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Post by duckbill on Dec 5, 2005 12:57:32 GMT -8
I'm wondering if anyone knows whether mothballs (paradichlorobenzene) have any negative effects on neoprene rubber. Some of my vintage gear is stored sealed in plastic bags in a closet where mothballs are also used, and I'm sure that some of the vapors must migrate through the bags eventually.
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Post by Ron Hearn on Dec 5, 2005 13:30:32 GMT -8
Thats a good question, do you have moths?. just the smell of those things remind me of my grandmother. LOL
Ron
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Buzz
Senior Diver
Posts: 64
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Post by Buzz on Dec 6, 2005 6:56:44 GMT -8
Duckbill
Why don't you do an experiment (with a piece of non-usefull rubber and maybe silicone too) with non-exposed pieces as a control. Then give us a report maybe next year after it is done long enough to give you peace of mind.
Buzz
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Post by duckbill on Dec 6, 2005 23:51:51 GMT -8
Well, an experiment might be in order. I was hoping to have a ready-made answer to save time and maybe some gear. Space is limited here and storage space sparse, so my options are limited. If moth balls are definitely harmful, I would feel the need to work on a solution to the problem. Otherwise, I'd like to have the comfort of knowing that my precious vintage gear is safe for decades to come as it is currently being stored.
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Post by duckbill on Dec 7, 2005 9:53:10 GMT -8
O.K. Some neoprene is in the bag with some moth crystals. Some more neoprene is in another bag sans moth crystals. See you guys in a few months, if I can find this thread then!
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Post by SeaRat on Dec 7, 2005 10:33:10 GMT -8
Duckbill, get rid of the mothballs and stop this experiment immediately. The active ingredient, paradichlorobenzene, is a A3 carcinogen according to the ACGIH (American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists). An A3 carcinogen is " A3--Confirmed Animal Carcinogen with Unknown Relevance to Humans...". This chemical has a ACGIH Threshold Limit Value (amount to which someone can be exposed 8 hours a day, five days a week, for a working lifetime), of 10 ppm. That's pretty low. It causes irritation in humans (respiratory tract), and its target organ is the kidney (possible kidney cancer). Here's the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Pocket Guide for Chemical Hazards entry: www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0190.htmlGET RID OF THAT STUFF!!!John
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Post by mossback on Dec 7, 2005 16:27:18 GMT -8
Yeah, though them mothballs into your flowerbed...will keep the kats from peeing there........makes them go next door.......
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Post by duckbill on Apr 10, 2007 11:25:43 GMT -8
I'm wondering if anyone knows whether mothballs (paradichlorobenzene) have any negative effects on neoprene rubber. Duckbill Why don't you do an experiment (with a piece of non-usefull rubber and maybe silicone too) with non-exposed pieces as a control. Then give us a report maybe next year after it is done long enough to give you peace of mind. Buzz O.K. Some neoprene is in the bag with some moth crystals. Some more neoprene is in another bag sans moth crystals. See you guys in a few months, if I can find this thread then! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- O.K. Is 16 months long enough?! I had some pieces of 1/4" smooth/smooth neoprene and 1/8" sharkskin/nylon neoprene in DIRECT CONTACT with paradichlorobenzene (moth cryastals/balls) in a plastic bag for the duration of the experiment. None of the pieces of neoprene show any signs of gumming, stiffening, cracking, or any other deterioration whatsoever. The nylon laminated piece is still laminated just fine. I don't see that paradichlorobenzene has any noticeable effect on neoprene rubber. Experiment concluded. Thanks to "Buzz" (last login date, 6 Mar, 2006) for the suggestion.
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Post by Michel on Apr 10, 2007 15:52:40 GMT -8
I've got the answer! Keep the moth balls, I mean you don't want moths chewing all your designer Nino Cerruti suits do you? And sell me all your late model RAMs right away.....lol. Call operators waiting for your reply,time is of the essence!!!! Cheers, Michel A.
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Post by duckbill on Apr 10, 2007 20:30:16 GMT -8
Ah! But that's the whole point! Now I can keep my late model RAMs AND my Nino Cerruti suits together without fear the diaphragm will go bad on me for it! (Now, if only I had a RAM or Nino Cerruti suit)
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Post by Nemo on Apr 11, 2007 11:46:53 GMT -8
Interesting experiment.
QUESTIONS:
1. How many moths does it take?
2. Are they difficult to castrate?
Sorry. ;D But on a serious note, what steps do you guys use to protect your vintage, thin rubber drysuits from dryrot?
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Post by scubadiverbob on Apr 11, 2007 17:48:33 GMT -8
Terry,
Read the carcinogen stuff. If you drink south Chico ground water, you got more carcinogens in you than moth balls will ever give you. The news&review printed a good article on it a couple of years back. a dry cleaning plant in so. Chico used to pour solvent on the ground ... (TCE) ... get the picture? the stuff never went away. and now they add chlorine to the water to kill what germs the TCE never got to ... The next dive club meeting will be in the northern part of town; but, after that we'll be in So. Chico ...
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Post by DavidRitchieWilson on Apr 12, 2007 6:26:06 GMT -8
>But on a serious note, what steps do you guys use to protect your vintage, thin rubber drysuits from dryrot? <
Here is some advice from the Underwater Swimming chapter of
"The Care and Maintenance of Sports Equipment" edited by William Luscombe (London: Arlington Books, 1962)
"'Dry' diving suits (...) which are made from pure gum rubber should never be subjected to heat when drying out the suit and when storing away a liberal sprinkling of French chalk should be applied and the suit folded loosely, avoiding any sharp creases. It should never be folded tightly or weighed down in storage."
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Post by duckbill on Apr 12, 2007 8:57:10 GMT -8
I'm sure the question would come up, so: "French chalk" = magnesium silicate = talc
Thankyou David.
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Post by DavidRitchieWilson on Apr 12, 2007 11:03:04 GMT -8
>"French chalk" = magnesium silicate = talc<
Indeed. The talc not only preserves the material but also makes donning and doffing the suit easier. I use Typhoon drysuit seal dusting powder - unscented talc - on my replica vintage dry suits.
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