Homemade Biodiesel and Safety
When making your homemade biodiesel there are several ways you
can ensure your physical safety and the safety of pets and
children.
First of all you should not attempt to make homemade biodiesel
unless you are wearing proper protective gloves, an apron, and
eye protection. Keep in mind that biodiesel making involves the
use of several potentially very hazardous chemicals. Methanol
can be absorbed rapidly through the skin and can cause blindness
and death. Sodium hydroxide can cause severe burns and death. If
these two chemicals are mixed during biodiesel production they
can form sodium methoxide. This is an extremely caustic chemical
that can cause a fatality if swallowed, inhaled or absorbed
through the skin.
After reading the above, you can see why it is so important that
high quality protective gloves should be worn during the
biodiesel making process. Make sure they are chemical and fire
proof. Avoid using latex gloves that can dissolve if they come
into contact with certain chemicals.