🚀 go-pugleaf

In <2cu37s$elc@unix1.circ.gwu.edu> wilesm@unix1.circ.gwu.edu (Marc Wiles) writes:

>An inherent problem with DMSO, besides the fact that it's a very nasty
>chemical to use, is that is a beautiful carrier for many organic and
>inorganic agents.  It is entirely possible that the DMSO picked up
>something from inside the bottle and you transfered the substance to your
>knee.

>Personally, knowing that DMSO can be carcinogenic and teratogenic, I
>wouldn't use it as a topical applicant.  Having worked in the
>pharmaceutical industry during my post-doc, I can tell you that safety
>people have fits if you don't take care when handling DMSO.


Well, I'll have to agree with a lot of this. I dont know
about it being carcinogenic or teratogenic (I don't know, not I doubt)
but I do know that its quite a good carrier, it dissolves
a lot of things, and as far as the solvents I usually handle
its one of the 'dirtier' ones...i.e. it picks up more contaminants
than many other solvents I work with.
I also am not wild about the sensations or odor of it, 
it to me smells quite nasty and I would not want it
on or in my body. I'm quite happy keeping it in the NMR tubes
with my samples where it belongs.

Keith
-- 
Keith Rickert            | "That was only one of the many occasions on which
rickert@cco.caltech.edu  | I met my death - an experience I don't hesitate
keith@imppig.caltech.edu | strongly to recommend" - Baron von Munchchausen