While wandering through a local hardware store this weekend, I came upon the heatguns. One "no name" gun caught my attention as it had a warning label attached to it. The label read something like "This product contains or may give off materials known to cause birth defects". Anyone ever see this before? Being a fellow HG/DB roaster, I started to wonder a little bit about my Wagner heatgun.
Anyone have any thoughts? Are there certain heatguns a person should avoid when HG/DB roasting?
I live in California. Thanks to proposition 65 everything says it may cause cancer or birth defects in the State of California. Even the apartment buildings have signs on the walls. I recently bought a K-type thermometer online from circuit specialist in Arizona. Even that came with the warning. I called and asked what could cause cancer or birth defects about it, and they said that to be safe against lawsuit the put that label on anything and everything sent to CA. My Milwaukee 750 heat gun did not have that warning, and it was sold in California at a local Home Depot. I don't know what could be different about the no namer you saw though..
Jon
Rawman the Expobarbarian.. AKA the Original Jon R.
Thanks to proposition 65 everything says it may cause cancer or birth defects in the State of California.
I too live in California and I wouldn't be too quick to dismiss these warning labels. You are right that some manufacturers would rather label than do enough research to defend their position if they don't.
However, there are also instances where buildings contain unremediated lead and asbestos. The law requires an owner to inform anyone who might chose to enter so they can make an informed decision. In addition, the heating elements of some heat guns give off heavy metals and in the past were insulated with asbestos containing materials (ACM's). Most of these issues were cleaned up in the 80's for domestic manufacture but when you buy made in China who knows?
Was all or part of it made in Canada? Because they still use Chrysotile Asbestos in commercial products.
Then again, warning labels are absurd these days due to liability issues. My personal favorite is the warning label I once saw on a new gas range which read "Do not place head inside oven." Mmmmmmkay, thanks for the tip.
Jeff
"If it wasn't for coffee, I'd have no discernible personality at all."
My all time favorite warning label was on a CD rack that I saw at Target. It was made out of metal wire and stood about 10 inches tall. The warning label said "Not to be used as a ladder."
What, are Barbie and Ken suing these days as well?!
I'm not sure where the gun was made. It was just a display item and the boxed ones were all the way at the top of the shelf. I didnt feel like trying to pull one down.
I just thought it was a little strange with the warning label and thought maybe someone had seen something like that before. Got a little spooked about my Wagner gun that I use for roasting. I like fresh roasted coffee just as much as the next guy, but I dont need children with 2 heads or three arms.
I think my Milwaukee is a rebadged Wagner. It was sold to me in California with no label, therefore I would assume that it's not likely to cause cancer or birth defects in California, or anywhere else. (At least any more so than anything else we do).
I wasn't discounting all warnings, only that my thermometer sales guy said that for their own protection they put the label on everything they ship to California, no matter what it is. Kind of defeats the purpose of Proposition 65 eh?
DISCLAIMER: The above is just an opinion, not a suggestion to use any product. Use of any product will be at the users own risk. This poster assumes no risk... etc, etc ,etc...
Rawman the Expobarbarian.. AKA the Original Jon R.
... In addition, the heating elements of some heat guns give off heavy metals and in the past were insulated with asbestos containing materials (ACM's). Most of these issues were cleaned up in the 80's for domestic manufacture but when you buy made in China who knows?
My favorite heatgun warning label reads, "Do not use to dry your hair." (But what if I'm in a hurry???) I'm surprised no product lawyer has had a heatgun label made that says, "Do not use for roasting coffee beans."
On a hair dryer I once saw the warning, "Do not use while sleeping." (But what if that's the only time I have to do my hair?)
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