On Thu, 23 Dec 2004 08:20:30 +0000, John Woodgate wrote:

I read in sci.electronics.design that budgie wrote (in
) about 'Tektronix 465
Scope', on Thu, 23 Dec 2004:

May well have been toluene. It was often used as a cleaner in all sorts
of areas, some as pedestrian as the T/R/S plugs on old lamp-signalling
telephone switchboards. Unfortunately proved to be a carcinogen and was
banned, but it WAS used to clean a myriad of hardware in a myriad of
situations.

Toluene is one of the aromatics that is NOT carcinogenic. From the ATSDR
web site:

QUOTE
Studies in workers and animals exposed to toluene generally indicate
that toluene does not cause cancer. The International Agency for
Research on Cancer (IARC) and the Department of Health and Human
Services (DHHS) have not classified toluene for carcinogenic effects.
The EPA has determined that toluene is not classifiable as to its human
carcinogenicity.
ENDQUOTE

Toluene is available in small quantities as a solvent for contact
adhesive. It DOES attack some plastics, and those it attacks slowly can
exhibit surface dulling and crazing.

They banned it because it was the "active ingredient" in airplane glue,
which kids sniffed and got high.

Cheers!
Rich