Safety of Lubricants

[Kevp]

All,

I've seen that a lot of folks on this forum advocate using lubricants such as synthetic motor oil on their firearms under the auspices of saving $. I'll use Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil as an example since I've seen it mentioned frequently. What I haven't seen mentioned is the potential health risks that you may be exposing yourself to by going this route. The following are exerpts from the the Mobil 1 Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for Extended Performance 10W30:

POTENTIAL HEALTH EFFECTS
Excessive exposure may result in eye, skin, or respiratory irritation. High-pressure injection under skin may cause serious damage.


NFPA Hazard ID: Health: 0 Flammability: 1 Reactivity: 0
HMIS Hazard ID: Health: 0 Flammability: 1 Reactivity: 0


NOTE: This material should not be used for any other purpose than the intended use in Section 1 without expert advice. Health studies have shown that chemical exposure may cause potential human health risks which may vary from person to person.

INHALATION
Remove from further exposure. For those providing assistance, avoid exposure to yourself or others. Use adequate respiratory protection. If respiratory irritation, dizziness, nausea, or unconsciousness occurs, seek immediate medical assistance. If breathing has stopped, assist ventilation with a mechanical device or use mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

SKIN CONTACT
Wash contact areas with soap and water. If product is injected into or under the skin, or into any part of the body, regardless of the appearance of the wound or its size, the individual should be evaluated immediately by a physician as a surgical emergency. Even though initial symptoms from high pressure injection may be minimal or absent, early surgical treatment within the first few hours may significantly reduce the ultimate extent of injury.

EYE CONTACT
Flush thoroughly with water. If irritation occurs, get medical assistance.

INGESTION
First aid is normally not required. Seek medical attention if discomfort occurs.

FLAMMABILITY PROPERTIES
Flash Point [Method]: >200°C (392°F) [ASTM D-92]
Flammable Limits (Approximate volume % in air): LEL: 0.9 UEL: 7.0
Autoignition Temperature: N/D

Exposure limits/standards for materials that can be formed when handling this product: When mists/aerosols can occur the following are recommended: 5 mg/m³ - ACGIH TLV (inhalable fraction), 5 mg/m³ - OSHA PEL.

OSHA HAZARD COMMUNICATION STANDARD: When used for its intended purposes, this material is not classified as hazardous in accordance with OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200

The last statement is key. I just thought I'd put it out there for consideration since I know a lot of folks are using it on AR type rifles. If you are doing this, you are breathing the stuff. If you are using it with a suppressed platform, you are breathing more of it and probably getting some on your skin. Will it hurt you? I don't know, but it definitely isn't the intended purpose.

 

[Semper Noctem]

Great info Kevp!

I would be interested in seeing the same data for commercially available firearms lube.

The key data point is how Syn. Motor Oil compares to other lubes. For all we know, it could be on par with others... Or better/worse.

Either way, thanks for the info.

 

[Kevp]

Great info Kevp!

I would be interested in seeing the same data for commercially available firearms lube.

The key data point is how Syn. Motor Oil compares to other lubes. For all we know, it could be on par with others... Or better/worse.

Either way, thanks for the info.

I'm with you on this. Here is a link to the U.S. Army health assessment of SLIP lubricant from the 2004 Lubricant Assessment (it passed):

http://www.slip2000.com/downloads/AberdeenTest.pdf

I use SLIP products so it is the only one I searched.

 

[Pinecone]

Looking at the data you posted.

NFPA and HMIS Health hazard ZERO, is in 0.

Read the MSDS for ANY petroleumproduct and will see the same warnings.

Don't get itin your eyes, don't eat it, don't inject it under your skin, don't bath in it, etc.

Realise that these days, most of the info on an MSDS sheet is based on what the legal department wants, NOT what the health and safety people want.

For even more fun, look up the MSDS on common household products.

 

[armed ferret]

yeah i wouldn't put too much into MSDS. it's a conglomerate of what lawyers say reduces liability for a company in case someone is retarded enough to drink motor oil.

(there's a lot of arfcom members, and even a few here, whom i think fall into that category, but that's for a different discussion off-site )

wear eye pro when shooting, and don't drink the stuff or use it as cologne. you'll be fine.

who among us hasn't spilled oil on their hand(s) while changing oil in their car? any parts fall off as a result?

 

[Kevp]

Looking at the data you posted.

NFPA and HMIS Health hazard ZERO, is in 0.

Read the MSDS for ANY petroleumproduct and will see the same warnings.

Don't get itin your eyes, don't eat it, don't inject it under your skin, don't bath in it, etc.

Realise that these days, most of the info on an MSDS sheet is based on what the legal department wants, NOT what the health and safety people want.

For even more fun, look up the MSDS on common household products.

Pinecone,

That is based on it being used for its intended purpose....in a vehicle engine, not in a gas operating system of an AR where it is being aerasolized and blown back in your face. I shoot a lot of suppressed AR in both 5.56 and .22 dedicated upper. My safety glasses are always spotted with lube. I put this out for consideration, not to start a debate. BTW- I've been through more OSHA training than I care to remember, so I'm well aware of what is in a MSDS.

 

[smdub]

Im FAR more concerned about breathing the (relatively huge) quantity of burnt powder residue vs the tiny amount of burned/vaporized oil. The ratio is at least 1000:1.

 

[omegared24]

I don't see how any of the lubes people use can be safe for inhalation, skin contact or ingestion. All have warnings. Unless you are using pure mineral oil as lubricant. Even that probably has lasting impacts on health.

You can't possibly tell me the minty fresh scent of Froglube is good for you. "Hey honey...check out how good this gun lube smells". Admit it...you have done it.

 

[shaddydan]

Good post but I do wonder what the actual risk is considering you are also inhaling atomized lead particles, bullet lube, and of course powder residue. At least one of those is a known carcinogen.

 

[stupid]

so i shouldn't be rubbing motor oil all over my body?

 

[Semper Noctem]

so i shouldn't be rubbing motor oil all over my body?

What you do in your free time is your business.

 

[alucard0822]

Good info Kev, always a good idea to see what might happen to material when used for an application it wasn't designed for. A good example is the old chlorinated brake cleaner, when the liquid is burned it produces deadly Phosgene gas, killed a few people that used it to clean metal just before welding. The main problem IMO is that motor oil has additives to make it semi-hydroscopic. In an engine, the oil cycles to 200+ degrees giving moisture trapped in the oil a chance to evaporate out, it traps moisture to keep it contained temporarily and prevent internal corrosion. Without that high temp cycling, moisture can build enough to cause corrosion under the oil film, and breakdown of the oil itself where constant sweat and moisture are prevalent. Material science is big business, lubes are designed with certain attributes to fit a specific application, and plenty are better suited to firearms where long term temp/viscocity stability, shear breakdown, moisture displacement and adhesion are more important.

 

[Melnic]

Get a wiff of Ballistol. See how you feel after that.
That stuff makes me cough alot when I use it.
Never coughed like that changing the oil in a car.

 

[webb297]

Irrelevant, but MSDS is now being converted over to the "Global Harmonized System"

OP you now have 5 days (must be done by 12/1/13) to amend your post to reference, Safety Data Sheets (SDS), not MSDS , and to train the members of the forum in appropriate 16 part SDS's and their symbols, and the GHS standards of Hazardous Communication per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200(j)1.

 

[PapiBarcelona]

LOL I hear that.

 

[Sirex]

Any MSDS for Astroglide? That's what I use.

 

[jrumann59]

Any MSDS for Astroglide? That's what I use.

That is for the gerbil varminter build?

 

[jrumann59]

I am willing to bet any synth gun oil will have the same or similar MSDS.

 

[Numidian]

We're all going to die someday. The vaporized lead we breathe in while shooting probably hurts us more.

 

[Kevp]

I am willing to bet any synth gun oil will have the same or similar MSDS.

Read the attachment the I added on SLIP. Not true.