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Post by Tweetiepy on Apr 12, 2005 11:20:22 GMT -5
As I was prematurely peeking into my polish (alumina? aluminum oxide? micron alumina? - it's a white powder) barrel - okay I was more than peeking, I was digging out rocks to check the progress - well I made a mess of the counter and my hand was very very stained white. Are any of these products harmful to us? I know the grits are not as they're not chemical as such, but the polishes are. I know you shouldn't swallow them, but are they harmful to breathe or have on the skin?
*scrubbing frantically to get all traces of white of hands*
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Rose
Cave Dweller 
Member since November 2004
Posts: 875
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Post by Rose on Apr 12, 2005 11:33:21 GMT -5
Not sure Tweet, but I have started using a mask when putting 220 and especially 400 into my barrels - as twice now I have had an asthma attack about 5 minutes after doing it. Came to the conclusion it wasn't good stuff to breath in around, for me at least !
I usually stick my hand into the polish - so am interested to find out if I shouldn't be too !
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Duckbean
fully equipped rock polisher
Looking for rocks in all the wrong places
Member since February 2005
Posts: 1,072
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Post by Duckbean on Apr 12, 2005 11:44:06 GMT -5
Hi all, I'm not sure about getting it on the skin, but it's not good to breathe! and I've heard that the dust from some of the rocks we work is also bad for you. they say it's best to use a mask. Sure some of the others will have more info.
Bob
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Post by Cher on Apr 12, 2005 12:09:53 GMT -5
I've gotten the aluminum oxide on my hands before but it never stained, it always washes right off. There was an excellent thread about using masks and such and I think there might be some info on this in the Lapidary Tips forum.
If your grinding or using a dremel dry, you should use a mask. That's one reason I keep mine under water all the time, no dust flying about.
Cher
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Post by Tweetiepy on Apr 12, 2005 12:13:10 GMT -5
Cher, I tried the dremel (with earplugs) underwater and some stones have soft calcy parts that dust up the water and make a mess. I used a rubber glove as well - keeps the fingers from getting all pruny - unfortunately, I wasn't paying attention as I was trying to shut of the dremel and caught the glove in the end of the dremel - needless to say, I had a thumb and a forefinger left on my hand - the rest was wrapped around the dremel burr - My contribution to wrapping! ;D
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Post by Cher on Apr 12, 2005 12:18:56 GMT -5
Tweety, you should see stuff in the water since you are grinding off stone. It's just like the grit making slurry but in a smaller amount. It won't hurt anything, it just settles to the bottom of the pan. If your water gets too dirty, dump it (outside or in a bucket) and get fresh water.
Sorry about the ... ummmm ... "wrap" you did. Were you able to get it all off the burr? I suppose that could make quite a mess. Lesson #1. Do not touch burr while wearing rubber gloves if unit is running. *giggle* (sorry, couldn't resist)
Cher
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Post by Tweetiepy on Apr 12, 2005 12:40:23 GMT -5
Cher, Yeah I learn *ahem* fast. I've also learned not to touch the burr to the dish towel either - it does stop spinning pretty fast - I'm surprised the whole pan of water didn't fly off the table - I have managed to do that magic trick nicely on a few occasions. ;D
I still haven't managed to really "shape" a stone yet - I don't have the patience yet to shape for more than a few minutes. I'm still practicing just getting the bumps & caves cleaned out
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Apr 12, 2005 13:07:40 GMT -5
Tweet- See what I mean with using power tools- Can never be too careful- glad it was only a glove a dish towel ;D As far a the toxic effects of the grits and polishes we use- well you do not want to breath the stuff (lung problems) and I would not recommend eating the stuff- but contact with it should not cause too much trouble (unless you have delicate skin) I would wash it off (as it tends to dry out skin) but you should not be peeking in the barrels anyway!
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Post by Tweetiepy on Apr 12, 2005 13:21:33 GMT -5
but you should not be peeking in the barrels anyway! Look me straight in the avatar & tell me you don't peek?  Peeking, I've been told is okay, unfortunately, digging out stones should be prohibited as I have to clean up afterwards. |
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NMRockhound
starting to shine!
Member since October 2004
Posts: 48
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Post by NMRockhound on Apr 12, 2005 18:14:10 GMT -5
I wouldn't worry too much. Aluminum oxide is pretty harmless and non-toxic. The main thing is don't breathe the dust and don't get it in your eyes. Here's an excerpt from a Material Safety Data Sheet I found: Inhalation: Hazard is principally that of a nuisance dust. Coughing or shortness of breath may occur in cases of excessive inhalation. Ingestion: No adverse effects expected. Skin Contact: May cause irritation with redness and pain. Eye Contact: No adverse effects expected but dust may cause mechanical irritation. Chronic Exposure: No adverse effects expected. Aggravation of Pre-existing Conditions: Not expected to be a health hazard. Here's the link to the MSDS if you're really interested: www.stolaf.edu/people/jackson/08-124/gbreport/Aluminum_Oxide_MSDS.pdfHope this helps... - Robert |
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Post by Alice on Apr 12, 2005 19:59:04 GMT -5
Aluminium Oxide, I'm assuming has Aluminium in it (that's whay they gave it the name it has). I remember back in highschool 15+ years ago, in Biology or science class (I can't remember which one it was) we did some research on Aluminium. I don't remember ALL that we found out about it, but I do remember some things like... never stand in the smoke where you are buring Aluminium foil (like baking potatoes, throwing in foil from a cigarette package in a camp fire, etc...) it may apparently, attack your nervous system, and in time (doesn't happen right away) you may have nervous system disorders when you're older. Now I could be totally wrong about this, but I am thinking that if you inhale Aluminium Oxide, it may in time affect your nervous system. Just my unresearched 2 cents  Alice |
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Post by rockyraccoon on Apr 13, 2005 9:24:06 GMT -5
my cat drank some polish with no ill effects. her fur is shiney  . i don't ever worry about a mask when working with my barrels. i try to worry about a mask when grinding or sawing though sometimes i find it on top of my head instead of over my face. our lapidary designer, connrock, needs to come up with a more user friendly face mask with removable velcro mouth piece for coffee slurping and such. kim |
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Post by Tweetiepy on Apr 13, 2005 10:00:23 GMT -5
our lapidary designer, connrock, needs to come up with a more user friendly face mask with removable velcro mouth piece for coffee slurping and such. kim How about a straw? & an IV drip |
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stefan
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2005
Posts: 14,113
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Post by stefan on Apr 13, 2005 10:42:31 GMT -5
Tweet I have not had time to peek latly- As a matter of fact I have switched my recharge play with rock schedule to Saturdays only! I have to get all my rock stuff done Sat morning or else it don't get done! Spring is here and the Metal detecting feilds are just a waiting
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MichiganRocks
starting to spend too much on rocks
"I wasn't born to follow."
Member since April 2007
Posts: 154
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Post by MichiganRocks on Apr 13, 2005 16:30:15 GMT -5
I know the grits are not as they're not chemical as such, but the polishes are. I know you shouldn't swallow them, but are they harmful to breathe or have on the skin? *scrubbing frantically to get all traces of white of hands* Hey Tweetie, don't know who told you that the grits aren't hazardous, but guess again. The grit is silicon carbide and breathing the dust over time can cause Silicosis, a disease that is very similar to lung cancer. Be very, very careful of the finer grits, such as 600 or 1000. They tend to throw up clouds of dust when you use them. I don't know about any real harmful effects of Cerium Oxide, but it does stain badly. If you are using the type with the reddish color, don't get it on your clothes. Ron |
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Emerald
spending too much on rocks
Member since August 2004
Posts: 417
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Post by Emerald on Apr 14, 2005 1:36:41 GMT -5
I had to dig to find this...but below you should find some good info to put you at ease. Silicone Carbide Material Safety Sheet www.newportglass.com/amssilcb.htmand this... www.pcl.ox.ac.uk/MSDS/SI/silicon_carbide.htmlAluminum Oxide Material Safety Sheet www.sisweb.com/referenc/articles/alx.htm (good info here on AO...) After reading these, it was pretty reassuring to me. To be safe, eye protection (for the abrasives) is a must and it appears that a dust mask not a bad idea when dealing with AO. Though, I think even flour would probably mess up your lungs if you inhaled the powder. (remember...baby powder?) I just promise not to sneeze in the general direction of my grits/polishes when I'm working with my rocks. ;D |
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Peeking, I've been told is okay, unfortunately, digging out stones should be prohibited as I have to clean up afterwards.
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