I have hesitated about posting this for months but after talking to now to eight mechanics including myself all under the age of 55 (36-55) battling rare endocrine types of cancer I have to. If this breaks any board rules I am sorry. Please understand I am not taking any position on this other than to make you aware of the potential.
Some history at age 43 dispite living a very healthy life style and no history of family cancer I was DX overnight with a rare form of pancreas cancer. I would not accept it and wanted to find out what would cause this with the experts telling me usually exposure to chrorinated hydrocarbons. I knew about Pahs, heavy metals, etc but what are these.
Then I discovered through a CAT mechanic who is also battling cancer parts washer solvents are full of them.
Sure enough like probally most of you I spent probally 5 years in a service station up to my elbows in this stuff not to mention I still have one home in the garage. It would get on my clothes also which I would just wash in the family washer. If you go to the site and check the MSDS sheet which I may add are never on the cans clearly state in the state of cal these chemicals are known to cause cancer yet it is still being sold today with all of us cleaning our parts with what we beleive is a safe product.This is just one manufacturer the other use similiar compositions.Lets be honest how many of us put on protective clothing and gloves prior to cleaning that part.
Please read this link and think twice when using parts washers. I will never prove which is not my intent that this caused my cancer but it did not help.If this post prevents one person from cancer it was worth it.If you open your drum and the solvent is greenish it is definately reused 105, clear could be virgin 105.
http://www.toxictorts.com/safety-kleen-lawsuit.shtml
http://www.safety-kleen.com/MSDS/82310rev10-21-05.pdf