Cache Container With Preservative Coating

[Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide]

The other day I found a cache container which had been coated with a preservative, and after handling the cache, then getting back into the car I realized that my hands smelled a lot of the preservative, to the point that I was quite distracted by the smell.

 

This made me wonder if this was such a good idea, coating a cache container in a preservative coating. Has anyone here ever run across another cache preserved in this way? Any ideas on whether this should be done? The preservative in this case is Recochem’s Copper II Green Preservative, Copper Napthenate suspended in a petroleum distillate solution.

 

This cache was actually in a children's playground, low enough that anyone playing in the playground could come in contact with it.

 

I wrote to the cache owner but did not get a response for 2 days so I then posted a note about it, to which the owner took offense. Since I had no idea what the preservative was at the time I wrote the note, I thought it was best to warn others who might venture out to the cache to be prepared, and bring work gloves.

 

Was this justified or was I over-reacting?

 

Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide

[+gh patriot]

I propably would have posted a note also. Its not like you said that the cache was gone or dont find it right?

[Dinoprophet]

The page itself currently notes the substance and the possible need for gloves, so they must not have been too offended.

[+AStargirl]

I think you were perfectly justified in writing that note. I know I'd appreciate it if I were going for that cache. I don't mind getting dirty but would prefer not to smell!

[+LaPaglia]

The other day I found a cache container which had been coated with a preservative, and after handling the cache, then getting back into the car I realized that my hands smelled a lot of the preservative, to the point that I was quite distracted by the smell.

 

This made me wonder if this was such a good idea, coating a cache container in a preservative coating. Has anyone here ever run across another cache preserved in this way? Any ideas on whether this should be done? The preservative in this case is Recochem’s Copper II Green Preservative, Copper Napthenate suspended in a petroleum distillate solution.

 

This cache was actually in a children's playground, low enough that anyone playing in the playground could come in contact with it.

 

I wrote to the cache owner but did not get a response for 2 days so I then posted a note about it, to which the owner took offense. Since I had no idea what the preservative was at the time I wrote the note, I thought it was best to warn others who might venture out to the cache to be prepared, and bring work gloves.

 

Was this justified or was I over-reacting?

 

Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide

 

I would like to know which cache this is. either posted here or in a pm please. This product is also a pesticide.

 

Osmose MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET

Page 3 of 3

SECTION VIII - CONTROL MEASURES

RESPIRATORY PROTECTION: None normally required if good ventilation is maintained. Use a MSHA/NIOSH approved dust high

efficiency filter respirator when sawing or machining treated wood.

VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS: Ventilate via mechanical methods (general or local exhaust) to maintain exposure below

TLV(s), if applicable. Good industrial hygiene practice dictates that indoor work areas should be isolated and provided with

adequate local exhaust ventilation.

PROTECTIVE GLOVES: Wear industrial type gloves.

EYE PROTECTION: Safety glasses, goggles or face shield. Do not wear contact lenses.

OTHER PROTECTIVE CLOTHING OR EQUIPMENT: None normally required. Use as necessary to prevent exposure.

WORK/HYGIENIC PRACTICES: Wash thoroughly after skin contact and before eating, drinking, use of tobacco products or using restrooms.

Edited January 9, 2007 by LaPaglia

[Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide]

The page itself currently notes the substance and the possible need for gloves, so they must not have been too offended.

 

He only posted that "it was covered with a smelly substance" and that gloves might be a good idea after my note was posted on the cache page, and he requested I remove my warning.

 

Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide

[+Kit Fox]

The other day I found a cache container which had been coated with a preservative. and after handling the cache, then getting back into the car I realized that my hands smelled a lot of the preservative, to the point that I was quite distracted by the smell.

 

This made me wonder if this was such a good idea, coating a cache container in a preservative coating. Has anyone here ever run across another cache preserved in this way? Any ideas on whether this should be done? The preservative in this case is Recochem’s Copper II Green Preservative, Copper Napthenate suspended in a petroleum distillate solution.

 

This cache was actually in a children's playground, low enough that anyone playing in the playground could come in contact with it.

 

What kind of cacher hides a pesticide covered cache on playground equipment? I can see the news headline:

 

Children playing on the playground come in contact with mysterious substance, one child admitted to hospital for ingestion of substance. It turns out the objest was part of an online game.

 

Thankfully, an approver archived the cache.

Edited January 9, 2007 by Kit Fox

[+AStargirl]

Good point Kit Fox.

It seems like a strange idea to coat a cache with anything like that. A well-sealed cache wouldn't need a preservative, would it? Is that supposed to make it waterproof or keep it from rotting? If it's the second reason, it probably shouldn't be used as the cache container anyway.

[+welch]

Uh... can you explain what the container is?? I don't understand why they would be treating it unless the box is made of wood (or maybe unpainted metal?)

[Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide]

Uh... can you explain what the container is?? I don't understand why they would be treating it unless the box is made of wood (or maybe unpainted metal?)

 

The box was made of wood, and inside it was the actual cache container. The box was made to look like the bench it was hidden on, but the bench was a loose structure which could easily be flipped over to find and remove the cache container.

 

This was on a sandy play area right beside some play structures.

 

I am SO glad someone took action immediately as I see it's been archived already. I felt there was a problem there, but was getting nowhere with the owner.

 

Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide

[+GaspeCache]

Wow, I'm glad you posted this, and that the cache got archived. I wonder if the contents are also contaminated...after getting it on ones hands, how can they not be? I hope he washes the items thoroughly if he plans to use them in another cache.

[+Dakota Cachers]

Why not treat it with Thompsons Wood Sealer?? Or use a none wood container.

Edited January 10, 2007 by Dakota Cachers

[muttz]

Although the hider probably wasn't intending to cause any controversy, or raise a concern about health and safety while caching, it is poor judgement like this that raises liability concerns. An event made public like this may cause geocaching to be banned. Of course the banning would be hashed out in court, and probably end up being restricted instead of banned, but to do anything that might cause such a course of action to even be initiated is disconcerting to say the least.

[Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide]

Although the hider probably wasn't intending to cause any controversy, or raise a concern about health and safety while caching, it is poor judgement like this that raises liability concerns. An event made public like this may cause geocaching to be banned. Of course the banning would be hashed out in court, and probably end up being restricted instead of banned, but to do anything that might cause such a course of action to even be initiated is disconcerting to say the least.

 

I'm not sure I understand exactly what you mean when you say "An event made public like this" Do you mean the discussion here or the cache being seen by others outside the Caching community?

 

It was not my intention to make this public in the first place - I had many exchanges with the owner before finally giving up and creating this topic. But if people read this, they'll know we are concerned enough to try to deal with this kind of problem ourselves, anyway.

 

Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide

[+welch]

Although the hider probably wasn't intending to cause any controversy, or raise a concern about health and safety while caching, it is poor judgement like this that raises liability concerns. An event made public like this may cause geocaching to be banned. Of course the banning would be hashed out in court, and probably end up being restricted instead of banned, but to do anything that might cause such a course of action to even be initiated is disconcerting to say the least.

 

I'm not sure I understand exactly what you mean when you say "An event made public like this" Do you mean the discussion here or the cache being seen by others outside the Caching community?

 

It was not my intention to make this public in the first place - I had many exchanges with the owner before finally giving up and creating this topic. But if people read this, they'll know we are concerned enough to try to deal with this kind of problem ourselves, anyway.

 

Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide

 

I think he means 'made public' like if this little story got picked up by your local paper or TV station. If people start thinking geocaches are toxic objects hidden near childerns playgrounds, that would be bad publicity

 

 

I still don't quite understand why this caches 'outter shell' was coated. Was the bench it was trying mimic coated too?? Oh well, guess its just something you have been to, to understand

[muttz]

 

I'm not sure I understand exactly what you mean when you say "An event made public like this" Do you mean the discussion here or the cache being seen by others outside the Caching community?

 

Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide

 

I meant as in this being discovered outside of the geocaching community. Like being in the news. Can you see it? Popular game called Geocaching causes a flurry of concern because of a container coated with a TOXIC substance. The container was placed where CHILDREN could be EXPOSED to the DANGEROUS CHEMICAL that was covering the container. It is yet unknown whether this was a deliberate act trying to POISON someone.

 

The media loves words like the ones in all caps.

[+sbell111]

I'm not sure I understand exactly what you mean when you say "An event made public like this" Do you mean the discussion here or the cache being seen by others outside the Caching community?

I meant as in this being discovered outside of the geocaching community. Like being in the news. Can you see it? <snip>.

The media loves words like the ones in all caps.

Ummm, didn't you just do what you counseled the poster not to do? Edited January 12, 2007 by sbell111

[Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide]

 

I meant as in this being discovered outside of the geocaching community. Like being in the news. Can you see it? Popular game called Geocaching causes a flurry of concern because of a container coated with a TOXIC substance. The container was placed where CHILDREN could be EXPOSED to the DANGEROUS CHEMICAL that was covering the container. It is yet unknown whether this was a deliberate act trying to POISON someone.

 

The media loves words like the ones in all caps.

 

The cache was un-archived so it must have been cleaned up somehow.

 

I notified the cache owner of this topic when I created it. The owner said he was going to participate to give his side, and "create a balanced discussion", but has chosen not to make his views known, apparently.

 

Dr Jeckyl and Mr Hide

[+sbell111]

The cache was un-archived so it must have been cleaned up somehow.

 

I notified the cache owner of this topic when I created it. The owner said he was going to participate to give his side, and "create a balanced discussion", but has chosen not to make his views known, apparently.

If it was resolved to the satisfaction of the Reviewer, it's good enough for me. I don't see the need for further blah-blah about it.

[+swaninwa]

Let's hope his other caches aren't coated with the same stuff (he's got like 10 others) If so, I pray he'll be proactive and replace them all ASAP. I'm sure it was an honest mistake, but still...scary to think people might be handling a pesticide and not know it.

Edited January 12, 2007 by swaninwa