When making your homemade biodiesel there are several ways you can
ensure your physical safety and the safety of pets and children.
First of all you should not attempt to make homemade biodiesel unless
you are wearing proper protective gloves, an apron, and eye protection.
Keep in mind that biodiesel making involves the use of several
potentially very hazardous chemicals. Methanol can be absorbed rapidly
through the skin and can cause blindness and death. Sodium hydroxide
can cause severe burns and death. If these two chemicals are mixed
during biodiesel production they can form sodium methoxide. This is an
extremely caustic chemical that can cause a fatality if swallowed,
inhaled or absorbed through the skin.
After reading the above, you can see why it is so important that high
quality protective gloves should be worn during the biodiesel making
process. Make sure they are chemical and fire proof. Avoid using latex
gloves that can dissolve if they come into contact with certain
chemicals. It is also advisable to ear a shirt or lab coat with cuffs
for further protection while creating homemade biodiesel.
Cover as much of your skin as possible when making biodiesel.
Don't wear shorts or sandals and expose as little of your skin as
possible in case any of the chemicals splash on your skin.
Always have running water handy when working with methanol and sodium
hydroxide to rinse out of eyes or exposed areas.
Before making biodiesel at home make sure your workspace is generously
and thoroughly ventilated to allow fumes to escape. Keep in mind that
vapor cartridge respirators are not effective against methanol fumes.
No children, pets or individuals with asthma or breathing problems
should be allowed near filtering drums or be allowed to be present
during the making of homemade biodiesel. Only a supplied-air system
will do (SCBA -- Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus) can protect you
from methanol vapors. Note too that methanol does not emit fumes unless
it is hot.
When it is at room temperature it does not emit many fumes and is safer
to work with. That is why it is best to make homemade biodiesel on a
cooler day.
Remember to keep all chemical containers at arm's length when opening
the lid. Chemicals can expand, explode and splash. While making the
homemade biodiesel sometimes it is the safest to transfer substances
such as lye via plastic baggies which can be sealed. This tactic can be
especially helpful for measuring out lye.
Even the most conscientious of amateur biodiesel producers is
vulnerable to sudden splashes or spillages. That is why it is so
important for you to have an emergency plan for getting medical help in
case your homemade biodiesel production goes awry.
Ash Ried is the author of numerous guides and articles on Biodiesel.
You can find articles on How To Make And Use Biodiesel on his website.
Click here to get free access http://NewBiodiesel.com/articles.html
