Why is silly string so dangerous?
Its large proportion of propellant can also give Silly String two seemingly opposite hazards. Some propellants are flammable, and others become so cold when leaving the container that they can freeze a person's skin.
Is silly string spray cleaner safe for kids?
“ SILLY STRING Brand Spray Streamer, the original fun in a can, is non-toxic, non-flammable, 100% safe for children and the environment and made in the USA. It’s perfect for parties, pranks, play and all-around fun.
What is silly string?
Silly string is a toy of a flexible and brightly colored plastic string propelled as a liquid from an aerosol can. It is a very fun way to play and a simple press of the nozzle on the top of the aerosol can result in a long string of foamy plastic shooting across the room.
What is Silly String brand spray streamer?
“ SILLY STRING Brand Spray Streamer, the original fun in a can, is non-toxic, non-flammable, 100% safe for children and the environment and made in the USA. It’s perfect for parties, pranks, play and all-around fun. Nothing makes people of all ages giggle, laugh, run and squeal like a can or two of SILLY STRING Brand Spray Streamer. ”
What makes Silly String flammable?
Silly string is held by an aerosol can or spray, and these cans use a type of propellant to force materials out. The propellant itself may be flammable, as it can be composed of liquefied gas or another mixture.
What happens if you light Silly String on fire?
It may not take long for the silly string to catch on fire if heat is put on in excessively. The string itself isn't flammable, but the chemicals used to shoot it out of the can are! It can create a hazardous moment if a fire occurs from silly string since it is a toy that it plays with.
What propellant is used in Silly String?
A key component in Silly String is its aerosol spray can and the propellant that ejects the product mixture from the can. The product originally used chlorofluorocarbon propellant Freon 12 mixed with Freon 11, both part of a group of compounds that damage the ozone layer.
What was Silly String originally made for?
Silly String Was Originally Designed To Be An Instant Spray-On Cast For Broken Bones.
Does Silly String dissolve?
All you need to dissolve Silly String and make cleaning it up that much easier is water, mineral spirits, and a spray bottle to mix them up in. Make sure the bottle is filled with equal parts water and mineral spirits. Spray the solution on the messy areas and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
Is Silly String littering?
Silly String is considered by some to be an environmental menace. Because it is a plastic resin, it is not biodegradable. In fact, is has been known to clog up sewer systems and as a result has been banned by a number of cities.
Is Silly String banned in California on Halloween?
Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn recently signed a council-backed ordinance (LAMC Section 56.02) to ban Silly String in Hollywood on Halloween night.
Does Silly String hurt car paint?
The simple answer is: Yes, dried Silly String has the potential to ruin your car's paint and rubber seals. Because it's made of a polymer and plastic resin, it can slowly etch into auto paint and soak through clear coats, especially if it's left to dry under the hot sun.
Is Silly String illegal in the UK?
A recent case (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-14403694) has set the precedent that spraying "silly string" can be considered common assault. Silly string causes no damage and can cause no physical pain. The definition of common assault is not provided by the government and instead is set by case law.
Is Silly String non toxic?
SILLY STRING Brand Spray Streamer is non-toxic, non-flammable and safe for children and the environment.
How did soldiers use Silly String?
Adapting to this threat, troops discovered that Silly String could be used to identify tripwires that were otherwise invisible to the naked eye. The plastic stream can be shot 10 to 12 feet across a room and is light enough to not set off any potential triggers. If the string falls to the ground, no tripwires.
Is Silly String biodegradable?
Besides the slightly terrifying ingredient list, Silly String is not biodegradable. So if not removed, it can clog storm drains and sewer systems. Silly String does have one redeeming quality. It's used in modern warfare to identify, but not explode, trip wires.
What is a silly string?
Silly string is a toy of a flexible and brightly colored plastic string propelled as a liquid from an aerosol can. It is a very fun way to play and a simple press of the nozzle on the top of the aerosol can result in a long string of foamy plastic shooting across the room. The environmentally cautious question then becomes, ...
What is the propellant in Silly String?
The original propellant in Silly String was hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These products are destructive to the ozone layer and the environment in general, not only explaining why they make the product non-biodegradable but also why they have been banned since the 1970s.
What makes Silly String sticky?
Secondly, you have a surfactant that makes the resin foam and become sticky and finally, you have the propellant that forces the chemicals out of the can, helping them to foam and mix as it evaporates. The propellant accounts for about 75% of the liquid inside a can of Silly String.
Why do soldiers use silly string?
In Iraq, for example, soldiers use Silly String before entering a building that they suspect could contain a bomb. Soldiers shoot Silly String across a room before entering. If it all falls to the ground, they know it’s safe to enter.
Why are silly string cans not known?
Unfortunately, the exact chemicals used in silly string cans are not known because the maker is allowed to claim such information proprietary.
Why is silly string used in modern warfare?
Secondly, silly string is used in modern warfare to identify, but not explode, tripwires.
Why do dogs vomit when they eat silly string?
This explains why dogs would vomit and have bloody diarrheas if they ingest silly string. Those that might have ulcers on their oesophageal and stomach linings , would have a hard time eating the silly string and would experience pain and a subsequent lack of appetite.
What is a silly string?
Silly String (generically known as aerosol string) is a toy of flexible, sometimes brightly colored, plastic string propelled as a stream of liquid from an aerosol can. The solvent in the string quickly evaporates in mid-air, creating a continuous strand. Silly String is often used during weddings, birthday parties, ...
What is the ingredient in Silly String?
Other ingredients include silicone fluid (to make the strands easier to clean up), flame retardant, and a pigment for color. A key component in Silly String is its aerosol spray can and the propellant that ejects the product mixture from the can. The product originally used chlorofluorocarbon propellant Freon 12 mixed with Freon 11, ...
Why is Silly String banned?
The use of aerosol string products has been banned in several places for various reasons, including cleanup and removal costs and fears of potential damage to house or vehicle paint.
Does the string catch on tripwires?
The string is sprayed over the suspected area, and if the string falls to the ground, no tripwires are present, since the string would catch on the tripwires (but is not heavy enough to activate the explosive). As of 2006. [update] it was being used by U.S. troops in Iraq for this purpose.
Why is Silly String Flammable?
In order to fully understand Silly String, it is important to understand the science behind it first.
Hazardous Situations
Let’s take a look at a couple of situations where Silly String can be a hazard:
What Other Fun Products Are Dangerous?
Silly String is something that many don’t consider to be a safety hazard. However, as mentioned here, there are products that exist that can be a danger.
Why is the Silly String flammable?
Because the contents of Silly String are under pressure, they can potentially combust if placed near an open flame. The contents are also flammable as they exit the can. The coolant that propels the Silly String out of the can is very cold and capable of causing instant cold burn, or frostbite, if the nozzle is placed too close to the skin during use.
What is a silly string?
Silly String is a colorful liquid polymer resin that is contained under pressure within a can. Also in the can is a coolant, which serves as a propellant that shoots out a stream of resin when a button is depressed. The coolant quickly evaporates, and the liquid resin becomes solid--but still a bit sticky--nearly immediately.
Who invented the silly string?
Silly string was patented in 1972 by the Wham-O company . Although two co-creators are listed on the patent (Robert Cox and Leonard Fish), many sources say that Julius Samann is the individual who should be credited with its discovery.
Is silly string safe for kids?
Silly String has been a common component of children’ s parties and general celebrations for more than 30 years. Despite its marketing to children and the festive ways in which it is employed, there are a few hidden dangers of Silly String that users should be aware of.
Is Silly String bad for the environment?
In the 1970s, the propellant in Silly String was a CFC compound, which has since been deemed to contribute to the destruction of the ozone layer and banned from use in the United States. These types of compounds have not been banned in other parts of the world, however, and other formulations of Silly String containing CFCs may possibly find their way onto shelves in the United States.
Overview
Silly String (generically known as aerosol string) is a toy of flexible, sometimes brightly colored, plastic string propelled as a stream of liquid from an aerosol can. The solvent in the string quickly evaporates in mid-air, creating a continuous strand. Silly String is often used during weddings, birthday parties, carnivals and other festive occasions, but it has also proven useful militarily to detect tripwires
Composition
Silly String is made of a mixture of components dispersed throughout a liquid solvent in the product’s aerosol can. These substances include a polymer resin that provides the string’s structure, a plasticizer to tune the physical properties of the string, and a surfactant that promotes foaming of the product. Other ingredients include silicone fluid (to make the strands easier to clean up), flame retardant, and a pigment for color.
History
The invention of the original silly string was accidental. In 1972, A United States Patent was issued to Leonard A. Fish, an inventor, and Robert P. Cox, a chemist, for a "foamable resinous composition." The partners initially wanted to create a can of aerosol that one would be able to spray on a broken/sprained leg or arm and use as an instant cast. Their invention worked, but when it came down to packaging the can, the two had to test 500 different kinds of nozzles. Afte…
Safety
In December 2006, Tween Brands Inc., a retailer of girls' clothing and accessories in the United States, was fined $109,800 by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for "allegedly distributing canned confetti string damaging to the ozone". EPA said that the product marketed under various names by the retailer damages the stratospheric ozone layer. The production and use of chemicals harmful to that layer is controlled by U.S. federal law.
Military use
Silly String and similar products have been used by the military to detect tripwires for explosive booby traps. The string is sprayed over the suspected area, and if the string falls to the ground, no tripwires are present, since the string would catch on the tripwires (but is not heavy enough to activate the explosive).
As of 2006 it was being used by U.S. troops in Iraq for this purpose. However, because the materi…
Bans
The use of aerosol string products has been banned in several places for various reasons, including cleanup and removal costs and fears of potential damage to house or vehicle paint.
It has been banned in the city of Ridgewood, New Jersey, and a number of other places, and also at some public gatherings and events. The town board of Hun…
See also
• Fabrican
External links
• Official website
• Facebook page