Sticky red dust on APC backup power supply, TOXIC?

[laughing-man]

I got a replacement UPS from APC after the original went dead. It has pry marks on it (even thought they said it woudn't be refurbished) and had some sort of sticky red dust on it. Considering that it has a lead acid battery I do have to wonder if this red dust is toxic.

Also, after sending me a second replacement, APC no longer responds to my emails. They were also quite evasive regarding the pry marks around the seam on the bottom of the unit. It's especially odd that they haven't mailed me a return shipping label for the second one... even after I told them I was going to throw it out if they don't respond soon. They just no longer reply to my emails. I don't understand that.

What do you think?

 

[jay32267]

I think it sounds like that's all you're going to get from them.

As far as the red dust...I'd clean it up. Yeah, it might be toxic if you eat it...but don't eat it. 😉

 

[laughing-man]

But what could it be? I mean, and as far as eating it... I mean, it's gotten on my carpet and other things. So it's probably contaminated a lot of stuff. Will vaccuming clean it up?

 

[jay32267]

It's probably cadmium. I wouldn't vacuum it because it could become airborne. Wipe it up with a damp cloth. Yes...it a carcinogen but lots of things are carcinogens. Just clean it up as best you can and wash your hands.

 

[traxxmy]

A lot of things in your home is far more toxic than this thing. Why worry so much.

 

[laughing-man]

um, traxxmy, please elaborate. And do you even know what the stuff was?

As as for not vaccuming it up, it's way too late for that.

 

[traxxmy]

It probably just a battery sulfation. Corrosive yes. Harmful. Like i said a lot of thing in your home is more harmful.

 

[laughing-man]

The picture I saw of sulfation on the internet was on the battery. And it was white and grey. This dust was on the outside of the unit and was brownish reddish.

 

[Eximo]

It could be anything, but there are some lead compounds that are red. But also rust, plant pollen, soil. It really depends if you think this material is from inside the unit or just happened to be on it.

As for APC no longer responding, start over. Don't contact the person who isn't responding, begin again and get new people. If at that point they don't respond I would trash them on every review outlet possible, twitter and facebook would probably get immediate response from their social media contact. Public embarrassment can go a long way to making corporate bureaucracy move faster.

 

[laughing-man]

And it was on the outside of the unit. Following your advice now. Thank you for assistance.

 

[laughing-man]

we can add paint sanding dust to the possibilities now.


"
I am not sure what it could be, but lead acid batteries do not have any red material in them, nor any kind of dust inside.

They're totally sealed and have silica gel inside between the plates. There's nothing red there.

My guess, and this is only a guess as I have not seen what you're talking about, is that the battery was sitting on the counter when they were painting or sanding/cleaning the UPS. They may have been blowing off the excess paint dust, and it got stuck to the plastic casing of the battery.

This is just a guess."