Is water based

[CNCadmin]

coolent harmful to breath in?

[Rekd]

It can definately be an irratant in mist (steam) form. As for chronic health problems, I'm not sure, but I can only imagine doing it for years will undoubtedly have adverse affects, just like anything else.

[hardmill]

I'd give a big YES!!
Especially in a mist. I'm sure there are those that
are safer than others.
I always make it a habit to read all data sheets.

PEACE

[TRC1]

Some are. I worked at a shop for almost 12 years and they decided to change coolant brands to save money. After a few months or so I started having problems breathing and had to go to the hospital for testing. I was coughing up blood and when I sneezed it was like a geyser of blood spray. There were 2 or 3 other guys having problems too, although not as severe. It only affected 4 people out of 100 or so. Upon further checking of the M.S.D.S.'s, I found that the coolant when heated from heavy milling turned to steam, and gave off formaldyhide gas which is highly toxic. As soon as I informed the company what was going on they changed back to the original coolant and denied the findings about the formaldyhide gas, essentially covering their asses financially. Lovely people they were. Were... as in I quit shortly thereafter.
JD

[Rekd]

I went to a doctor a few years ago after machining graphite for months, alergies. (I'm not even alergic to poison ivy, let alone graphite!) He said it's completely inert, but after seeing the dust that was EVERYWHERE in the shop, I decided I didn't need a layer of that stuff coating my lungs...

'Rekd teh graphite buggers!

[Mortek]

So what kind do you guys use? I use Trim E-190. I don't know that much about it, but I swear it's not that good for me.

[Klox]

Some coolants can give you skin problems (dermatites?). The inhalation of the mist can make you sick, especially if there is already some degree of bacteria growth in the coolant.
During my apprenticeship i worked on a surface grinder with old coolant, well i had "gippo guts" for 3 days!!!

Klox

[Rekd]

gippo guts?

[Klox]

Rekd it's South African slang for diarroea!

Klox

[ImanCarrot]

I've seen a row of Milling Machines with one guy getting a cold and you could guarantee it would work it's way down the line as the coolant was shared between machines. The guys were coughing and spitting in the coolant *eeew* which is close to body temperature and so a good breeding ground/ carrier for bacteria and viruses (virii?).

[Kevin Taylor]

Got the itch!!! Ive been plaged with reacouring skin itch rash dermitites ect for over two years Coolant ,solvent, kerosean, WD40, oil new, or used everthing seem's to bother hand's crack and bleed sometimes. One doctor sugested I changed job's Self employed Like that's going to happen .Med's help knock it down but when I quite It's back If anybody has a sugestion { Coolant brand } I would Be greatfull . Thank's KLT

[Geof]

Got the itch!!! Ive been plaged with reacouring skin itch rash dermitites ect for over two years Coolant ,solvent, kerosean, WD40, oil new, or used everthing seem's to bother hand's crack and bleed sometimes. One doctor sugested I changed job's Self employed Like that's going to happen .Med's help knock it down but when I quite It's back If anybody has a sugestion { Coolant brand } I would Be greatfull . Thank's KLT

Have you tried Shell Dromus B? It is a water mixable coolant used at a dilution of between 1 in 10 to 1 in 15.