i didnt mean to suggest that avoiding chemical exposure was solely the employees responsibility. i just meant that the cold hard reality is that unless you ask you aint gonna know. even down here if the stuff is poison or caustic or considered a health hazard you will be advised of its presence but some exposure problems are caused by misusing or combining substances that could otherwise be considered relatively safe. thanks Ed for reminding me to read ALL of the material before espousing my opinions. by the way many of our techs are using those "cool bandanna's" that you soak in cold water and wear around your neck and they swear by them. we buy them for them 100 at a time and they are only about $3.00 each. something to think about. it was 111deg in the plant i worked in today and we put in nearly 13 hours wearing hard hats and "nomex". thank GOD for iced tea and air conditioners.