: Thought I'd take the topic over here: how did the reaction develop? I've
: talked to some folks that got it after blatant misuse of epoxy and others
: fron single contact on forearms. I get flu like symptoms if I'm too long
: in a garage with it (with respirator), eyes feeling tired.
: Since it's an essential part of this kind of building the topic is worth
: keeping fresh.

Hi Lee G., Bert and all!

I don't know where this conversation WAS, or what was said before but it seems to be about Epoxy Alergic Reactions, so I thought I'd add a tid-bit from a past experience of my own. I think this is very important as folks need to know all the many types of reactions they can have so If something strange occurs, they will have a Clue!

For those of you that I met at R2K1 this past Aug. you will probably remember my Dog T.B. and my friends, Pat and Jay, who accompanied me on the trip up from Fresno, Calif.! For those that weren't there, or didn't meet them, they are my neighbors and very good friends since High School.

When I was working with my Walrus ( double-open ) I used epoxy thickened with wood flour to glue the joints. Pat and Jay were making occasional checks to see how the progress was going and keeping me on my toes so I would finish it for the trip. On one occasion, they arrived about 1 or 2 hrs. after I had worked on some joints in the deck stringers. We were looking at the joints and then sat down to visit some when Pat started Coughing violently. And I mean she couldn't get her breath and coughed to the point of getting sick. She is a heavy smoker and has had some minor spells as some do, but this was really serious stuff. I got to thinking and told her to get out of the house, and any of you that really know me ( and there aren't many ) know that I talk like that all the time ( rude and abusive to my friends, but all in fun ). Anyway, they didn't take me seriously, till I got up and helped her out the door. She had no clue what I was doing, but I took her out to the car and she sat out there a while. Within 3 or 4 minutes she was fine, no coughing. I told Jay what I thought it was, since I'd heard some of the old timers here talking about reactions of sorts, although none like this. When Pat felt better, she came up to the house but stayed outside, so I asked her if she wanted to test something and she said yeh, sure. She came in again and sat down where she was before and within 5 minutes, started coughing violently all over again. We took her outside and again she recovered within minutes.

I had to assume that she, being a smoker for years, has already got lung problems and that the fumes from the epoxy, although Jay and I had no reaction, had caused her to have major breathing difficulty. We, now, communicate before they come over and make sure she never goes into the garage where I'm working. At that time, I was building the Walrus in my house. The cured product doesn't seem to bother her, but the epoxy, in the curing process definitely does. I don't know if the dust or shavings would as we don't let her get anywhere near the stuff any more.

Just another type of reaction that I hadn't heard of before, aside from the skin irritations and so forth. Just thought you'd like to know.

They are also asking if they can travel up to R2K2 with me again this year. They had a great time last year and liked everyone they met. They love to talk, as Bihl, Pehte and Pehte, Johe, Mihke and wives and/or girlfriends well know. They may never build a boat ( unless I get into one of the S o F types out of Morris' book ) but they sure loved meeting all the folks up there. They commented that they have never met a nicer group of people than all you boat builders.

More later....... Gotta go scrape that 6" tape on the Rob-Roy and get it ready to glass tomorrow after Church...

Rehd