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labricoleuseI am taking a graduate-level industrial health and safety course specifically tailored to the arts and entertainment industries right now, and our first project was to conduct a material analysis of some product that we commonly use in our field of specialty. I chose to do mine on the color remover thiourea dioxide, which you may be more familiar with as a brand name: Thiox or Spectralite.
I wanted to share the results of my analysis here, because it may be useful as a reference or format guideline, should you want to write up your own for chemicals in your shop/studio or if you use this chemical as well. Our goal is to have a complete analysis of every product in the crafts area--clearly that will take some time to complete! And, if you've never heard of Thiox before, here's an overview of it. It sure can strip out color, but not everyone can use it safely.
Evaluation: Thiourea Dioxide (aka “Thiox” or “Spectralite”)
The MSDS for Thiourea Dioxide is available from Pro Chemical as a PDF file here.
Thiourea Dioxide (Thiox) is one of the three most-frequently-used chemical compounds available to costume painters/dyers in the removal of dye from yardage or garments, the other two being sodium hydrosulfite (Rit Color Remover) and chlorine bleach (Clorox). Of the three, it is in my experience the most effective at removing dye. It is easily obtainable from familiar dyeshop inventory source-companies such as Dharma Trading Company and Pro Chemical & Dye, though it cannot be shipped by air.
1.) Relative level of health risk:
Moderate. Particulate/dry form poses respiratory hazard, as does vapor given off from the bath when dissolved and heated in dye-removal process. Splash risk when transferring fabric to and from bath. Skin contact is hazardous as well.
2.) Fire hazard:
Moderate. Could combust if stored or used improperly.
3.) Unusual clean-up/waste disposal concerns:
Recommended not to release large-quantity spill runoff into waterways.
4.) Our ability to safely use the product as directed:
With proper PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment), I believe we can use it as directed.
5.) Conditions under which we can use the product:
Vent hoods on, windows open.
Skin, eye, and respiratory PPEs employed.
Used by trained employees only.
Used only as a “last resort”—other solutions should be explored first.
Stored in Flammables cabinet.
6.) PPE recommendations:
Neoprene apron
Neoprene gloves
Chemical splash resistant goggles
Respirator with OV/AG cartridges and particulate matter filter caps
7.) Recommendations for our use of the product:
a.) Product must be stored in the Flammables cabinet.
b.) Product should be used sparingly. Ideally, fabric/costumes should be pulled/purchased in the desired color, or if that is not possible, white or a lighter color that may be dyed to the correct color. Technicians dyeing garments or fabric should be highly skilled in dyeing processes to limit corrective need for product.
c.) Product should be used only by employees/grad students who meet the following criteria:
Fit-tested and trained in the use of respirators
Trained in the use of the dye vats
Completed the graduate seminar in dyeing and distressing,
including proper procedure of product’s usage
I wanted to share the results of my analysis here, because it may be useful as a reference or format guideline, should you want to write up your own for chemicals in your shop/studio or if you use this chemical as well. Our goal is to have a complete analysis of every product in the crafts area--clearly that will take some time to complete! And, if you've never heard of Thiox before, here's an overview of it. It sure can strip out color, but not everyone can use it safely.
Evaluation: Thiourea Dioxide (aka “Thiox” or “Spectralite”)
The MSDS for Thiourea Dioxide is available from Pro Chemical as a PDF file here.
Thiourea Dioxide (Thiox) is one of the three most-frequently-used chemical compounds available to costume painters/dyers in the removal of dye from yardage or garments, the other two being sodium hydrosulfite (Rit Color Remover) and chlorine bleach (Clorox). Of the three, it is in my experience the most effective at removing dye. It is easily obtainable from familiar dyeshop inventory source-companies such as Dharma Trading Company and Pro Chemical & Dye, though it cannot be shipped by air.
1.) Relative level of health risk:
Moderate. Particulate/dry form poses respiratory hazard, as does vapor given off from the bath when dissolved and heated in dye-removal process. Splash risk when transferring fabric to and from bath. Skin contact is hazardous as well.
2.) Fire hazard:
Moderate. Could combust if stored or used improperly.
3.) Unusual clean-up/waste disposal concerns:
Recommended not to release large-quantity spill runoff into waterways.
4.) Our ability to safely use the product as directed:
With proper PPEs (Personal Protective Equipment), I believe we can use it as directed.
5.) Conditions under which we can use the product:
Vent hoods on, windows open.
Skin, eye, and respiratory PPEs employed.
Used by trained employees only.
Used only as a “last resort”—other solutions should be explored first.
Stored in Flammables cabinet.
6.) PPE recommendations:
Neoprene apron
Neoprene gloves
Chemical splash resistant goggles
Respirator with OV/AG cartridges and particulate matter filter caps
7.) Recommendations for our use of the product:
a.) Product must be stored in the Flammables cabinet.
b.) Product should be used sparingly. Ideally, fabric/costumes should be pulled/purchased in the desired color, or if that is not possible, white or a lighter color that may be dyed to the correct color. Technicians dyeing garments or fabric should be highly skilled in dyeing processes to limit corrective need for product.
c.) Product should be used only by employees/grad students who meet the following criteria:
Fit-tested and trained in the use of respirators
Trained in the use of the dye vats
Completed the graduate seminar in dyeing and distressing,
including proper procedure of product’s usage
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no subject
Date: 2006-10-17 09:12 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-17 09:16 pm (UTC)...And i'm not about to imply in print on the intarwebz that anyone should use this product without all the proper safety precautions. So, odor-threshold is irrelevant in this hazard analysis.
But, you're right, without a respirator, it does smell asstastic. :p
no subject
Date: 2006-10-17 09:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-17 09:25 pm (UTC)toxic-waste-dump dyeshop in a closetOSHA-uncompliant facilities in which we experienced our Co-arbeit macht frei, but here, our dye vats have actual vent hoods over them, that...get this...SUCK AWAY THE FUMES!I know. It makes me verklempt. [fans self]
no subject
Date: 2006-10-17 09:29 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-10-17 09:37 pm (UTC)But seriously, in all serious seriousness, the shop here is really well-appurtenanced, perhaps because of the top-level graduate program. I have to tell my students, "When you get out there in the real world, you probably won't have a dyeshop like this one. Prepare yourself to be proactive about safety while your superiors expect you to dye polyester in a closet with a hotpot and a fan."
no subject
Date: 2006-10-17 09:43 pm (UTC)I was going to say something snarky about the dangers sometimes lurking in really well-appointed crafts shops, but instead I will say that I just hope you are also instilling in them the importance of close-toed shoes.
No, I'm still not over that.
no subject
Date: 2006-10-17 09:52 pm (UTC)Adequate safety measures are of the utmost importance in this seminar. We will discuss safety precautions and methods in detail in the first class, but here is a brief overview of what is required of all class participants:
You MUST come to class appropriately attired. This means closed-toe shoes, work pants or jeans, and a smock. No skirts, no "cute" shoes or fine clothing, no shirts with dangly cuffs. You must wear a smock, apron, or work shirt over your clothing as well. I recommend keeping a couple of craft class outfits in your locker in case you must dress nicely on a craft seminar day for some other event. If you show up to class without appropriate footwear or clothing, you will not be allowed to participate until you are appropriately clad, and you will be marked late (see attendance policy).
No "cute" shoes
Date: 2006-10-17 09:55 pm (UTC)Re: No "cute" shoes
Date: 2008-07-14 03:05 pm (UTC)i use thiourea in a fixingagent but there is no mention on protective clothing/masks etc.
Re: No "cute" shoes
Date: 2008-07-16 12:34 am (UTC)