Health Concerns

[Zach Matthews]

Hey guys –

I’m prepping an article for one of the magazines on health concerns involved in fly tying.  I’ve got a few ideas of my own but I wanted to open this one up a little and see what questions you guys might have.

For example, I’m going to take a look at toluene glues (i.e. Goop), which I use all the time to attach fish eyes.  I ball it up in my fingers, roll it around, press on it, etc.  But I’ve heard toluene is carcinogenic.  I don’t know if I’m being stupid or not.

What kinds of things have occurred to you or might occur to you to be cautious of in fly tying?  Do you worry about chemicals? Dye? Lead contamination? Burns (chemical or UV)?

Thanks,
Zach

[Mark Landerman]

I got super glue shot into my eye one time while tying flies. It scared me to death………….thankfully it doesn’t stick all that well to eyeballs and peels off eyelids quite easily.

[dave nyberg]

I read on another site that Henry Cowen has concerns with some of these chemicals and cancer.  I believe toluene was one of the problems. I think Mr. Cowen lost a friend to brain cancer. I read an article by Al and Gretchen Beatty about using seven half hitches and not using head cement for their personal flies.  They had a sequence for their half hitches.  I think it was start at the eye and tye four going back and three more towards the eye. Said they have not had their flies come apart.  This was in Fly Tyer.  
I don’t think you are being overly concerned but just trying to enjoy life and staying healthy.  Makes sense to me.
Maybe you can do an interview with the Beattys?

[gavin poppen]

Never stick your fingers in your mouth while fly tying because your playing with dead animal parts…

I do try to limit my exposure to lead & other nasties by washing my hands immediately after handling lead, using gloves when handling nasty chemicals, and by using nasty chemicals in a well ventilated area. Cheers.

[Steven Rogers]

Zach,

Toluene can be a nasty chemical under certain circumstances. Concentrated vapor inhalation is the primary mode of harmful toluene exposure, think in terms of huffing (glue, etc.) or large chemical spills. This type of exposure can cause numerous neurological, reproductive and developmental issues. However, dermal absorption of toluene is quite low, something in the range of 1%, compared to that of lung absorption from inhalation of concentrated toluene vapors. Toluene is a mild skin irritant, so if you handled the chemical for an extended period of time, you may notice some symptoms. Lastly, information regarding toluene as a carcinogen is not likely correct. Virtually all studies performed in humans and lab animals have shown extremely little/no increase in cancer, even in the face of high concentration dosages.

Toluene is a chemical derivative of benzene, which is certainly carcinogenic.

So at least in regards to toluene, unless you are huffing or drinking the glue, I would feel that occasional skin exposure would not be a high priority health concern.

Steven Rogers

[jason elkins]

I watched Hugh Hartsell tie some flies a few weeks ago and he stated numerous times that it was his opinion that you should wear gloves when working with lead. I wonder if there is any concern with “lead free” wire. Is it really lead free?

[Mike L.]

Im allergic to improperly prepared fox hair.

[M. Wood]

Interesting subject, I’d look forward to reading it.

[brian aherne]

In Australia there are a couple of illnesses that can be contracted in humans through contact with our native parrots(collecting feathers). The diseases cause lung problems from memory.

I also remember something about inhalation of very fine fur when working with materials like rabbit fur.

Not sure if there are any similar dangers with other animals but it might be something to look into. Especially when people are picking up their own materials by hunting, collecting and road kill animals.

[jonathan corley]

I’ve wondered about handling lead wire, and I’m usually licking my fingers just after using it to get dubbing to roll tighter on the thread.

[knut ruud]

Hello Zach

I think the most dangerous element in fly tying is spending too much time on my own in the basement. The chemicals I use don´t worry me, but the fact that i wake up at night thinking about a new and better trailing chuck does scare me.

Besides the dangers of spending too much time locked down in the darkness, i think ergonomic issues are the most harmful. I have invested in good lights and a back saver chair(http://www.zzmedical.com/zencart/hag-capisco-ergonomic-chair-p-509.html

[Aaron Christensen]

Might not be what you are looking for, but razors and hook points are my immediate risks.

[regan c. kenyon jr.]

Zach-

You picked a bad week to stop sniffing glue!

But seriously, while not life-threatening, how about all the natural products and allergy sufferers.

[regan c. kenyon jr.]

Also, lead is a very scary substance, and one we fishermen do not take seriously enough.

[Grant Wright]

I may be the only one, but while I’m tying flies I typically have poor posture.  If I’m cranking out flies my back starts barking at me.  It is tough to use good posture while hovering over a vise for an hour or more.

[Colin M.]

size 22’s and 24’s launching out of the jaws of my regal, Sometimes, that is pretty scary, I have 20-20 vision still, thank god, and have no need for glasses, so i am pretty unprotected.

I think that is a concern worth mentioning…

[Author]

Posts