What types of hazards does WD-40 have?

Author: Caesar Heathcote II  |  Last update: Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Inhalation: High concentrations may cause nasal and respiratory irritation and central nervous system effects such as headache, dizziness and nausea. Intentional abuse may be harmful or fatal. Skin Contact: Prolonged and/or repeated contact may produce mild irritation and defatting with possible dermatitis.

Is WD-40 highly flammable?

Extremely flammable aerosol. Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated. May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. May cause drowsiness or dizziness.

What is WD-40 classified as?

GHS Classification:

Flammable Aerosol Category 1. Aspiration Toxicity Category 1. Specific Target Organ Toxicity Single Exposure Category 3 (nervous system effects) This product is a consumer product and is labeled in accordance with local regulations for consumer chemicals.

Is WD-40 harmful to the environment?

WD-40 is a positive contributor to the preservation of the environment. Here are a few facts about WD-40 and the environment: WD-40 does not contain Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's), HCFC's, Halon's or 1.1.

What should you not use WD-40 on?

While WD-40 is a versatile product that can be used for lubrication, rust prevention, and cleaning, it is not suitable for all surfaces and applications. Here are some key points to consider: Surfaces: Avoid using WD-40 on plastics, painted surfaces, or rubber, as it can cause damage or degradation over time.

16 Uses for WD-40 Everyone Should Know

Is WD-40 safe to use indoors?

WD-40® Multi-Use Product, America's #1 multi-purpose lubricant, isn't just for the job site, your garage, or the outdoors. Get a can for inside your home and tackle indoor projects with ease. Remove crayon from surfaces, such as tile, walls and more. Help remove broken keys from locks.

Is WD-40 corrosive?

WD40 stands for Water Displacement perfected on the 40th attempt. It's a water displacement spray that contains a blend of lubricants and anti-corrosion properties. Originally developed to prevent rust and corrosion in the aerospace industry, WD40 doubles up as a solvent and degreaser, making it incredibly versatile.

Why is WD-40 banned?

Thankfully for Canadian DIY aficionados from St. John's to Vancouver, this alleged news is completely false. In a statement from WD-40 itself: “It has recently come to our attention that false information is circulating online that WD-40® Brand products are being banned in Canada. This is not a true statement.

Is WD-40 bad to breathe in?

Inhalation: No adverse effects expected from normal use. Breathing of high concentrations of spray mists may cause minor irritation to the eyes, mucous membranes of the throat and nose and upper respiratory tract. Skin Contact: May cause mild irritation or dryness of skin on prolonged contact.

Can WD-40 be absorbed through the skin?

WD-40 can be inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin. Workers such as mechanics or plumbers using WD-40 in confined spaces suffered inhalation exposures to the benzene-containing product. Shop workers in ventilated spaces could still be exposed when the product would come in contact with their skin.

What are the physical hazards of WD-40?

Inhalation: High concentrations may cause nasal and respiratory irritation and central nervous system effects such as headache, dizziness and nausea. Intentional abuse may be harmful or fatal. Skin Contact: Prolonged and/or repeated contact may produce mild irritation and defatting with possible dermatitis.

What precautions should be taken when using WD-40?

Avoid prolonged contact with skin. Avoid breathing vapors or aerosols. Use only with adequate ventilation. Keep away from heat, sparks, pilot lights, hot surfaces and open flames.

What is a better lubricant than WD-40?

Vegetable Oil

This pantry staple is another lubricant alternative to WD-40 that can be easily applied without having to purchase another product. Mostly any cooking oil can be used, and vegetable oil has the added perk of being safe to use on most surfaces, including metal and plastic.

At what temperature does WD-40 ignite?

Flammability: Yes. Flash point: 47°C (liquid phase) Explosive limits: 0.6-8.2% vol.

How to dispose of WD-40?

Aerosol containers that are completely empty of both propellant and contents are no longer considered household hazardous waste and can generally be recycled with other metals. If some content remains in the can, your local county household hazardous waste site is a good resource for safe recycling and disposal.

Is it okay to spray WD-40 on a car engine?

Drive out moisture from flooded engines. From tractors to cars to lawnmowers, WD-40® Multi-Use Product can displace excess moisture from flooded engines. Make sure your engine is turned off, then spray the original WD-40 formula into the carburetor before re-starting the engine.

Is WD-40 harmful to humans?

Swallowing may cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, and other central nervous system effects. This product is an aspiration hazard. If swallowed, can enter the lungs, and may cause chemical pneumonitis, severe lung damage and death.

Can you spray WD-40 indoors?

WD-40 isn't just good for unsticking things that are annoyingly stuck. You can also use it to clean bathrooms, floors, stainless steel and more.

How to get rid of WD-40 smell?

Just use plain soap and water to clean up, use a clean rag to dry.

Will WD-40 be banned in 2024?

All WD-40 Company products including WD-40® Multi-Use Product, WD-40 Specialist®, and 3-IN-ONE® brands will be compliant with the new regulations as of January 1, 2024.

Why do people say WD-40 is not a lubricant?

Myth: WD-40 Multi-Use Product is not really a lubricant. Fact: While the “W-D” in WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, WD-40 Multi-Use Product is a unique, special blend of lubricants. The product's formulation also contains anti-corrosion agents and ingredients for penetration, water displacement and soil removal.

What does WD stand for in 40?

WD-40 stands for Water Displacement, 40th formula. That's the name straight out of the lab book used by the chemist who developed the product. The first company to use WD-40 Multi-Use Product commercially was Convair, an aerospace contractor, to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile from rust and corrosion.

Is WD-40 hazardous?

Inhalation: High concentrations may cause nasal and respiratory irritation and central nervous system effects such as headache, dizziness and nausea. Intentional abuse may be harmful or fatal. Skin Contact: Prolonged and/or repeated contact may produce mild irritation and defatting with possible dermatitis.

How to use WD-40 safely?

Keep this spray away from appliances with heat and from coming in contact with food, as it is flammable and non-edible. Other than that, the home is WD-40's oyster. From the product's most well-known functions to surprising applications, here are many WD-40 uses around your home.

Is WD-40 harmful to skin?

Skin contact: May cause drying of skin and/or irritation. Eye contact: May cause irritation, tearing and redness. Ingestion (Swallowed): May caused irritation, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. First Aid Emergency Procedures Ingestion (Swallowed): Do not induce vomiting, seek medical attention.

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