What are some health risks from restoring cars?

Question

My dad is currently working on restoring his GTO and the past few weeks he and he has been using Bondo and other chemicals to strip the car and prepare it for paint.

My dad has very weak lungs and he won't listen to me when I ask him to put on a mask. He says that he doesn't need one, but all he's been doing lately is cough- it doesn't help that he has Chronic Bronchitis.

Can anyone help me find specific risks that he's taking by not wearing a mask? My dad's philosophy is, "If they can go without a mask, so can I." I know it's also an issue of "being a man" and not looking weak; his friends who are helping him realize that he's not in the best condition but they're doing nothing about it. I don't want to have to see my dad suffer from inhaling all of these toxic fumes and to know he could have prevented irritation to his lungs.

I could put it in the Health section, but I'd rather hear answers from other car fans who have had similar experiences or advice on how to handle this.

Answer 1

If you breathe too much of a toxic solvent it affects your nervous system (your brain).  

Symptoms include nausea, dizziness, clumsiness, drowsiness, and other effects like those of being drunk.

If you are overexposed for a short time, the effects on your nervous system go away when exposure stops.  

However, if you are overexposed for months or years the damage to your nervous system can last a long time and may be permanent.



Solvents can also irritate your eyes, nose, throat and skin.

Getting solvents on your skin can cause a rash (dermatitis).  Some solvents can also cause other long-term health effects, including damage to the nerves in your feet, legs, hands, and arms; damage to your reproductive system; or cancer.

Check the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for the product you are using.

However, sometimes the health hazard information is difficult to understand and may not be complete.  

See  the HESIS publications, Aerosol Use in Auto Repair, HESIS Guide to Solvent Safety, and n-Hexane Use in Vehicle Repair for information on the health hazards of toxic solvents and how to protect against exposure and prevent health damage.

Answer 2

He's a grown man. You can't change people you can only p**s them off and get the opposite effect than intended.  Work on changing how you react to him.

Any particulate in the lungs like plastic dust is not good. Bond = Plastic.

Answer 3

To be completley honest it sounds like he's going to do what he wants. Yes inhaling paint fumes, paint stripper and chemical fumes are not healthy. I'd sit him down and let him know you care about him and you would be very appreciative if he proved to you he cares about your feelings enough to wear the mask. But as I stated he's going to do what he wants, so don't be dissapointed if he declines.

Answer 4

Possibly lead paint or poisonous liquids, dust, or metal.

Answer 5

Treat him like a 2 yr.old and take his toys away.His health is at serous risk.My old man is the same way but gives in when get angry enough.Tough love is the olny way.