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Something that I've noticed, that I wonder if it could be an useful (although very blunt force) heuristic for thinking about chemicals: Chemicals with strong e

Something that I've noticed, that I wonder if it could be an useful (although very blunt force) heuristic for thinking about chemicals: Chemicals with strong effects (e.g. bright colors, the ability to permanently set dye, powerful adhesives and epoxies, breathable waterproofing, etc.) often achieve their effect via strong chemical reactions. Strong chemical reactions have a good chance of being able to interact with your body's chemical reactions and make you sick. Therefore, you should default to handling chemicals with strong effects with caution (e.g. wearing gloves and a respirator if there are fumes). Of course this is just a rule of thumb. Fruit juice is brightly colored but generally doesn't require special handling. Mineral sunscreen works via physical rather than chemical properties. Etc.

pennomi 2y ago
Fruit juice also doesn’t retain its color over long periods of time. Good dyes in general are hard to make safely, and we use a lot of dyes in our society.
tokai 2y ago
>physical rather than chemical properties The field of physical chemistry is going to blow your mind.
- harimau777 2y ago
  Ya, I'm definitely speaking in VERY broad strokes here because this isn't my area of expertise! I was just meaning that in comparison to what's called "chemical sunscreen" which, according to my admittedly limited understanding, works by undergoing a chemical reaction when exposed to UV.
  - tokai 2y ago
    I understand, I just couldn't help myself :)
kragen 2y ago
this is backwards. yes, the un-set dye is reactive. but the set dye isn't reactive. that's what's 'set' about it
- harimau777 2y ago
  Definitely! I use this rule of thumb when I'm crafting to know that I need to wear gloves while dying something, using adhesives, industrial cleaners, etc. After it's set you only need to be careful in as much as you need to prevent bleeding colors onto other clothes.

pennomi 2y ago

Fruit juice also doesn’t retain its color over long periods of time. Good dyes in general are hard to make safely, and we use a lot of dyes in our society.

tokai 2y ago

>physical rather than chemical properties The field of physical chemistry is going to blow your mind.

harimau777 2y ago
Ya, I'm definitely speaking in VERY broad strokes here because this isn't my area of expertise! I was just meaning that in comparison to what's called "chemical sunscreen" which, according to my admittedly limited understanding, works by undergoing a chemical reaction when exposed to UV.
- tokai 2y ago
  I understand, I just couldn't help myself :)

kragen 2y ago

this is backwards. yes, the un-set dye is reactive. but the set dye isn't reactive. that's what's 'set' about it

harimau777 2y ago
Definitely! I use this rule of thumb when I'm crafting to know that I need to wear gloves while dying something, using adhesives, industrial cleaners, etc. After it's set you only need to be careful in as much as you need to prevent bleeding colors onto other clothes.