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Q&As since 1989
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Is galvanized steel safe to touch?
Q. I want to use some galvanized steel fence posts to make a bed and desk. I was told to use vinegar
[in bulk on
eBay or
Amazon] to wash it down with to remove any dust and oil. I just wanted to know are galvanized steel harmful to us if it is touched like in the case of using it to make bed posts and a desk. I wanted to use a metal that would not rust and stay shiney. I am not going to weld it I am just going to use the fence brackets the make a cool bed frame.
After I make the bed and wash it down will it be harmful to touch. I cannot see why it would be because I see my duct-working in my house is galvanized steel. I am sure it will not be eaten, used to drink out of, or set on fire. My main concern is that if you touch it without washing your hands (like to sleep on) will it be harmful.
thanks
home use - SSM, ONT, Canada
2007
A. Clearcoat it with Everbrite [a finishing.com supporting advertiser] coating or Krylon spray,remove dust and oil with some detergent,or solvent.Hope it helps and good luck!
Goran Budija- Croatia
2007
A. Julian
Zinc is pretty harmless. Babies bottoms are plastered with zinc oxide to prevent nappy rash, Water pipes are zinc plated and so are most supermarket trollies. Zinc deficiency in the diet can cause major problems.
I expect that eating a whole bed might be too much tho!
Come to think of it, sleeping on a steel bed, zinc plated or not, without a mattress could be a problem
Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England
2007
Danger of frequent skin contact with galvanized steel
Q. I am constructing an outdoor play/gymnastic area for my children. I am making the monkey-bars and chin-up bars out of galvanized tubing. Is it safe for the kids to come in contact frequently with galvanized steel?
Bucky Petrybuilder - seymour, Tennessee
August 18, 2017
August 2017
Hi Bucky. I think all anybody can offer is their own personal opinion that "it's probably safe enough", or maybe better worded as "it's not reckless". I recently bought a new flexline gas connector for the kitchen stove and it came with a California warning that natural gas causes cancer, implying that people should not use kitchen stoves.
Regards,
Ted Mooney, P.E. RET
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
August 18, 2017
There is a body of opinion that California should come with a health warning.
Contains nuts
Geoff Smith
Hampshire, England
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