Building cannons making me sick?

[potatoflinger]

For the past month or so, I have been feeling nauseated off and on. It usually lasts for a day or two, but it is really starting to get on my nerves. I have been to the doctor and have had multiple blood test that have tested for things like diabetes, lymes disease, and thyroid problems, but all of those tests have shown that I am fine.

I started trying to figure out what I had been doing before I got sick, and I think that each of the times I started to feel nauseated, I had been working with PVC the day before. The things that I had been building were different kinds of breech loaders that required a lot of cutting and using a dremel tool, which created a lot of PVC dust that I accidentally ingested.

I think that it is very possible that it is the PVC dust that is making me sick, but I wanted to know if any of you have had the same problem. If nobody else has had the same type of problem, it might not be the PVC that is making me sick. But if anyone else has had the same type of problem, it could help with getting to the bottom of this problem.

I have done a lot of research on the health effects of ingesting PVC dust, but I haven't really found any solid information.

Anyway, I just wanted to know if anyone else has had the same type of problems after breathing in PVC dust.

[VH_man]

i know i feel nasty after cutting PVC or sanding BONDO.......... but not nauseating or anything neccecitating a doctor.

if i were you i would get the little facemask things, just to be on the safe side, because it cant be good.........

[potatoflinger]

Yeah, but I don't think I will be working with PVC too much any more, because I need to save up my money for a car.

The pain wasn't bad, it just feels like I ate something that didn't sit quite right, but it was the fact that it just kept coming back that made me want to go to the doctor.

[VH_man]

yeah, thats about what i got too.....

my vote is that it was the PVC dust. dont hold me to that though....

[potatoflinger]

yeah, thats about what i got too.....

my vote is that it was the PVC dust. dont hold me to that though....

Thanks for the input! I will suggest PVC dust to the doctor, maybe that will help him diagnose whatever I have.

[daxspudder]

...or just use a respirator and eye protection... safety first before the build safety after.

[starman]

No dust of any kind is great to be ingested or breathed in. The issue you'll have is a sinus response, clogging, drainage etc. and some coughing. A simple dust mask works wonders.

However, there should be no pharmalogical problems from injesting small amounts. In other words, it will come out in the same shape in went in...like swallowing a penny...

It's much more likely for you to have a nausea reaction to the PVC primer and cement. Have you considered that possibility?

[TurboSuper]

You could also be having an allergic reaction to the dust/fumes. Everyones body responds to these things differently.

[starman]

You could also be having an allergic reaction to the dust/fumes. Everyones body responds to these things differently.

That would be the sinus response, drainage and coughing problems I was referring to. You would have to be a rare bird indeed to have skin allergy to PVC....probably a bubble boy...

[Matheusilla]

When I was little I had this plastic gun that shot ping pong balls. Every time I would play with it I would get sick for a day or two. If I was already sick playing with it would make me worse. I was the only one it would happen to and that toy was the only thing that's ever given me that sort of reaction.

[sprayandplay08]

wow sounds like u guys are allergic to a chemical in the pvc or the glue or primer, also when you have sweaty hands and touch the pvc your hands can absorb small amounts of the surface chemicals and microscopic dust pirticles into your skin

[potatoflinger]

...or just use a respirator and eye protection... safety first before the build safety after.

Well, I usually wear a mask, but I haven't had any for a few months. But, I always wear eye protection whenever I use any type of tool, especially a dremel, since they tend to throw stuff everywhere.

[sprayandplay08]

Very wise to do considering the amount of flying crap
My uncle almost blinded himself when he was using a grinder and a piece of metal whent into his eye

[brogdenlaxmiddie]

Or you could all have Celiac disease like me

[TurboSuper]

Do you wash your hands after handling the PVC? The dust can get on your hands, and you'll ingest it next time you eat.

Try only using one safety device at a time (plus goggles), and see which one makes you not sick