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Forums > Technical Discussion > coloured flames and toxicity
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383 posts
Location: Brisbane, Qld, Australia
383 posts
Location: Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Posted:
does anyone have a recipe for any coloured flames that don't involve using super toxic chemicals? Cause the ones I have looked at all sound a lot worse in the toxicity department than low odour kerosene.also, does anyone know if kerosene is more toxic than low odour or is it the other way round? cause I was thinking since additives to the chemicals make it that much more toxic (i.e. odour-controlling additives and additives that change the colour or whatever) - wouldn't low odour kero have more stuff packed into than average kero?or does it come down to basically just where you get it from cause its all such a different mix all over the place?just curious =)
does anyone have a recipe for any coloured flames that don't involve using super toxic chemicals? Cause the ones I have looked at all sound a lot worse in the toxicity department than low odour kerosene.also, does anyone know if kerosene is more toxic than low odour or is it the other way round? cause I was thinking since additives to the chemicals make it that much more toxic (i.e. odour-controlling additives and additives that change the colour or whatever) - wouldn't low odour kero have more stuff packed into than average kero?or does it come down to basically just where you get it from cause its all such a different mix all over the place?just curious =)
The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.- B.B.King
member
3 posts
Location: golden, co
3 posts
Location: golden, co
Posted:
Like anything, gas masks have their limitations. the main one being the intelligence of the person who is using them. You can buy separate filters for various chemicals, and you want to make sure that you have the right filter for the chemical you are using. don't think that just because you are wearing a gas mask that you are immune to all harm! i still think that Boric Acid is relatively innocous in comparison to the carcinogenic byproducts of any organic fire, and if someone wants i can do the math to show this. but i'd hate for someone to start using something truly toxic and think that because they are wearing a gas mask they are safe!
Like anything, gas masks have their limitations. the main one being the intelligence of the person who is using them. You can buy separate filters for various chemicals, and you want to make sure that you have the right filter for the chemical you are using. don't think that just because you are wearing a gas mask that you are immune to all harm! i still think that Boric Acid is relatively innocous in comparison to the carcinogenic byproducts of any organic fire, and if someone wants i can do the math to show this. but i'd hate for someone to start using something truly toxic and think that because they are wearing a gas mask they are safe!
member
397 posts
Location: Brunswick, Ohio
397 posts
Location: Brunswick, Ohio
Posted:
Just how toxic is it to add boric acid to a flame some ppl say it's like adding another drop to an alrdy bad mix. Some including me think that it makes spinning much much more harmful. Which is it?What about the other colors, I remember one being an anti-depressant. Wouldn't that be much less toxic then anything else since you could eat it anyways? I heard normal table salt could be used to change the color too burning that couldn't be nearly as bad as burning roach poison could it?------------------We are all in the cosmic movie. That means the day you die you watch your whole life repeating for eternity. So you'd better have some good things happen in there and have a fitting climax. --Jim Morrison
Just how toxic is it to add boric acid to a flame some ppl say it's like adding another drop to an alrdy bad mix. Some including me think that it makes spinning much much more harmful. Which is it?What about the other colors, I remember one being an anti-depressant. Wouldn't that be much less toxic then anything else since you could eat it anyways? I heard normal table salt could be used to change the color too burning that couldn't be nearly as bad as burning roach poison could it?------------------We are all in the cosmic movie. That means the day you die you watch your whole life repeating for eternity. So you'd better have some good things happen in there and have a fitting climax. --Jim Morrison
We are all in the cosmic movie. That means the day you die you watch your whole life repeating for eternity. So you'd better have some good things happen in there and have a fitting climax. --Jim MorrisonIt's going to come from a direction you didn't predict at a moment of chaos which you didn't see coming. -- NYC
One Tyred Guy
203 posts
Location: Camaiore, Lu, Italy
203 posts
Location: Camaiore, Lu, Italy
Posted:
The jury's still out on Boric Acid. 100% Boric Acid is sold as Roach poison by the pound. You can also buy 100% Boric Acid at your pharmacists for use as eyewash and disinfectant (it costs more, of course). Exact same chemical. Though, when it's sold as roach poison it has lots of warnings on it and when it's sold as disinfectant it has many fewer.I still say don't eat it.I guess if you put 100% boric acid in a bottle and write "roach poison" on the outside it is HIGHLY TOXIC whereas if you write "eyewash and disinfectant" on the outside it's relatively tame. I'm still working on it...[This message has been edited by mrmo_nyc (edited 20 July 2001).]
The jury's still out on Boric Acid. 100% Boric Acid is sold as Roach poison by the pound. You can also buy 100% Boric Acid at your pharmacists for use as eyewash and disinfectant (it costs more, of course). Exact same chemical. Though, when it's sold as roach poison it has lots of warnings on it and when it's sold as disinfectant it has many fewer.I still say don't eat it.I guess if you put 100% boric acid in a bottle and write "roach poison" on the outside it is HIGHLY TOXIC whereas if you write "eyewash and disinfectant" on the outside it's relatively tame. I'm still working on it...[This message has been edited by mrmo_nyc (edited 20 July 2001).]
PK is a god.. i love the Peeekster.
.:PK:. [poiinthepark founder member]
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing 
STAY SAFE! 
SILVER Member
enthusiast
214 posts
Location: Melbourne Australia
enthusiast
214 posts
Location: Melbourne Australia
Posted:
Hi everyone, I first tried to find out about colouring flames just after I started doing photography at school, bumber it was only B+W. But anyway I did manage to do boric acid with metho and it worked really well, watch out though, metho has a higher flash point than kero etc and the flame will move to your pants,shirt if the end wacks into you.also try to add enough salts to saturate the solution, you can tell when this has happened because the salts will be visible at the bottom no matter how much you shake n stir, this'll give you the most intense colour.Flame colour substancered strontium nitrateorange calcium chlorideyellow sodium clorate & potassium oxalategreen borax & boric acid apple green barium nitrateemerald green cupric nitrateblue cupric clorate & potassium clorateindigo lithium clorateviolet potassium cloratemagenta lithium clorideYou could also use barium cloride instead of barium clorate & sodium cloride (table salt) & strontium or lithium clorides instead of the corresponding nitrates and clorates. The idea of this is to get rid of the oxidisers thus making the chemicals safer to deal with.all this is of a page I got a few years ago, I hope its of some use, have fun and keep twirling.cya's.PS: it came to me the other night, i wonder if it i'd cause changes in ya aura, i need a bit more kundalini enery, now where's that strontium.[This message has been edited by JeStEr (edited 04 August 2001).]
Hi everyone, I first tried to find out about colouring flames just after I started doing photography at school, bumber it was only B+W. But anyway I did manage to do boric acid with metho and it worked really well, watch out though, metho has a higher flash point than kero etc and the flame will move to your pants,shirt if the end wacks into you.also try to add enough salts to saturate the solution, you can tell when this has happened because the salts will be visible at the bottom no matter how much you shake n stir, this'll give you the most intense colour.Flame colour substancered strontium nitrateorange calcium chlorideyellow sodium clorate & potassium oxalategreen borax & boric acid apple green barium nitrateemerald green cupric nitrateblue cupric clorate & potassium clorateindigo lithium clorateviolet potassium cloratemagenta lithium clorideYou could also use barium cloride instead of barium clorate & sodium cloride (table salt) & strontium or lithium clorides instead of the corresponding nitrates and clorates. The idea of this is to get rid of the oxidisers thus making the chemicals safer to deal with.all this is of a page I got a few years ago, I hope its of some use, have fun and keep twirling.cya's.PS: it came to me the other night, i wonder if it i'd cause changes in ya aura, i need a bit more kundalini enery, now where's that strontium.[This message has been edited by JeStEr (edited 04 August 2001).]
Trying to play the Akashic records,
but my turntables not compatible.
member
29 posts
Location: stratford-upon-avon, UK
29 posts
Location: stratford-upon-avon, UK
Posted:
Hi,Sorry to join the discussion so late, but i was having a few thoughts, a gas mask would look pretty cool, BUT, you may freak out any audience you may have in that if you've got a mask they make think they should have one aswell?! Also, one of my brothers is a chemist, and i remember him making blu-tack (you know for hanging up posters with) and its main constituient is boric acid. - just a random fact, but it doesn't seem very dangerous.
Hi,Sorry to join the discussion so late, but i was having a few thoughts, a gas mask would look pretty cool, BUT, you may freak out any audience you may have in that if you've got a mask they make think they should have one aswell?! Also, one of my brothers is a chemist, and i remember him making blu-tack (you know for hanging up posters with) and its main constituient is boric acid. - just a random fact, but it doesn't seem very dangerous.
The best way to predict the future is to invent it
member
5 posts
Location: baltimore, md, usa
5 posts
Location: baltimore, md, usa
Posted:
Digression:'1902 - Dr. Wiley established the formation of a group of 12 young men (Dr. Wiley's Poison Squad) to study the effects of ingestion of preservatives on humans. The conclusions of his studies were based on comparing the physical conditions of and analysis of excreta of each subject. As a result of these studies, boric acid, salicylic acid, sulphurous acid, benzoic acid and formaldehyde were declared harmful "when continuously administered in small doses for a long period or when given in large quantities for a short period".'This was back pre-FDA (Food and Drug Administration) when boric acid was an ingredient in catsup.
Digression:'1902 - Dr. Wiley established the formation of a group of 12 young men (Dr. Wiley's Poison Squad) to study the effects of ingestion of preservatives on humans. The conclusions of his studies were based on comparing the physical conditions of and analysis of excreta of each subject. As a result of these studies, boric acid, salicylic acid, sulphurous acid, benzoic acid and formaldehyde were declared harmful "when continuously administered in small doses for a long period or when given in large quantities for a short period".'This was back pre-FDA (Food and Drug Administration) when boric acid was an ingredient in catsup.
member
337 posts
Location: London UK
337 posts
Location: London UK
Posted:
ok boring, but what about table salt? easy to get, no? makes a sparkly yellow/red flame, no? (i know it does with candles, anyway...)does it work in twirling???someone give me an answer to this... otherwise i'll just try it. maybe i'll give myself deadly sodium chloride poisoning :Pincidentally it would be cool to have a normal flame but firebreath in another colour...
ok boring, but what about table salt? easy to get, no? makes a sparkly yellow/red flame, no? (i know it does with candles, anyway...)does it work in twirling???someone give me an answer to this... otherwise i'll just try it. maybe i'll give myself deadly sodium chloride poisoning :Pincidentally it would be cool to have a normal flame but firebreath in another colour...
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member
337 posts
Location: London UK
337 posts
Location: London UK
Posted:
ok just tried salt. it sprayed sparks for about twenty seconds, which was cool, and then was noticably brighter for about thirty more, then went normal. i think i need to put more on. NaCl isn't soluble in paraffin, is it? I just dipped them, which may account for both the sparks and the short lived effect. was kinda cool though.
ok just tried salt. it sprayed sparks for about twenty seconds, which was cool, and then was noticably brighter for about thirty more, then went normal. i think i need to put more on. NaCl isn't soluble in paraffin, is it? I just dipped them, which may account for both the sparks and the short lived effect. was kinda cool though.
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NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
**** BUMP ****
And please move this to a more appropriate forum Oh Great Moderators.
(Awaiting Sparkly poi questions as it seems to be that time of year again... )
**** BUMP ****
And please move this to a more appropriate forum Oh Great Moderators.
(Awaiting Sparkly poi questions as it seems to be that time of year again... )
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
member
39 posts
39 posts
Posted:
I want to colour my fire on my poi. I've heard you can buy stuff which does the job, but i don't know what it is or anything, if anyone can help i'd be very gratefull.
I want to colour my fire on my poi. I've heard you can buy stuff which does the job, but i don't know what it is or anything, if anyone can help i'd be very gratefull.
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
thats funny...why havent he mods moved this to technical discussion?
thats funny...why havent he mods moved this to technical discussion?
BRONZE Member
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Posted:
ok for colored flames i dunno about the boric acid
but most of the metal hydrides wont dissociate enough into kero\parrifin if ur not in teh US
for those who didnt know
also
something i was thinking of was potassium permanganate in glycerin cause i know that makes a fREAKIN HUGE FLAME
i mean MASSIVE
like we put in about 10g of KMnO and about 4g of glycerin into a 100ml beaker and the flames almost reached the ceiling
if your going to use potassium permanganate its a mad oxidizer so BE CAREFUL
Ok this might sound crazy but i was thinking about making a mix kinda like this
ok use lamp oil and white gas as ur fuel
then if your going to use a metal hydride
for example Copper Chlorate (brilliant blue green flame)dissolve that into acetone, paint thinner, or mineral spirits...Basically a really really stong industrial solvent
then u mix the solvent w\the dissolved metal hydride into your white gas and lamp oil mix
methinks it would work
i dunno risk of flashback might be really hi tho.......
another thing i was thinking of was using that goo\paste that they use in hibatchi.....
ill check out teh solvent thing w\me dad
hes got a degree in organic chem. so well see
more details tomorrow
ok for colored flames i dunno about the boric acid
but most of the metal hydrides wont dissociate enough into kero\parrifin if ur not in teh US
for those who didnt know
also
something i was thinking of was potassium permanganate in glycerin cause i know that makes a fREAKIN HUGE FLAME
i mean MASSIVE
like we put in about 10g of KMnO and about 4g of glycerin into a 100ml beaker and the flames almost reached the ceiling
if your going to use potassium permanganate its a mad oxidizer so BE CAREFUL
Ok this might sound crazy but i was thinking about making a mix kinda like this
ok use lamp oil and white gas as ur fuel
then if your going to use a metal hydride
for example Copper Chlorate (brilliant blue green flame)dissolve that into acetone, paint thinner, or mineral spirits...Basically a really really stong industrial solvent
then u mix the solvent w\the dissolved metal hydride into your white gas and lamp oil mix
methinks it would work
i dunno risk of flashback might be really hi tho.......
another thing i was thinking of was using that goo\paste that they use in hibatchi.....
ill check out teh solvent thing w\me dad
hes got a degree in organic chem. so well see
more details tomorrow
Jesus saves sinners and redeems them for cash and
prizes
Co-Founder of Keepers of Light
Educate yourself about the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
BRONZE Member
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Irish
525 posts
Location: Dallas.........ish, USA
Posted:
ok i found out about the boric acid peice
go to https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid
and thats just about everything on it
its only a mild irritant if inhaled or gotten on skin etc etc etc
not lethal unless ingested
so yeah thats about it on the boric acid topic
ok i found out about the boric acid peice
go to https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid
and thats just about everything on it
its only a mild irritant if inhaled or gotten on skin etc etc etc
not lethal unless ingested
so yeah thats about it on the boric acid topic
Jesus saves sinners and redeems them for cash and
prizes
Co-Founder of Keepers of Light
Educate yourself about the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
member
3 posts
Location: =
3 posts
Location: =
Posted:
i've heard that blue-stone gives a green flame.......
can anyone verify this?
ken
i've heard that blue-stone gives a green flame.......
can anyone verify this?
ken
=
member
32 posts
Location: Taiwan
32 posts
Location: Taiwan
Posted:
blackbird......you're funny. i'm gonna try table salt and see what happens, too.
blackbird......you're funny. i'm gonna try table salt and see what happens, too.
I walk the line-- alien sex fiend
member
33 posts
33 posts
Posted:
Whoever was tlaking about using boric acid....DONT it will kill you!!! That stuff should have a little label on the side saying that this is DEADLY TOXIC TO PEOPLE AND PETS!!!!!
Just a little warning.....look at my signature to see what i mean about what will happen if you use this stuff!
Whoever was tlaking about using boric acid....DONT it will kill you!!! That stuff should have a little label on the side saying that this is DEADLY TOXIC TO PEOPLE AND PETS!!!!!
Just a little warning.....look at my signature to see what i mean about what will happen if you use this stuff!
The Dragon of The Poi
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
Ug... we've talked about this a billion times before... Boric Acid is only dangerous if you eat it. As is Kerosine, lamp oil, kevlar, ball chain, or leather straps. As long as you don't eat any part of your poi (including any boric acid) you won't have to worry about the toxicity.
Boric acid is used as a rat poison but only kills rats when they eat it. Not when they twirl fire with it or put it on their fur.
Don't eat it.
Ug... we've talked about this a billion times before... Boric Acid is only dangerous if you eat it. As is Kerosine, lamp oil, kevlar, ball chain, or leather straps. As long as you don't eat any part of your poi (including any boric acid) you won't have to worry about the toxicity.
Boric acid is used as a rat poison but only kills rats when they eat it. Not when they twirl fire with it or put it on their fur.
Don't eat it.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
member
33 posts
33 posts
Posted:
hmmm.....good point...but let's think about this....eating, breathing, if you're downwind or the wind changes and you're breathing it in....or you open your mouth and the wind changes....you're kind of screwed...!!!! Just to give you a little heads up!
(Not to be mean or anything)
The Dragon of the Poi
hmmm.....good point...but let's think about this....eating, breathing, if you're downwind or the wind changes and you're breathing it in....or you open your mouth and the wind changes....you're kind of screwed...!!!! Just to give you a little heads up!
(Not to be mean or anything)
The Dragon of the Poi
The Dragon of The Poi
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
Not to be mean or anything but generally people don't eat the poi wicks which is what we're talking about.
If you are spinning poi and fire ends up in your mouth you've got bigger problems than boric acid.
Not to be mean or anything but generally people don't eat the poi wicks which is what we're talking about.
If you are spinning poi and fire ends up in your mouth you've got bigger problems than boric acid.
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
SILVER Member
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
15,417 posts
Location: South Wales
Posted:
and one can buy these cool sounding chemicals...um...WHERE?!?!
*walks into sainsburys*
ah yes hello...i would like half a kilo of pottassium permangenate, 2 oz of hydrochloricbexyhydrountramonesoduim glucim nitrate please.....thanks..
i dont think..
and one can buy these cool sounding chemicals...um...WHERE?!?!
*walks into sainsburys*
ah yes hello...i would like half a kilo of pottassium permangenate, 2 oz of hydrochloricbexyhydrountramonesoduim glucim nitrate please.....thanks..
i dont think..
member
5 posts
Location: an orthogonal dimension | To: here
5 posts
Location: an orthogonal dimension | To: here
Posted:
salicylic acid is toxic when administered in small amounts over a long time?
that's normally called asprin, you know.
has anybody tried putting the metal salts into the wicks as solids, before rolling / folding them? I'm imagining even having powdered magnesium. hmmm. there must be some way of delivering a compound into the flame and avoiding having to dissolve it first.
salicylic acid is toxic when administered in small amounts over a long time?
that's normally called asprin, you know.
has anybody tried putting the metal salts into the wicks as solids, before rolling / folding them? I'm imagining even having powdered magnesium. hmmm. there must be some way of delivering a compound into the flame and avoiding having to dissolve it first.
--open your heart, open your mind,let your love flow like the sunshine
member
1 post
Location: melbourne, australia
1 post
Location: melbourne, australia
Posted:
I found that when you make your wicks, if u want really good color you can seed your wicks i.e. sprinkle boric acid on the kevlar while ur rolling the wick.
IT DOES WORK
I found that when you make your wicks, if u want really good color you can seed your wicks i.e. sprinkle boric acid on the kevlar while ur rolling the wick.
IT DOES WORK
Don't play leapfrog with a unicorn
NYC
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
9,232 posts
Location: NYC, NY, USA
Posted:
IT DOES WORK...
... when you use the right fuels.
(Not lamp oil, kero, etc...)
IT DOES WORK...
... when you use the right fuels.
(Not lamp oil, kero, etc...)
Well, shall we go?
Yes, let's go.
[They do not move.]
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