Detailing Health Risks
This is only a brief summary
of some of the health hazards and risks to your Health and Wellbeing while
detailing
1. Polishing
To remove scratches requires
the removal of paint using a polish or compound. Dust generated by sanding and
buffing is a major risk. The most common abrasive used is silica, which is
much, much harder than aluminium oxide; however, many formulators are also using
aluminium oxide. Most good quality compounds and polishes contain abrasives and
are a combination of both silica and aluminium oxide.
a)
Quartz sand (silica) Inhaling finely divided crystalline silica dust in very
small quantities (OSHA allows 0.1 mg/m3) over time can lead to silicosis,
bronchitis, silica polishes and compounds are carcinogenic, as the dust becomes
lodged in the lungs and continuously irritates them, reducing lung capacities.
(Silica does not dissolve over time.)
b)
Aluminium oxide is used for its hardness and strength. It is widely used as a
coarse or fine abrasive
c) Automotive
paints contain isocyanates (and polyisocyanate), the hardeners or catalysts in
clear coats and some primers.
Isocyanates are strong dermal and lung sensitizers and the leading cause
of occupational asthma, so protect your skin and lungs from exposure to paints containing
isocyanates.
Isocyanates used in clear
coat paint are powerful irritants to the mucous membranes of the eyes and
gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts.
Direct skin contact can also cause
marked inflammation. Isocyanates can also sensitize workers, making them
subject to severe asthma attacks if they are exposed again. Death from severe
asthma in some sensitized subjects has been reported.
Be cognizant
that whatever you use an abrasive product on a paint surface the chemicals in
the compound and any oxidized paint you use become airborne, so ensure you use
suitable personal protection equipment (PPE) minimum safety glasses and an
approved filtered face mask. The real danger is inhalation of the particulates
as we are usually in close proximity for extended periods of time when polishing
Respiratory Protection
(N95): Materials such as aluminium oxide (Aluminium oxide is on EPA's TRI list
if it is a fibrous form) or silicon carbide (Nuisance Particulate-Accumulation
in lungs) used in polishes and compounds, and powdered fillers (Crystalline
silica poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis). They
represent a hazard to your lungs and may cause respiratory distress.
A
NIOSH-approved half face respirator equipped with a combination filter
cartridge should be worn while using them
2. Noise Levels
[: any unwanted sound. Noise is
measured in decibels and the scale often employed dB(A) is weighted to the
range perceived by the human ear. The decibel system is frequently
misinterpreted as it is based on a logarithmic scale. This means that a sound level of 100dB (A)
contains twice the energy of a sound level of 97dB (A)]
An expert on noise, K.D.
Kryter (1996) in his text, Handbook of Hearing and the Effects of Noise, (New
York Academic Press) defined noise as "acoustic signals which can
negatively affect the physiological or psychological well-being of an
individual."
Reference levels -
Normal conversation - 60-dB A, City Traffic (inside car) - 85dB A
Noise Levels dB (A)
What are the occupational exposure
limits for workplace noise?
Occupational exposure limits
(OELs) for noise are typically given as the maximum duration of exposure
permitted for various noise levels.
Level of noise dB (A) Maximum daily exposure
85 8
hours
91 2
hours
95 1
hour
97 0.5
hour
100 0.25
hour
What is the criterion level? The criterion level,
often abbreviated as Lc, is the steady noise level permitted for a full
eight-hour work shift. This is 90 dB (A) in most jurisdictions, but in some
jurisdictions it is 85 dB (A).
A rise of 10 dB in
sound level corresponds roughly to a doubling of subjective loudness. Therefore,
a sound of 80 dB is twice as loud as a sound of 70 dB which is twice as loud as
a sound of 60 dB. Correspondingly, the
80 dB sound is 4 times louder than the 60 dB sound.
The frequency (Hz)
can cause some sounds to be perceived as loader (dB) than they actually are, distance
also plays an important role in the perceived sound level. Sound levels
decrease by approximately 6 dB every time the distance from the source is
doubled.
A noise level of 35
to 40 dB outside a dwelling is acceptable and a maximum of 45dB should be
adhered to in order to prevent disturbance to residents. Basically, noise is
unwanted sound. It is a pollutant and a hazard to human health and hearing. In
fact, it has been described as the most pervasive pollutant in America.
1.
Hearing Protection; the constant pitch
of a polishing machine could affect your hearing so wearing ear plugs would be
wise to protect you from hearing loss. Studies have shown that one half of workers that wear ear
defenders receive half or less of the protection they should. This is because
their ear defenders are not worn correctly or continuously due to improper or
uncomfortable fit. Ear plugs that are comfortable fit every time and are also
easy to use; the result of this is that the user wears them, and that they do
the job.UK - http://www.ultimateear.com/industrial.php
Machine noise - sound pressure (SPL) dB. (A) or acoustic pressure is the local
pressure deviation from the ambient (average, or equilibrium) atmospheric
pressure caused by a sound wave. Reference levels – Normal speech 60 dB Busy
traffic 70 dB
Meguiar's
G110V2, 55 dB
·
Porter- Cable 7424XP, 55dB
·
Flex XC 3401 VRG, 79 dB
·
Cyclo Polisher
Model 5, 77 dB
·
Makita 9227C 76dB
·
DeWalt DW849, 84 dB
·
Air compressors typically range between 45 and 95 dB.
·
Vacuum cleaner 80-90 dB
The above information has been provided by the Manufacturer and
TOGWT® cannot guarantee its accuracy.
Safety
hazards - always remember that you are using a power tool that must be
given the respect it deserves. As with running any power tool, read the manual
and understand how to safely operate it and what its limits are and the
potential dangers that could result by using it. Never forget for a moment that
given the right conditions, it could kick back and jump out of your hands.
Always wear safety glasses and hearing protection. Also, polishing compounds
often contain silicates that become airborne in the polishing process, inhaled
they could represent real health concerns. Read the safety data sheets and
follow safety directions. Personally, I almost always wear glasses, hearing
protection, a quality dust filter or mask and a buffing apron when polishing
There are also levels of
noise exposure which must not be exceeded (but take account of any reduction in
exposure provided by hearing protection): exposure limit values (ELV) - daily
or weekly exposure of 87 dB or a peak sound pressure of 140 dB.
3. Asbestos
One of the problems
encountered when working on older cars is asbestos. In the years before the
dangers of asbestosis were understood, asbestos was a common material used in
certain car components. It is therefore essential to have an understanding of
what you are dealing with, before diving in and pulling your classic car apart.
Perhaps the most obvious and
well known area to be careful with is brake dust, specifically the dust that
falls out of your brake drum when checking the shoes for wear etc. Great care
must be taken not to inhale the dust that can drop out when the brake drum is
freed off.
4. The
dangers of Auto paints
At one time, VOC's (volatile
organic compounds) were required for paint and finishes to perform properly.
Such paints could contain up to 10,000 chemicals, of which approximately 300
were toxins, and 150 were linked to kidney damage, liver damage, or cancer
Lead pigments have been used
for many years in auto enamels and lacquers. Lead is a poisonous substance to
animals. It damages the nervous system and causes brain disorders. Lead
pigments were used in lead paint for white as well as yellow, orange, and red.
Most uses have been discontinued due of the dangers of lead poisoning. However,
lead chromate is still in industrial use.
For older cars, the refinish
industry can only provide accurate colour matches to vehicles that currently
have paint containing lead on them by using the same lead-based pigments. By
the mid-1980s, a significant shift in lead end-use patterns had taken place. If
you are using these products, you should be careful when sanding-down old
paints. Some older cars may also contain lead auto-body filler.
Aerosol Spray Paint - many of the paints sold in
aerosol cans as touch-up paints contain lead. These are used by car owners to camouflage
small areas of paint chip damage.
5. Lead in Gasoline
(Petrol)
Tetraethyllead (TEL) a
colourless, viscous liquid was once used extensively as a gasoline additive for
its ability to increase the fuel's octane rating.TEL remains an ingredient of 100
octane aviation fuel (avgas) for propeller planes (not jet engines) and until
recently in professional racing. NASCAR in 1998 switched to unleaded fuel after
years of research and when blood tests of NASCAR teams revealed elevated levels
of the metal.
TEL usage was largely discontinued because of the
toxicity of lead
6. Solvents
Most organic solvents are
flammable or highly flammable, depending on their volatility. Many organic
solvents are recognized by NIOSH as carcinogens (e.g., benzene, carbon
tetrachloride, trichloroethylene), reproductive hazards (e.g., 2-ethoxyethanol,
2-methoxyethanol, methyl chloride), and neurotoxins (e.g., n-hexane,
tetrachloroethylene, toluene).
There are three main types:
1. Oxygenated Solvents-
alcohols, glycol ethers, ketones, esters, and glycol ether esters. Oxygenated
solvents are synthesized from other chemicals to form the desired solvent.
Those solvents are typically of a high purity with specifications ranging from
99.0% to 99.9% purity.
2. Hydrocarbon Solvents
(Petroleum Distillates) - aliphatic (include methane, propane, and kerosene,
they are flammable and may be explosively flammable).
3. Aromatic hydrocarbons- are
the most toxic compounds found in petroleum products and include such
substances as para-xylene, benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and xylene, which
are all volatile organic compounds (VOC)
Notes- when using solvents always use Nitrile
medical gloves (usually the blue or purple ones) if you are going to be using
them for any length of time
7. Acid Cleaners
Used as a wheel surface
cleaner Ammonium hydrogen fluoride (NH4HF2) Or Ammonium bifluoride SiO2
(BF) is miss-classified as the safe alternative to hydrogen fluoride, once
mixed with water it becomes hydrogen fluoride one of the most common, and
dangerous, acid wheel cleaners used in automatic carwashes today.
Its effectiveness removing
brake dust and difficult contaminants from wheels is undisputed, but most
chemists say Ammonium bifluoride presents an unjustifiable and potentially
lethal risk. (See TOGWT article "Detailing Chemicals Identification")
The first line of defence is
the products MSDS, obtain one before you use any product, the second line of
defence is to use the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as
protection from potential health hazards. And the most important line of
defence is to allow common sense to prevail and proceed with due caution
8. Hand-arm
vibration
Vibration can cause
a range of conditions called hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). The best known
is vibration white finger (VWF), but vibration also links to specific diseases
such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
HAVS and VWF usually result
from damage to the fine capillaries in the end of your fingers which reduces
blood flow to the extremities of fingers and hands which take on a 'blanched'
effect appearing white.
[What are the symptoms of hand-arm vibration syndrome?
Hand-arm vibration exposure affects the blood flow (vascular
effect) and causes loss of touch sensation (neurological effect) in fingers.
One of the earliest methods used for identifying the severity of these symptoms
was the Taylor-Pelmear classification method, which lists the classification of
the clinical stages of vibration induced white finger. This classification was
widely used in the past] (CCOHS)
For some people
symptoms appear after only a few months of exposure but for others it may take
years. The symptoms are likely to get worse with repeated exposure and can lead
to permanent damage and disfigurement. They can severely limit the jobs that
someone is able to do, as well as affect family and social activities.
The symptoms
include any combination of: tingling and numbness in the fingers; not being
able to feel things properly; loss of strength in the hands; and/or fingers
going white (blanching) and becoming red and painful on recovery (particularly
in the cold and wet, and probably only in the tips at first). This disorder is
cumulative; the longer the symptoms are allowed to persist the worse it will
become DO NOT ignore; seek the help of a health care professional
How tight a grip
you have on the tool will make all the difference; hold vibrating tools as
lightly as possible, consistent with safe work practices; allowing the tool do
the work. Gloves are available that are designed to exceed the rigorous
requirements of the ISO Standard 10819 (ANSI S3.4-2002) for the absorption of
vibration due to direct hand contact with vibrating equipment, machinery or
hand held tools.
9.
High Ambient Temperatures
Seek medical attention immediately if you have any of these
symptoms:
Heat Stroke
·
Warm dry skin with no
perspiration
·
Rapid pulse
·
Confusion, black outs
and/or unconsciousness
·
High fever
·
Throbbing headache
·
Nausea or vomiting
Heat
Exhaustion Signs/Symptoms:
·
Profuse sweating
·
Weakness
·
Muscle cramps
·
Headache
·
Nausea and/or vomiting
·
Skin may or may not be pale and clammy.
Seek shade, loosen any tight
clothing i.e. belt and shoes, and HYDRATE
with cool water
Chill
Mate Neck Scarf - helps to temporarily keep your whole body cool by evaporative
cooling, designed to promote natural cooling relief in hot environments.
Provides almost immediate relief by lowering body temperature by cooling the
carotid arteries in the neck; your body’s main arteries pass through your neck
and it’s where the arteries are amongst the closest to the surface. Studies
show that these simple cooling techniques may help reduce your core body
temperature by as much as 34. OF (1.5. OC). Easy to
activate by soaking in cool water leaving the outside virtually dry to the
touch, without refrigerating or freezing it lasts for up to 8 hours
Hernia
[: the protrusion of an organ or the fascia of an
organ through the wall of the cavity that normally contains it]
There are different kinds of
hernia, each requiring a specific management or treatment. Usually, there is no
obvious cause of a hernia. Sometimes hernias occur with heavy lifting or any
activity that raises the pressure inside the abdomen.
By far the most common hernias
develop in the abdomen, when a weakness in the abdominal wall evolves into a
localized hole, or defect, through which adipose tissue, or abdominal organs
covered with peritoneum, may protrude. Another common hernia involves the
spinal discs and causes sciatica. A hiatal hernia occurs when the stomach
protrudes into the mediastinum through the oesophageal opening in the
diaphragm.
Hernias may or may not
present with either pain at the site, a visible or palpable lump, or in some
cases vaguer symptoms resulting from pressure on an organ which has become
"stuck" in the hernia, sometimes leading to organ dysfunction
Symptoms - most often there are no symptoms; however,
sometimes there may be discomfort or pain. The discomfort may be worse when you
stand, strain, or lift heavy objects. In time, most people will complain about
a growth that feels tender and is growing.
Although a hernia
may only cause mild discomfort, it may get bigger and strangulate. This means
that the tissue is stuck inside the hole and its blood supply has been cut off.
If this occurs, you will need urgent surgery.
A health care provider
can confirm that you have a hernia during a physical exam. The growth may
increase in size when you cough, bend, lift, or strain. Surgery
is the only treatment that can permanently fix a hernia
Material data sheets (MSDS)
Be aware of
dangerous ingredients and request Materials Safety and Data Sheets (MSDS) from
the manufacturer if there is any question.
Material Safety Data Sheet
(MSDS) is required under the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard. The MSDS is a
detailed informational document prepared by the manufacturer or importer of a
hazardous chemical.
It describes the physical
and chemical properties of the product. MSDS’s contain useful information such
as flash point, toxicity, procedures for spills and leaks, and storage
guidelines.
Information included in a
Material Safety Data Sheet aids in the selection of safe products, helps you
understand the potential health and physical hazards of a chemical and
describes how to respond effectively to exposure situations. Although there is
an effort currently underway to standardize MSDS’s the quality of individual
MSDS’s vary. A MSDS may be useful but it cannot substitute for prudent
practices and comprehensive risk management.
An MSDS should be available
for every chemical you use. Read these and follow the recommendations for safe
use and disposal of the material. The target audience for information in a MSDS
is the occupation worker who may be exposed to chemicals at work. However, much
of the information is also relevant to consumers.
Read the manufacturers
application instructions and then obtain and read the MSDS sheet to ascertain
the chemicals used. Although it should be said that an MSDS is a document that
contains details of the hazards associated with a particular chemical and
provides information regarding its safe use. The MSDS is required to state the
chemical's risks, safety and impact on the environment.
An MSDS is a fact sheet
developed by manufacturers describing the chemical properties of a product.
Material Safety Data Sheets include brand-specific information such as physical
data (solid, liquid, colour, melting point, flash point, etc.), health effects,
first aid, reactivity, storage, handling, disposal, personal protection and
spill/leak procedures.
How
to Read a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/gemare/gemare_012.cfm
Chemical
Information (MSDS) A-Z- http://www.ehso.com/msds.php
Definitions
of Terms Used in Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) - http://www.ehso.com/msdsdefs.php
Chemical Abstracts Service
(CAS)
Each
CAS registry number (often referred to as CAS #) is a unique numeric identifier
that designates only one substance; it has no specific chemical significance,
but is a link to a wealth of information about a specific chemical substance.
Since CAS Registry Numbers are not dependent upon any system of chemical nomenclature,
they can provide a reliable common link between the various nomenclatures terms
used to describe substances. And serve as an international resource for
chemical substance identifiers used by scientists, industry, and regulatory
bodies
Environmental Commitment
Contamination of surface
waters arises from the rinse ate discharging to storm drains, which in turn
most commonly drain to rivers and lakes. Chief pollutants include phosphates;
cleaning chemicals (degreasers, etc.) oil and grease. This is almost
exclusively an issue for home/driveway washing. You should never assume that
aqueous solutions can be disposed of untreated via the storm drainage system.
Pending regulations are in place (Clean Water Act and Ground Water Pollution)
to limit the amount of contaminated water that is allowed to be discharged into
storm water systems (i.e. street vehicle washing)
Always dispose of all
non-biodegradable materials from your vehicle cleaning in a responsible manner.
Waste run-off must be disposed of in accordance with federal, state and local
environmental control regulations.
Disposal of Aqueous Solutions
One should never assume that
aqueous solutions can be disposed of down the drain. The storm drain system
takes all the water from outside homes and businesses (rain, over watering of
lawns) and sends it untreated
straight to our local creeks, rivers, bays and eventually the ocean. The storm
drain system is designed as a flood control system to allow water from heavy
rainstorms to flow quickly to our waterways to avoid flooding of our streets,
homes and businesses. However, the
rainwater can pick up pollutants as large as shopping carts or as microscopic
as pesticides and fertilizer and flush it all into our waterways damaging the
fish, plants and other living things in our eco-system.
With few exceptions, it is
illegal for anyone to throw, dispose of or allow anything other than rainwater
into the storm drains. Try to divert car wash water to a landscaped or planted
area. Your local water treatment authority or publicly owned treatment works
will have information on treatment and disposal of these cleaners. Adjustment
of pH and dilution are usually required before disposal to a drain.
Always comply with current water usage and
disposal regulations / water usage restrictions.
A car care product may be
biodegradable and environmentally safe but just remember the dirt, oil and road
grease you are cleaning with it are not, once rinsed off the vehicle paint
surface the resultant solution is no longer biodegradable and environmentally
safe
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Protection
from Potential Health Hazards
1. Warning: Always use ground fault protection
interruption (GFPI) when using any electrical device around water
2. Eye Protection: I
would strongly advise the wearing of safety glasses or visor when operating any
machine polisher.
3. Ear Protection; the
constant pitch of a polishing machine could affect your hearing so wearing ear
plugs would be wise to protect you from hearing loss.
4. Hand Protection; Gloves- with the verity of chemicals a
detailer uses on a daily basis wearing chemical-resistant gloves resist
penetration and permeation, and will provide protection against dermatitis and
chemical burns. Gloves can provide protection, but they must be chosen with
care, the proper selection matched to the hazard is critical.
Chemical-resistant gloves resist penetration and permeation, and cam protect
against dermatitis, chemical burns and corrosion.
5. Respiratory Protection
(N95): Materials such as aluminium oxide (Aluminium oxide is on EPA's TRI list
if it is a fibrous form) or silicon carbide (Nuisance Particulate-Accumulation
in lungs) used in polishes and compounds, and powdered fillers (Crystalline
silica poses a serious inhalation hazard because it can cause silicosis) and
Isocyanate clear coat residue represent a hazard to your lungs and may cause respiratory
distress. Use a NIOSH-approved half face respirator equipped with a combination
filter cartridge should be worn while using them
6. Consult
the current 3M Respiratory Selection Guide for additional information or call
1-800-243-4630 for 3M technical assistance.
7. Material
Safety Data Sheets: Use a ring binder or
other filing system to ensure the appropriate MSDS is always available to
identify hazardous substances
8. Work
Hygienic Practices: Rinse cloves under running water before removing them
9.
Protect
yourself, work safe. As in all things, allow common sense to prevail and proceed with due
caution
GFCI and Extension Cord
Ground Fault Circuit
Interrupter and Extension cord selection is based on two main principles.
First, the cable should be able to carry the current load imposed on it without
overheating. It should be able to do this in the most extreme conditions of
temperature it will encounter during its working life.
Second, it should offer
sufficiently sound earthing to (a)
limit the voltage to which people are exposed to a safe level and (b)
allow the fault current to trip the fuse or MCB in a short time. To meet these
requirements requires consideration of the circuit load current (AMPS) a
reasonable voltage drop, cable thickness (G) and length (feet) and the
over-current protection device
Prime Wire & Cable
Duplex GFCI -residual current device is also known as a ground fault
circuit interrupter (GFCI) junction Box with 6-Ft. cord, Model# GF200806
Portable GFCI duplex receptacle detects power leaks and shuts off electricity
in less than a second to prevent shock. Test and reset buttons Tough jobsite
box with 6-ft. 12/3 SJTW power cord UL listed, meets OSHA standards.
Prime Wire & Cable 50-Ft
extension 12/3 Neon Power Cord — Blue, Model# NS514830 Bright
NEON extension cord stands out for easy identification. 12 Gauge, SJTW, 3 prong
cord features super-flexible vinyl jacket with a cold temperature rating of
-31°F. LIGHTED connector indicates when power is on. Cord is water and flame
resistant and rated at 15 amps, 125V, 1875 watts, UL listed and meets OSHA
standards – Northern Tool
Wire Resistance and Voltage Drop
Calculator - http://www.stealth316.com/2-wire-resistance.htm
Information resource
1.
Wikipedia® Encyclopaedia
2.
American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists
(ACGIH®) publications
3.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Regulations
& Compliance Links
4.
Automotive Detailing Inside & Out; a knowledge base for the perfectionist",
by Jon Miller
5.
TOGWT™ Series of Detailing Articles, by Jon Miller
Current Information
To
be of real practical use, a subject like automotive detailing requires a great
deal of research, and updating as new products become available. The advent of
materials like detailing clay, micro fibre technologies and finely milled micro
diminishing abrasives, suitable for ceramic nanotechnology paints are examples
of why it’s so important to monitor the industries new products, chemical
technologies and ideas that are constantly being introduced, as are the
techniques for applying them, hence all of the in-depth articles will be
up-dated and revised on a regular basis
Always be willing to learn;
because the more you learn, the more you’ll realize what you don’t know. You
should never stop learning, and your quest for information should be part of
your everyday process. It
is said that knowledge is power, with the caveat that it includes access to a
reliable information sources. I would
like to think that these articles become an asset to anyone who is new to
detailing and to professional’s alike, as well as industry experts who seek to
advance their knowledge.
This is not a product
vendor’s catalogue, nor am I a vendor pretending to be an educator, as there
are a lot of companies that are now sponsoring detailing forums, giving advice
and preaching that only the product they sell or manufacture are suitable. In
reality they are just advertisements, with the appearance of educators, mere
salesman. Those who have something to sell can be very persuasive, often using
marketing pseudo-science (i.e.
blurring the distinction between science and fiction) to make a great case
while completely ignoring meaningful facts, like their product adds nothing of
real value.
I purchase all the products
I use, so the endorsement is entirely personal and commercially unbiased, the
product recommendation is based on "Does exactly what it says on the tin"
and it suits my detailing goals. The products mentioned have been personally
subjected to extensive laboratory (using state of the art instruments and
methodologies in some of the world's most prestigious labs) as well as field
testing, and using the methodology and tools cited, which may or may not be the
same as those recommended by the manufacturer.
It has been my experience that
they will perform the task more than adequately, hence the personal
recommendation, as this testing is carried out without sponsorship I have no
intention of publishing any test results. Using the methodology and tools
cited, which may or may not be the same as those recommended by the
manufacturer.
I
hope these articles are informative. They are based on the current status of
technical development as well as my experience with the products.
By
having some understanding of the ‘What’ and ‘Why’ as well as the ‘How’ along
with a little science to help you understand how the chemicals we use react,
you can achieve the results you desire.
I would appreciate it if you
would share these articles as it helps other detailers further their knowledge.
As always if you have
questions, I’ll do my best to answer; bear in mind the only stupid questions is
the one that was unasked. Questions and/ or constructive comments are
always appreciated
Copyright © 2002 - 2015 TOGWT® (Established 1980) all
rights reserved
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