Bought a pancake compressor fron sears/china product
My husband opened this up and let it run for only a few seconds in the house. Now has a headache for 4 days . after reading the manual it says toxic air,air inside tank is toxic, if breathed can cause death. are all compressors like this? and how can these toxic tools be sold here? do you know of any small compressors that don't produce these toxic fumes? Thanks
Bill says...
Yikes!! This is scary stuff.
The air inside the compressor air tank comes from outside the compressor, the same air that you breathe.
So, most of the air inside the tank (at least after it's run for a while and whatever is inside the tank from the factory is gone) is relatively benign.
The compressing process, however, ingests airborne dust (yes, even if there is an intake filter, some gets through), and injects lubricating oils in a liquid and aerosol form into the compressed air inside the tank while it is compressing air. If the compressor is oil lubricated, oil will get into the tank eventually, and in greater quantities as the compressor piston seals wear.
When the compressed air is used, whatever is inside the tank comes out.
However, for general use around the house, I have no compunction whatsoever of using my compressor indoors.
After reading your post, I re-checked the manual that came with my compressor, and nowhere does it say that the contents of the air tank are toxic. Is does caution one against breathing the fumes and mist when one is using the compressor with a spray gun. Those fumes may be toxic as the paint or lacquer may have toxic elements.
In short, I don't know why your compressor is toxic.
Good luck. Ask your hubby to take two aspirin, and accept my hope that he feels better in the morning.
Cheers,
Bill
