Just how carcinogenic is Hoppes #9?

[RavenVT100]

Well, last night I screwed up. I put one of my SIG barrels into a container full of Hoppes earlier in the day. I'd say about 10oz of the solvent went in there. I often find that while Hoppes is a fairly weak solvent compared to its modern counterparts, it has the ability to loosen up the majority of fouling if you soak something in it.

Problem is, the container was made of polystyrene and I didn't know it. In a matter of hours, the solvent ate through it and spilled all over my basement floor. It then soaked into the concrete and the hoppe's smell now permeates the room.

That sweet smell that Hoppes has, I realized, is probably benzene--a highly carcinogenic substance. Am I correct in assuming this? What solvents would you guys recommend as a more healthy alternative to the Hoppes?

 

[Werewolf]

^^^
M-PRO 7 is supposed to be non-toxic.

FYI Hoppes Elite is M-Pro 7 just packaged and sold by Hoppes. I don't know what it is made of but sure seems a lot like some kind of soap solution to me. Probably isn't but that's what it seems like.

Neither IMO is that great as a cleaner though. I use it but only as the last swab thru after I've done a thorough cleaning with Butch's Bore Shine (probably more toxic than Hoppes).

Wear rubber/neoprene gloves and clean your guns in a well ventilated space if you are concerned. I usually have a fan set to low speed set up behind me to blow any fumes away.

 

[cracked butt]

It probably ranks right up there with water and french fries as a carcinogen in California.

 

[Cacique500]

Original components of Hoppes #9

Ammonium oleate (CAS#544-60-5) 5.0 oz
Amyl Acetate (CAS#544-60-5) 8.5 oz ("banana oil")
Nitro-benzene 2.0 oz (the racing fuel additive)
K1 Kerosene 8.5 oz
Neutral Saponifiable Oil 8 oz

...still looking for an MSDS...

 

[countertop]

Not sure what is in Hoppes #9, but I'd hardly call Benezene "a highly carcinogenic substance," at least not in those amounts.

While there is a risk from LONG TERM exposure to HIGH LEVELS of benezene, you really don't have much to worry about. Its highly volatile (ie: easily catches fire) and as a result, will diipate in the air pretty quickly. If it is benezen, the smell will be gone in a day or so.

Here's the fact sheet from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

 

[scubie02]

i always heard the sweet smell was banana oil, and that that and kerosene were the major ingredients

 

[JohnBT]

They took the nitrobenzene out of the #9 years ago. OTOH, the old formula is still available from at least one place...

www.brunoshooters.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=BSS&Category_Code=39HP

John

 

[Waitone]

I searched several MSDS search sites for Hoppes 9 and only came up with lubricating oil. Typical MSDS is here http://www2.siri.org/msds/f2/ccs/ccsth.html

No indication of banana oil additive which leads me to believe Hoppes 9 lubricating oil is not the solvent we all love.

I'm a little suspicious that the MSDS is so hard to come by. Some mention the manufacturer and I'll make an inquiry or two.

 

[RavenVT100]

What is the sweet smell then, if it's not benzene?

Honestly, I'm just curious. I'm not freaked out about it or anything. It's not like we're snorting the stuff.

 

[Ukraine Train]

We run a couple engines at work on benzene and IMO it doesn't smell like Hoppes very much, if at all.

 

[Art Eatman]

Hasn't kept me from reaching age 71, while retaining my wondrous good looks and fine physique!



Art

 

[xdoctor]

71!? Run!!! Old Man With Technology!!!! Find Cover!!

 

[Control Group]

There once was a girl named Irene
Who lived on distilled kerosene
But she started absorbin'
A new hydrocarbon
And since then she has never benzene!

(Yes, this is OT, and terrible to boot...but I just couldn't resist)

 

[Henry Bowman]

and terrible to boot...but I just couldn't resist

"Terrible" doesn't even begin to describe it. Try harder to resist.

 

[brickeyee]

I never considered benzine as having a 'sweet smell'. I would describe is as 'sharp'.

 

[EOD Guy]

Here is the MSDS header I have for Hoppes #9:

MSDS Product Name HOPPE'S #9 NITRO POWDER SOLVENT
MSDS Manufacturer Name HOPPE'S A DIVISION OF MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.
Effective Date 04/11/2001

Archive Box ID 30
Archive Bldg 411
Archive Room 1220
Archive Seat Location 15464
Date Box Received at Records Management 05/02/2003


CAS Number
Chem ID 50000
Physical State LIQUID
Density
Specific Gravity 1.0
Specific Volume
FlashPoint 59.0 F

Remarks
newest-03:5-19-03:default sg:msds#902,904,904b,916,932,950-1


No Part / Catalog Information is available for this product.

Ingredients
No. CAS Number Ingredient Percentage Remarks
1 64-17-5 ETHYL ALCOHOL 0 - 35 % default range
2 8008-20-6 KEROSENE 0 - 35 % default range
3 00-00-0 TRADE SECRET INGREDIENT(S) 0 - 25 % default range
4 00-00-0 ORGANIC ESTER 0 - 10 % default range
5 7664-41-7 AMMONIA, AQUEOUS 0 - 10 % default range
6 00-00-0 NON-HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS chemical identities withheld as a trade secret:no % given by mfg



The MSDS Section 10 does not indicate that the solvent is a carcinogen. It is not reportable under California Proposition 65.

 

[Standing Wolf]

It can't be carcinogenic: I've been using it as an after-shave lotion for three decades and longer with no ill effects.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Limericks

There is no such thing as a sweet or lovely limerick. They're all terrible. It's like some forms of art--so hideous as to have a beauty all its own.

The Limerick is furtive and mean,
You must keep her in close quarantine,
Or she sneaks to the slums
Where she promptly becomes
Disorderly, drunk, and obscene.

BTW, did you know that the old hymn, "Blest Be the Tie That Binds" is a limerick? Try it--any limerick you know will fit that tune!

Our Hoppe's we love for the smell,
It cleans guns, but not quite so well
As M Pro Seven,
Blue Wonder or even
Butch's Bore Shine or Outers Foam gel.

 

[eclipse1]

do any of us know somebody who happens to know somebody that had/has cancer because of hoppes?

 

[scout26]

It just gives me gas.....

 

[hksw]

That sweet smell that Hoppes has, I realized, is probably benzene--a highly carcinogenic substance.

Uh, you don't pump gas do you?


Judging by the components for Hoppe's #9, my guess for the majority of the smell would be the combination of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and kerosene.

 

[SouthpawShootr]

MSDS for Benzene from the Aldrich Chemical site:

Health Hazards Acute and Chronic:ACUTE: DANGER: CONTAINS BENZENE,
CANCER HAZARD. HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED, INHALED, OR ABSORBED THROUGH
SKIN. MATERIAL IS IRRITATING TO MUCOUS MEMBRANES AND UPPER
RESPIRATORY TRACT. CAUSES SKIN IRRITATION. CAUSES SEVERE EYE
IRRITATION. EXPOSURECAN CAUSE NAUSEA, DIZZINESS AND HEADACHE.
CHRONIC: CARCINOGEN.(EFTS OF OVEREXP)
Explanation of Carcinogenicity:BENZENE: KNOWN CARCINOGEN (NTP), GROUP 1
(IARC), OSHA REGULATED. NTP 6TH ANN. RPT ON CARCIN.; OSHA REG 29
CFR (SUPDAT)..

For IARC: Group 1 - Known human carcinogen. This category is used when there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in humans. Exceptionally, an agent (mixture) may be placed in this category when evidence of carcinogenicity in humans is less than sufficient but there is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals and strong evidence in exposed humans that the agent (mixture) acts through a relevant mechanism of carcinogenicity.

Now this information has a considerable buttpucker factor. However, most studies are going to be long term. Keep in mind that benzene is a common organic solvent. Chemists (both research scientists and students) have had lots of exposures. I'm sure just about any biology and chemistry graduate student has been exposed levels of benzene far, far greater than your exposure. I wouldn't worry any further about it, just try not to keep doing it. The key is to limit your exposure as much as possible. That aromatic ring is going to be what causes it to be so reactive.

 

[EOD Guy]

There is no benzene listed in the MSDS for Hoppes #9. It is not on the California Prop 65 list and is not even a suspected carcinogen.

 

[P95Carry]

I do recall from WAY back that Nitro-benzene is a carcinogen and cumulative - meaning, take half the lethal dose now (inhalation and absorbtion) and add the rest later!!

It does seem #9 is way safer but - a caveat I might add is that is smoking when using all manner of solvents - then the risk factor goes way up - due to inhalation of the combustion by products - even in mini quantities.

Just a thought.

Shooting does have its small hazards - and it ain't just bullets!

 

[Sindawe]

The sweet smell is 'prolly the esters. Some of them have a delightful smell (isoamyl acetate aka banana oil) and IIRC, used to be feed to millions of little kids in the form of those nasty pink Circus Peanuts candies.