+nfa Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I am a teacher and am working with a student with latex allergies. I want to know for certain what US ammo can gaskets are made from, and thought of gc.com. I though I remembered hearing silicone, but am not sure...any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Jamie - nfa Quote Link to comment
+Frank Broughton Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 (edited) A Google search did not come up with a definitive answer but this thread seems to suggest that the rubber gasket is not latex: http://www.ar15.com/...3&f=16&t=223920 edit: typo Edited September 13, 2011 by Frank Broughton Quote Link to comment
+Steve0512 Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 It would be relatively easy to avoid coming into contact with the ammo can gasket. Quote Link to comment
+nfa Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 This child can suffer from exposure to the latex particles from a balloon in the same room as them...so I'm trying to be sure. Thanks for the replies so far! Jamie Quote Link to comment
+Frank Broughton Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Maybe best not to open a cache at all then. Could be many things made of latex in the swag. Another reason for swag free caches! Quote Link to comment
+nfa Posted September 13, 2011 Author Share Posted September 13, 2011 Maybe best not to open a cache at all then. Could be many things made of latex in the swag. Another reason for swag free caches! We're not caching, we're using it to store food for them at a sleepover camp, to keep it away from mice and such in the cabin. This student needs a food supply throughout the night, so an ammo-can seemed like a possible solution. Jamie - nfa Quote Link to comment
+pppingme Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 I sure don't know, but, if I were looking for an answer, I'd probably hit a local military surplus store, sometimes they are pretty knowledgeable and if they don't know, they'd probably know who would know. Quote Link to comment
AZcachemeister Posted September 13, 2011 Share Posted September 13, 2011 Under these circumstances, I would suggest a thoroughly-washed cookie tin with a tight-fitting lid. No rubber gasket, so no possible latex issues. The metal container will certainly keep rodents out. Much less noisy as the contents are accessed throughout the night! I'm pretty sure an ammo can's seal is neoprene, but it could be Buna-n. Quote Link to comment
+nfa Posted September 14, 2011 Author Share Posted September 14, 2011 Under these circumstances, I would suggest a thoroughly-washed cookie tin with a tight-fitting lid. No rubber gasket, so no possible latex issues. The metal container will certainly keep rodents out. Much less noisy as the contents are accessed throughout the night! I'm pretty sure an ammo can's seal is neoprene, but it could be Buna-n. good thinking...thanks! J Quote Link to comment
+pppingme Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 From experience, cookie tins are not good for camping, unless they are sealed inside something else. They are not air tight, and any scent in them will attract animals, the fact they may have trouble opening it is trivial if the goal is to avoid the animals to start with. Quote Link to comment
+Frank Broughton Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 From experience, cookie tins are not good for camping, unless they are sealed inside something else. They are not air tight, and any scent in them will attract animals, the fact they may have trouble opening it is trivial if the goal is to avoid the animals to start with. Bring a fridge! haha j/k Quote Link to comment
knowschad Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I have one here near me that has a gasket that appears to be ordinary black rubber, although I would imagine the gasket material may be different depending on when the ammo can was made. Quote Link to comment
Pup Patrol Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) We're not caching, we're using it to store food for them at a sleepover camp, to keep it away from mice and such in the cabin. This student needs a food supply throughout the night, so an ammo-can seemed like a possible solution. Jamie - nfa If you're staying inside a cabin, then you don't need to do much more than store the food in a Rubbermaid Roughneck box. A "half-size" one is perfect for food, as there's not a lot of digging to do to get stuff out. If you're really concerned, then you can put something heavy on the lid. We've stayed in a cabin with a very active mouse for a week. All our food was either in the cooler or in Roughneck containers. We had no problems with Dumbo getting into them. Edited September 14, 2011 by Pup Patrol Quote Link to comment
+kunarion Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 If you're staying inside a cabin, then you don't need to do much more than store the food in a Rubbermaid Roughneck box. A "half-size" one is perfect for food, as there's not a lot of digging to do to get stuff out. I think that's a good idea, too. You don't know what all was stored in a surplus ammo can, but a lot of it was very much not food. Then you can save the ammo can to use in the way it was intended -- as a Geocache. Quote Link to comment
+AmphibianTrackers Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 I agree that the previous contents of the ammo can, may indeed prove to be an issue so the other options sound better for this application. It sure sounds like you are creating a lovely experience for this person! Quote Link to comment
+GeoBain Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 This child can suffer from exposure to the latex particles from a balloon in the same room as them...so I'm trying to be sure. Thanks for the replies so far! Jamie Not sure what they are made of. But I too am highly allergic to latex. Been in the ER with anaphylactic shock from latex gloves. I get itchy eyes and scratchy throat if anyone is handling balloons nearby (not necessarily just in the same room). I have had absolutely no reaction to ammo can seals. Quote Link to comment
+GeoBain Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Maybe best not to open a cache at all then. Could be many things made of latex in the swag. Another reason for swag free caches! We're not caching, we're using it to store food for them at a sleepover camp, to keep it away from mice and such in the cabin. This student needs a food supply throughout the night, so an ammo-can seemed like a possible solution. Jamie - nfa In that case I would use a lock n lock. Quote Link to comment
+M 5 Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) Just use a good old fashioned ice chest Edited September 14, 2011 by M 5 Quote Link to comment
+Frank Broughton Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 Just use a good old fashioned ice chest I thought of that too.... that would work perfect. Quote Link to comment
+captnemo Posted September 14, 2011 Share Posted September 14, 2011 (edited) This child can suffer from exposure to the latex particles from a balloon in the same room as them...so I'm trying to be sure. Thanks for the replies so far! Jamie Not sure what they are made of. But I too am highly allergic to latex. Been in the ER with anaphylactic shock from latex gloves. I get itchy eyes and scratchy throat if anyone is handling balloons nearby (not necessarily just in the same room). I have had absolutely no reaction to ammo can seals. My wife is also highly allergic to latex and has never had a problem with an ammo box. However for food storage I would use a loc & Loc or an ice chest not because of latex but due to the original contents and oils of the ammo box. Edited September 14, 2011 by captnemo Quote Link to comment
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