On Thu, 7 Mar 2013 19:39:56 +0000 (UTC), "Danny D."
wrote:

On Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:29:42 -0800, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

It's not mold. It appears to be mold, but if you look carefully, it
doesn't "grow" in a radial pattern, as you would expect real mold to
grow. I've put the dust under a microscope to be sure. It's plastic
dust. Hit is with some heat, and watch it melt

Here is a big zoomable picture of yet another of my screwdrivers
with the white crust on the outside next to a battery with similar
looking white powdery residue. Do you think the crud is related?
http://www1.picturepush.com/photo/a/...g/12361204.jpg

The stuff leaking out of the alkaline battery is potassium hydroxide.
It can be cleaned off with any weak acid. Just smear on some vinegar
to the battery first. If it fizzes and foams, try doing the same to
the screwdriver. If you get the same fizz and foam, it's potassium
hydroxide.

The question, since all my screwdrivers are from the 1980s,
is why some and not others would have the white stuff.
(Note: I inscribed the date on this screwdriver in 1981.)

I do think these white ones were those that I worked in hospitals
with at that time but I don't know if there is any connection.

Well, if it is mold, it has to be one of the slowest growing mold
infestations I have ever seen. I used to manage my fathers apartment
building and I know (black) mold when I see it. The plastic stuff is
nothing like it.

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558