While trolling around looking for info on welding cast iron, I ran across this little spooker!

Brake Cleaner = Phosgene http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm

I read this a few months back. And to think we used to hunt freon leaks with one of those propane sniffers that the flame turned funky colors when it found a leak. Guess what gas burning freon makes....deadly phosgene!!!!! Be careful if you play good samaritan on a car fire!
Terry

The brake clean I use is made by Penray and is still acetone based! Cleans better than the newer stuff out there as well. If ya have a local Cummins dealer thats where I buy it. Usually cheaper than the auto parts store too!

I read one the other day were a guy was using brake clean to clean rust pits in a fuel tank before tig welding. he almost killed him self the brake clean burring mixed with argon makes poisonous gas.

here is it is.
http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm

actually many man made materials produce phosgene gas when thier are burnt. all the lovely carpet, foam filled chairs, and plastics out there used in your homes and cars are likely to produce phosgene.

One of the guys I worked with was burning a bunch of stuff from an old mobile home he was cleaning out, the wind changed quick and he got a lung full of smoke. Two months later he got out of hospital, six months back to work. He was Very lucky
Terry

The risk of phosgene gas is only present in "chlorinated" brake cleaner.

its just a good idea to stay out of the smoke plume from ANYTHING that you weld or cut.Back in the day welders didnt pay much attention to poisoning; but nowdays there are much more plastics and chemicals in paints+coatings on metals to deal with,especially the used metal we all like to use...clean it off the best you can before you operate.Just a couple of minutes with a grinder and sanding disc.get one dose of zinc fume fever and youll know what I mean

guess we can't enjoy smelling napalm (spelling) in the morning anymore Happy Memorial Day

opps forgot Big THANKS for everyones service no matter how small or short.