I'm sure a lot of jewellery-making enthuasiasts out there would have come across the E6000 glue before. But how many of you have actually read the warnings at the back of the product before using it?
Material: Adhesive
Place of Origin: USA
Place of Origin: USA
Overall Rating
4.8
11of12(92%)customers would recommend this product to a friend.
E6000 Glue 3.7 Fluid Ounces
E-6000 is a unique adhesive formulated to meet high-performance industrial requirements. It adheres to more surfaces than virtually any other adhesive. E-6000 has exceptional adhesion to wood, metal, glass, fiberglass, ceramics, masonry and concrete. Not for use on Styrofoam. It also adheres strongly to leather, rubber, vinyl and many plastics. Because it is abrasion-resistant E-6000 may be used on high-wear surfaces. E-6000 maintains its flexible bond in cold temperatures and may be used to bond items subject to vibration. The clear E-6000 is not formulated for exposure to sunlight. For these applications, paint over E-6000 after it has cured.
"CAUTION: Contains perchloroethane. Intentional misuse by deliberately concentrating and inhaling the contents may be harmful. WARNING: This product contains a chemical known in the state of California to cause cancer. Harmful if inhaled or swallowed. May cause dizziness, headaches or nausea. Can cause skin and eye irritation. Exposure may cause damage to the kidneys or liver. Cancer agent based on experimental data...."
I was quite gobsmacked when I read this, as none of these warnings were disclosed in the product description on the website. I am very surprised and shocked that it's not compulsory for retailers to disclose these sorts of health hazards to customers (at least it's my guess that it's not compulsory, or else the warnings would have been there). Heck, I'm surprised they're even ALLOWED to commercially sell products containing carcinogenic compounds in the first place to the public. Now, before you jump all over me and tell me paint strippers, industrial solvents, and some dry cleaning agents may contain a similar ingredient that carry the same potential health risks, I just want to point out that people who use those products use self-protective, safety equipment, as is probably required by their OH&S work procedures, and they were probably at least told about the potential hazards. They will probably also be covered by workers compensation and insurance if anything adverse should happen to them - not that either would be any good to the person if cancer was the end result. Here's a link to the product safety data for E6000 that someone posted on an online forum (she was actually referring to it to point out the relatively low health risks of the glue, but I don't think it supports her case): http://www.tapplastics.com/uploads/pdf/MSDS%20E-6000.pdf
Some people may argue that "most products that exist can cause cancer; we can't avoid everything", which is true, but I think deliberately exposing yourself to this sort of risk after being made aware of them is plain stupidity, especially if there are non-hazardous alternatives out there. I think what people should be asking themselves is not "What are the chances that I'll get cancer if I use this, if I am being extremely careful?" but "Would I die if I don't use this?". If the answer is no, then I think it's high time to move on. Cancer is not a common affliction for no reason.
Being one who prefers to stay on the safe side, and not wanting to risk problems to myself, to others in my household, or to my potential customers, I am going to do the smart thing and chuck the glue out. Actually, if you read the safety data sheet, to dispose of it properly, you actually have to get it incinerated.. So I will probably have to take it to a pharmacy so that they can get that sorted out. Don't want carcinogenic waste in our garbage depot causing mutant/endangered species, do we now?
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Hello! I do use E6000 myself but am also very concerned about the safety risks! I did a review on my blog (hapinesswherever.wordpress.com) and the glue isn't as great as it's made out to be- the bond does loosen with several materials- so trying to decide if I should still go on using it!
ReplyDeleteHi hapinesswherever!
DeleteThanks for dropping by my little neglected blog :P In retrospect, I probably needn't have been as concerned as I clearly was with the product warning, because I've come to realise that American companies tend to be overly cautious, and even with all medicines, they warn that they can result in death, on their tv ads - probably to cover their backsides, if anything should go amiss. Having said that, I still would stay away from anything that warns of possible carcinogenic effects - especially if, in the case of this glue, there is data supporting this, and, as you say, the product doesn't even work well!