms with severe sneezing. I got over it without realizing what the problem was.

I recently was working on another plane and the symptoms reappeared. I started making a connection between the symptoms and the CA. I have started reading about this problem today.

I will definitely add a fan to the work table. I will also be a lot more careful when using lots of CA like when appling CA to a new model.

I really can't stress enough to you that, with your symptoms, you need to go down to Lowes or Home Depot and spring for a good respirator with an organic vapor cartridge. CA is almost like poison to some people but a good mask will allow you to keep using it. We still don't know what the long term consequences are of CA are. Why take a chance?

I dont know about how u all use use the stuff. for me swimming goggles and a snorkel seem to have done the trick. i just pack the snorkel full of downy dryer sheets and that seems to filter the fumes pretty good. im no genius but i think this method works pretty good

I feel my leg being tugged on. Do you put a clothes pin on your nose? Thanks a lot for the laugh.