Trichloroethylene (TCE) has taken a bad rap as of late. But, is it justified knowing all the other hazardous chemicals used much more often? In the writer's immediate area--1 mile from a CTS electroplating site-which was shut down in 1986 (23 years ago). It has been labeled a Superfund RCRA Site due to trichloroethylene groundwater contamination. Maybe our houses should be labeled Superfund Sites as well.

Most chemical sites receive the Superfund label if they have disposed of hazardous chemicals improperly. Those chemicals are also flammable, toxic, or corrosive. But if one takes a normal hairspray that usually contains dimethyl ether (DME) as a propellant, one must think about the typical breathing amounts inhaled.

A typical dose of DME usually exceeds breathing at least 500 parts per million (ppm) for the person applying the hairspray-that's 0.05 volume % for a short period of time. The Material Safety Data Sheet reveals that for a mouse, the lethal concentration for a 15 minute interval with DME is 386ppm. We also know the flash point of DME to be minus 41oC-the temperature at which it will ignite by having a small flame available. We just have to remember never to hairspray for longer than 15 minutes, or to have a small flame in the room. read more »