If you are handling your bike chain, you may be concerned, or just wondering how safe this oil on it is…
Is Bike Chain Oil Poisonous?
Many bike chain oils can be poisonous due to the hazardous and harmful ingredients that they contain. Chemicals such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), petroleum, and other synthetics can be poisonous to not only humans, but animals and the environment.
PTFE, for example, is known to be a carcinogen and it has also been scientifically proven that continued exposure can lead to a variety of illnesses. It can also cause extensive damage to marine life and even land animals when they are exposed. The use of PTFE can also create a fume that can travel upwards and isn’t good for humans or animals to inhale.
Should you only use bike chain oil occasionally and with proper protective equipment, you’re likely to be safe, but it should be kept out of sewage systems and away from animals at all costs. Proper use of bike chain oil also only requires a small amount, so that should help you avoid any contact or contamination that could be poisonous.
Is Bike Oil Toxic?
Bike oil isn’t recommended for internal or external exposure to humans or animals due to its toxicity. If accidentally ingested, it could make you very sick, but it is not fatal if only a small amount were ingested. It can cause skin irritation and rashes if it gets on your skin, so you must wear protective equipment if you use it on your bike chain.
Another point to note is that, even if a bike chain oil markets itself as being biodegradable, if it contains any of the above ingredients, it likely isn’t biodegradable. Even when products are touted as biodegradable and it is, in fact, true, they may still live in the environment for many, many years until it biodegrades.
Is Bike Chain Oil Harmful To Skin?
Bike chain oil can have an irritating effect on your skin, and depending on how sensitive your skin is, it could lead to dermatitis. It’s important to flush your skin with water as soon as you notice that you’ve accidentally come into contact with bike chain oil to reduce any inflammation or irritation.
Is It Okay To Put Oil In A Bike Chain?
In terms of oils that aren’t specifically bike chain oil, it’s not advised to use them for cleaning or loosening your bike chain. Cooking oil, motor oil, olive oil, and coconut oil will not be effective in giving your chain the motion and lubrication it needs to work well; in fact, they could end up making your chain worse.
Bike chain oil is designed for bikes, and is efficient in keeping your bike chain intact and moving the way it needs to. However, you only want to use it in small quantities; less is more when it comes to bike chain oil.
Why Is Chain Oil Black?
If your chain seems to go black when you’re using bike chain oil on it, it’s likely because your chain is very dirty. In this case, you need to clean your chain before you decide to lube it up again. Keeping your chain clean will also help increase its overall performance.
Is Bike Chain Lube Poisonous?
Bike chain lubricant can also be poisonous in that it can contain chemicals known to be harmful to plant life, animal life, and humans. When lubricant seeps into sewer systems or comes into contact with people and animals, it can cause illness, and dermal irritation and prolonged or excessive exposure can cause damage to people, the planet, and pets.
Bike chain lubricant that is wet is especially harmful because the oils used in pretty much every single formula will be derived from petroleum. Petroleum is a major proponent of environmental harm due to its toxicity and has also been known to cause health problems for people who have prolonged exposure to wet lubricants.
What Is Bicycle Chain Lube Made Of?
Bicycle chain lube can contain a variety of ingredients depending on its formula. As mentioned, liquid lubes that are either sprayed or applied as a wet lube will sometimes contain petroleum or even Teflon, which are both harmful ingredients for people, animals, and the planet.
A dry lube might contain kerosene, paraffin, or petrochemical, and none of these are particularly safe to handle either. Many dry lubricant formulas are also known to have Teflon in them which can be devastating for both people and the planet after continued exposure.
What Can I Use Instead Of Bike Chain Oil?
As of now, there are no bike chain oil alternatives that are proven to work better than oil. Bike chain lubricants are, however, easier to handle, and it’s possible to find bike chain lubricants with formulas that aren’t as poisonous or harmful to the planet. More work needs to be done to find oil and lubricant alternatives that still work but don’t have toxic chemicals in them.
If you ensure that, when cleaning your bike, you pay special attention to cleaning your chain with simple water, that can help keep a lot of the junk and debris out of your chain. This can help you to some extent when it comes to how frequently you need to apply lubricant to your bike chain.
Can I Use WD-40 On A Bike Chain?
WD-40 is safe to use on bike chains to help give them a thorough clean and remove grease and debris from inside the chain. The benefit of using WD-40 is that, not only is it easier and safer to handle, but it can also help reduce the amount of dust and rust that can accumulate on a bike chain over time.
The drawback to WD-40 is that it’s not going to offer enough of a lubrication effect to help you skip using a bike chain lubricant. WD-40 does have its bike chain lubricant on the market, but according to the brand’s website, it is toxic to people and aquatic life. If you choose to use WD-40’s lubricant, be sure you wear a mask and gloves.