Beware of Odorlos!

Don S/V ILLusion · Jun 23, 2014

Can you be more specific why you believe this is responsible?

seadaddler · Jun 23, 2014

First

You are the first to make such a claim and the Head miss recommends it
all the time.
I am sorry hard to believe that that is possible from that chemical.
Nick

weinie · Jun 23, 2014

And I was told drinking too much cheap beer was responsible for destroying my boat's plumbing.

Though, as an odorlos user, I'm somewhat curious as to why OP is making this assertion.

seadaddler · Jun 23, 2014

Dissolve

Maybe it needs to be dissolved more in water and maybe it was collecting buildup at the fitting.
What is the holding tank made of and maybe check it for same problem.
Nick

Scott B · Jun 23, 2014

The granules should not be stting in your fittings. Sounds like you weren't flushing enough water through after adding the chemical?

I've used the liquid version for many years.

Don S/V ILLusion · Jun 23, 2014

The warning on the package I have reads:
"Please follow these instructions ( for dilution) as this product is very active and should be used with care. If used properly, it will not harm system".

What can we learn here?

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Jun 23, 2014

This is definitely a first...

Terrel01 said:
I just want warn people that using the chemical called Odorlos can result in disaster. I used the product for about a year and it dissolved the bottom elbow fitting on my 2005 Catalina 320 holding tank. I wish someone had told me when I asked the forum which chemicals were safe.:cry:

It is safe. It's been on the market here in the US since the mid 90s and has become the best selling tank product in both the marine and RV market. I've recommended it widely enough over most of those 20 years that I'd have heard about any previous problem with it (I hear about EVERYTHING!)...you're the first. I just did an extensive search using every search term I can think of, and there's no other mention of it anywhere. But there'd have to be if even one other person has had a similar problem with it cuz if Odolos will damage a hard pvc fitting, it would be even more destructive to soft plastic...i.e. flex pvc hose and even tanks. The 'net would have been resonating with complaints!

The MSDS for the powder version of Odorlos http://www.yara.us/images/5633_ODORLOS_Dry_tcm399-56827.pdf is the most complete and detailed I've ever seen..no mention anywhere in it of any adverse reaction to plastic or any other material...in fact, Section 10 specifically states that there is none.

So I don't doubt that something damaged your fitting, but I don't think it was Odorlos.

One way to find out: Several of you use Odorlos--have used it for years...so 'twould be interesting to find out if any of you can recreate this result. No need to risk any of the installed fittings on your boats, any pvc or marelon fitting off the shelf should do. Meanwhile, I'll contact Yara (the US distributor) tomorrow to see what, if anything, I can find out.

MrUnix · Jun 23, 2014

The MSDS shows it to be nothing more than nitric acid (100%) and PVC is resistant to nitric acid.

Chemical resistance chart for reference:
http://www.grainger.com/tps/raw_pvc_cpvc.pdf

Cheers,
Brad

Ralph Johnstone · Jun 23, 2014

Key Question Here is ..............................

Terrel01 said:
I used the product for about a year and it dissolved the bottom elbow fitting on my 2005 Catalina 320 holding tank.

........................... what is the fitting made from: PVC, nylon, ABS, brass, cast iron, forged steel ? ? ?

If it were papier mache, then I could see the softening effect.

If the holding tank is the same material as the fitting ......... OH SH*T literally, everywhere.

Chuckbear · Jun 24, 2014

We too have been using Odorloss for 5 years on our trawler and the deck pump out is connected at the bottom of the tank and is a plastic fitting, not sure what. No softening or problem here and whatever is in the tank is in constant contact with that hose barb. Chuck

dparilla · Jun 24, 2014

I have used ODORLOS for almost 5 years in our O'day with no issues, and have recommended to over 50 boaters in our marina, so I am particularly intrigued if this is true.

I have several old fittings sitting around that I would happily sacrifice for independent verification. I will grab the granule version this afternoon, and apply it "damp" to several different types of joints. I believe I have a marelon, pvc, hpvc and nylon elbows in the locker.

Terrel01, could you bounce me any other specifics?

fstbttms · Jun 24, 2014

Terrel01 said:
I just want warn people that using the chemical called Odorlos can result in disaster. I used the product for about a year and it dissolved the bottom elbow fitting on my 2005 Catalina 320 holding tank. I wish someone had told me when I asked the forum which chemicals were safe.
:cry:

When I owned a pumpout service, Odorlos is the only holding tank treatment we ever used or recommended. Never had a problem with it, nor have I ever heard of anybody ever having a problem with it, until now. I suspect you are barking up the wrong tree. Or as others have suggested, used it improperly.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Jun 24, 2014

Talked with Odorlos rep today

I called and then sent an email that included a link to this thread....so she has the whole conversation here. She knew of no previous problems with Odorlos either, and assured me they WANT to know about any! Told me she had a meeting with management scheduled today and would definitely bring it up and give them copies of this thread. Promised to report back to me in detail in writing, good or bad, for publication to this thread. My take from our conversation: she WILL follow through, and will be completely honest. So stand by...I'll post it as soon as I get it.

One question for the OP did arise in our conversation: is it possible that you ran out and a dockmate or friend gave you a packet to use that he SAID was Odorlos--might even have thought it was, or thinks it's "just as good but cheaper"--but might not have been?

dparilla · Jun 25, 2014

24 hours in, and no change to any test sample. Tomorrow evening I will change up the mix, because we have a suspicion that the addition of bleach or toilet bowl cleaner may create an exothermic reaction that could cause a degradation in un-reinforced plastic.

To the OP, what was your cleaning regimen? Please help us nail down this issue.

Don S/V ILLusion · Jun 25, 2014

Sounds like the OP had a predisposition to thinking any unrelated problem would be due to head treatments:

Posted By Terrel01 3/31/2013
Safe head treatments?

"Are there any head odor treatments that will not degrade seals and valves over time?"

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Jun 25, 2014

I suspect you're right

Don S/V ILLusion said:
Sounds like the OP had a predisposition to thinking any unrelated problem would be due to head treatments:

Posted By Terrel01 3/31/2013
Safe head treatments?

"Are there any head odor treatments that will not degrade seals and valves over time?"

If I'd seen that one, I'd have replied:

Yes there are...but they don't come in bottles or packages, they're "treatments" applied by the owner: 1. Always keep the pump well lubricated...2. Avoid bleach, pine oil cleaners, Lysol and household chemical bowl cleaners...and 3. do the regular preventive maintenance required to replace worn seals, gaskets and valves BEFORE they wear completely out and fail.

thinwater · Jun 25, 2014

Fitting material? PVC, nylon, or ABS? PVC is softened by heat or solvent, nylon by strong acid, and ABS by certain acids (CLR, for example).

OP, please confirm.

Has acid been used to remove scale? Acid could easily melt a nylon fitting. Seen it done. As for the granules, a specific batch could have a low pH if applied as solid.

But the 2 events are not related and do not indicate a problem with Odorlos; Odorlos could not materially affect pH as diluted. I suspect acid cleaning... if the fitting was nylon. If not, I have no ideas.

---

A lesson is that nylon is a poor material for heads and any system where acid cleaning is foreseen.

Peggie Hall HeadMistress · Jun 28, 2014

Reponse from Odorlos

Received the following email from Jenna Engel, Odorlos sales manager

Dear Terrel01, Thank you for the post. I work with Yara North America, Inc, the importer and seller of Odorlos, and am responsible for its sales and distribution in the US and Canada. I am sorry to hear of your situation, but do not believe Odorlos to be the cause of the damage. Odorlos is an all-natural holding tank treatment that provides safe, long-lasting consistent control of holding tank odor. The ingredients in the product are used by microbes to remove odor and therefore reduces almost all the reactivity of the added nitrate based on the dose applied. Residual salt should not damage PVC. We have not ever heard of this issue and do not believe it was caused by Odorlos. If you have any questions, I would be very happy to discuss. I can be reached at Jenna.engel@yara.com. Jenna Engel Sales Manager. Odorlos Industrial Industrial Nitrates Office: +1 813-222-3847
Email: jenna.engel@yara.com

I think this has settled the issue. Enjoy your sailing season and have a SAFE July 4th weekend!

Beware of Odorlos!

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