There is an article in the August 2009 issue of American Iron Magazine that should serve as a warning to all of us. The author of this article used brake cleaner to clean up a diesel fuel tank before repairing it. He then used a TIG welder on the tank. When the welder hit a small puddle of brake cleaner that was still in one of the deep dimples in the tank, a small puff of smoke came up. You can read the article here
http://www.brewracingframes.com/id75.htm about his experience but while he is lucky to be alive, he has permanent damage as a result of inhaling the resulting phosgene gas.
I always try to double check my sources before posting things like this. According to the Center for Disease Control, phosgene, designated CG by the military was responsible for the large majority of the chemical related deaths in World War I as it was used as a chocking agent by the military.
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/phosgene/basics/facts.asp. OSHA says this under Welding Hazards:
Quote:
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Phosgene is formed by decomposition of chlorinated hydrocarbon solvents by ultraviolet radiation. It reacts with moisture in the lungs to produce hydrogen chloride, which in turn destroys lung tissue. For this reason, any use of chlorinated solvents should be well away from welding operations or any operation in which ultraviolet radiation or intense heat is generated.
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Let's be careful out there friends.