Post by Bikerrandy on Jan 5, 2009 20:52:05 GMT -5
Board member "nephrite" said something that got me thinking, so I did some research. I know (as just about all of us probably do know) that we do alot of stuff in this hobby that create hazardous and even "deadly" airborne particles. This is something that rarely gets mentioned on here, and for the new people there are some things that you should know. Here is some info that I copied from a few websites, anymore info is welcome!! (and even encouraged) ;D .......
LAPIDARY
Lapidary involves cutting and carving semiprecious stones and has similar risks as hard stone carving. Stones carvedinclude garnet, jasper, jade, agate, travertine, opal, turquoise and many others.
Hazards
1. The dust from quartz gemstones such as agate, amethyst, onyx, and jasper is highly toxic because they are made of silica. Other gemstones such as turquoise and garnet may be contaminated with substantial amounts of free silica. Opal is made of amorphous silica, which is slightly toxic by inhalation.
2. Gem cutting machines can create very high noise levels.
Precautions
1. See stone precautions above.
2. In the absence of adequate local exhaust ventilation, wear NIOSH-approved toxic dust respirator for sanding, grinding, or polishing operations that create dust. Use wet grinding processes.
FINISHING STONE
Stones can be finished by grinding, sanding, and polishing, by either hand or with machines. Polishing can use a variety of materials, depending on the hardness of the stone being polished. Polishing materials include carborundum (silicon carbide), corundum (alumina), diamond dust, pumice, putty powder (tin oxide), rouge (iron oxide), tripoli (silica), and cerium oxide.
Hazards
1. Grinding and sanding, especially with machines can create fine dust from the stone which is being worked. There are also inhalation hazards from grinding wheel dust (especially sandstone wheels). Some polishing materials such as tripoli are highly toxic if inhaled in powder form.
Precautions
1. In the absence of adequate local exhaust ventilation, wear NIOSH-approved toxic dust respirator for sanding,
grinding, or polishing operations that create dust.
Table 1.
NOT SIGNIFICANT OR SLIGHT HAZARDS,
VERY SMALL AMOUNTS FREE SILICA
alabaster, amber, bone ash, calcite, carborundum, diamond, dolomite, gypsum, hematite, jade, marble, putty (tin), travertine, whiting, wollastonite.
MAY CONTAIN LARGE AMOUNTS FREE SILICA
clays, feldspars, garnet, granite, greenstone, quartz (agate, amethyst, chalcedony, chert, flint, lapis lazuli, lepidolite, onyx, silica flour) opal, pumice, rouge (if silica-containing, iron), sandstone, slate, silica-containing African wonderstone, talc, tripoli, turquoise.
CONTAINING OTHER MODERATE TO EXTREMELY TOXIC INGREDIENTS
asbestos, carbon black (if contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), cerium oxide, cerrusite (lead), coal, corundum (aluminum oxide), cryolite, erionite (zeolite), fluorspar, lapis lazuli (ingestion may create hydrogen sulfide), litharge (lead), malachite (copper), serpentine (may contain asbestos), soapstone (talc), talc (can have asbestos-type materials), vermiculite (asbestos), witherite (barium), zirconia (allergen
From another website.....
What you do not know about a mineral can hurt you. You can not always tell by looking whether or not a mineral contains harmful elements, or if it is radioactive or if it's fumes or dust might be deadly. Most minerals are completely harmless, but with a few simple precautions you can protect yourself from those with potentially deadly effects.
Elements such as lead, mercury, arsenic, uranium, antimony and cadmium are toxic. Without proper identification, you can never be sure if you might be handling some of these potentially dangerous substances. Never lick an unidentified rock, and always wash your hands after handling one. Wear gloves if there is any suspicion that a specimen may contain harmful elements.
Three methods can be used to spot some hazardous minerals. Color is one indicator. If a specimen is an unnatural looking neon yellow, yellow orange or green (such as tyuyamunite, realgar, autunite and torbernite), it is probably a radioactive mineral. Radioactivity, which is found in over 200 minerals, can be easily detected with a geiger counter. Even though most fluorescent minerals are not radioactive, sometimes fluorescence can be an indicator, as the radioactive agent (such as uranium salts) can be fluorescent. Generally, only long term exposure or ingestion would cause problems, but, as the guys at the Smithsonian say, don't put them in your pockets either. Radioactivity can affect fertility in men.
Unless you work extensively with quartz, crystobalite, tridymite or quartz bearing rocks like granite; asbestos minerals (amosite, chrysotile, tremolite, actinolite, anthophyllite and crocidolite); or coal, you are unlikely to be at risk for silicosis, asbestosis or black lung. The hazard from these and other minerals is in the airborne particles that get caught in the lungs or migrate to other areas of the body. Lapidaries should work in a well ventilated space, and they should be especially concerned with avoiding the fumes from working with materials like malachite, natural cinnabar and many shells. Wearing masks can help too. When working any new material, always check John Sinkankas' Gemstone and Mineral Data Book for precautions and possible toxicity. Be safe not sorry.
There's more! .......
This group of six different asbestos minerals comprises hydrated silicates that are fibrous in growth habit. Chrysotile or white asbestos is one of the four most common, with crocidolite, amosite and anthophyllite following.
The fibers can be subdivided into ever-smaller fibers by grinding or abrasion; there is apparently no limit to the degree of fineness attainable. In this lies the hazard, because the human body cannot dispose of very fine fibers once they penetrate into the far reaches of the lung. The result is asbestosis, a diffuse or fibrous scarring of the lung, which is slowly progressive even after exposure stops. Symptoms
are shortness of breath and a dry cough, with no effective therapy, leading to an early death.
Lung cancer is also caused by asbestos and is enhanced by smoking. It is the same type of cancer as that caused by smoking. For unknown reasons, asbestos can cause a localized fibrous scar in the pleural cavity surrounding the lung. It is usually not fatal but interferes with lung function. The most rapidly fatal but least common complication of asbestos exposure is malignant mesothelioma, a tumor in the pleural lining of the lung. It may take 20 to 60 years to show up after exposure.
The common factor in all these asbestos-related diseases is the minimum 10-year latent period before symptoms show up. In this time, the macrophages in the body attempt to phagocytize or build a protective sac around the long fibers, all the while releasing hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anions. These reactive oxygen species damage other nearby cells and the long shape of the fiber prevents complete phagocytosis, which would otherwise protect the body from the invasion. Thus the shape
of the particle determines its toxicity, although there are other subsidiary chemical factors beyond the scope of this article.
The average human inhales 4480 fibers each day, but asbestos workers inhaled 1.5 million fibers a day. Gem and mineral people are somewhere in between, depending upon many variables, but they can lower the level at will.
SILICA
There are seven crystalline silica minerals. Of these, quartz is the second most common mineral in the earth's crust and varies from 22% to 65% in common rocks. Cristobalite, tripoli and tridymite are less common silica minerals. Diseases associated with crystalline silicas like these are silicosis, silicotuberculosis, and cancer.
Silicosis is caused by inhalation of quartz particles 0.5 - 0.7 micrometers in diameter which develop fibrous nodules in the lung's small airways. The nodules may grow together, causing blockage followed by heart or respiratory failure. As with asbestosis, the disease progresses even without further exposure. Silicotuberculosis - This is a silicosis that modifies the progress of tuberculosis. It is now less common in developed countries because of better dust control and chemotherapy.
SILICA AND CANCER
While there is limited evidence for silica as causing cancer, it was a cause in laboratory animals. The OSHA lists silica as probably carcinogenic to humans. As opposed to crystalline silicas, amorphous silicas are less toxic. These include diatomaceous earth, precipitated silica, fumed silica and fused silica.
SILICATES (or chemically bound silicas)
Per se, these are not particularly toxic, unless they are fibrous like the asbestos minerals. Unfortunately they may contain large amounts of free silica, then we are back to the situation in the above paragraphs.
Examples are vermiculite, soapstone, talc, investment plaster, enamel frits, ceramic glazes and clay.
Here's more good info.....
www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/lapidary-safety.htm
LAPIDARY
Lapidary involves cutting and carving semiprecious stones and has similar risks as hard stone carving. Stones carvedinclude garnet, jasper, jade, agate, travertine, opal, turquoise and many others.
Hazards
1. The dust from quartz gemstones such as agate, amethyst, onyx, and jasper is highly toxic because they are made of silica. Other gemstones such as turquoise and garnet may be contaminated with substantial amounts of free silica. Opal is made of amorphous silica, which is slightly toxic by inhalation.
2. Gem cutting machines can create very high noise levels.
Precautions
1. See stone precautions above.
2. In the absence of adequate local exhaust ventilation, wear NIOSH-approved toxic dust respirator for sanding, grinding, or polishing operations that create dust. Use wet grinding processes.
FINISHING STONE
Stones can be finished by grinding, sanding, and polishing, by either hand or with machines. Polishing can use a variety of materials, depending on the hardness of the stone being polished. Polishing materials include carborundum (silicon carbide), corundum (alumina), diamond dust, pumice, putty powder (tin oxide), rouge (iron oxide), tripoli (silica), and cerium oxide.
Hazards
1. Grinding and sanding, especially with machines can create fine dust from the stone which is being worked. There are also inhalation hazards from grinding wheel dust (especially sandstone wheels). Some polishing materials such as tripoli are highly toxic if inhaled in powder form.
Precautions
1. In the absence of adequate local exhaust ventilation, wear NIOSH-approved toxic dust respirator for sanding,
grinding, or polishing operations that create dust.
Table 1.
NOT SIGNIFICANT OR SLIGHT HAZARDS,
VERY SMALL AMOUNTS FREE SILICA
alabaster, amber, bone ash, calcite, carborundum, diamond, dolomite, gypsum, hematite, jade, marble, putty (tin), travertine, whiting, wollastonite.
MAY CONTAIN LARGE AMOUNTS FREE SILICA
clays, feldspars, garnet, granite, greenstone, quartz (agate, amethyst, chalcedony, chert, flint, lapis lazuli, lepidolite, onyx, silica flour) opal, pumice, rouge (if silica-containing, iron), sandstone, slate, silica-containing African wonderstone, talc, tripoli, turquoise.
CONTAINING OTHER MODERATE TO EXTREMELY TOXIC INGREDIENTS
asbestos, carbon black (if contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons), cerium oxide, cerrusite (lead), coal, corundum (aluminum oxide), cryolite, erionite (zeolite), fluorspar, lapis lazuli (ingestion may create hydrogen sulfide), litharge (lead), malachite (copper), serpentine (may contain asbestos), soapstone (talc), talc (can have asbestos-type materials), vermiculite (asbestos), witherite (barium), zirconia (allergen
From another website.....
What you do not know about a mineral can hurt you. You can not always tell by looking whether or not a mineral contains harmful elements, or if it is radioactive or if it's fumes or dust might be deadly. Most minerals are completely harmless, but with a few simple precautions you can protect yourself from those with potentially deadly effects.
Elements such as lead, mercury, arsenic, uranium, antimony and cadmium are toxic. Without proper identification, you can never be sure if you might be handling some of these potentially dangerous substances. Never lick an unidentified rock, and always wash your hands after handling one. Wear gloves if there is any suspicion that a specimen may contain harmful elements.
Three methods can be used to spot some hazardous minerals. Color is one indicator. If a specimen is an unnatural looking neon yellow, yellow orange or green (such as tyuyamunite, realgar, autunite and torbernite), it is probably a radioactive mineral. Radioactivity, which is found in over 200 minerals, can be easily detected with a geiger counter. Even though most fluorescent minerals are not radioactive, sometimes fluorescence can be an indicator, as the radioactive agent (such as uranium salts) can be fluorescent. Generally, only long term exposure or ingestion would cause problems, but, as the guys at the Smithsonian say, don't put them in your pockets either. Radioactivity can affect fertility in men.
Unless you work extensively with quartz, crystobalite, tridymite or quartz bearing rocks like granite; asbestos minerals (amosite, chrysotile, tremolite, actinolite, anthophyllite and crocidolite); or coal, you are unlikely to be at risk for silicosis, asbestosis or black lung. The hazard from these and other minerals is in the airborne particles that get caught in the lungs or migrate to other areas of the body. Lapidaries should work in a well ventilated space, and they should be especially concerned with avoiding the fumes from working with materials like malachite, natural cinnabar and many shells. Wearing masks can help too. When working any new material, always check John Sinkankas' Gemstone and Mineral Data Book for precautions and possible toxicity. Be safe not sorry.
There's more! .......
This group of six different asbestos minerals comprises hydrated silicates that are fibrous in growth habit. Chrysotile or white asbestos is one of the four most common, with crocidolite, amosite and anthophyllite following.
The fibers can be subdivided into ever-smaller fibers by grinding or abrasion; there is apparently no limit to the degree of fineness attainable. In this lies the hazard, because the human body cannot dispose of very fine fibers once they penetrate into the far reaches of the lung. The result is asbestosis, a diffuse or fibrous scarring of the lung, which is slowly progressive even after exposure stops. Symptoms
are shortness of breath and a dry cough, with no effective therapy, leading to an early death.
Lung cancer is also caused by asbestos and is enhanced by smoking. It is the same type of cancer as that caused by smoking. For unknown reasons, asbestos can cause a localized fibrous scar in the pleural cavity surrounding the lung. It is usually not fatal but interferes with lung function. The most rapidly fatal but least common complication of asbestos exposure is malignant mesothelioma, a tumor in the pleural lining of the lung. It may take 20 to 60 years to show up after exposure.
The common factor in all these asbestos-related diseases is the minimum 10-year latent period before symptoms show up. In this time, the macrophages in the body attempt to phagocytize or build a protective sac around the long fibers, all the while releasing hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anions. These reactive oxygen species damage other nearby cells and the long shape of the fiber prevents complete phagocytosis, which would otherwise protect the body from the invasion. Thus the shape
of the particle determines its toxicity, although there are other subsidiary chemical factors beyond the scope of this article.
The average human inhales 4480 fibers each day, but asbestos workers inhaled 1.5 million fibers a day. Gem and mineral people are somewhere in between, depending upon many variables, but they can lower the level at will.
SILICA
There are seven crystalline silica minerals. Of these, quartz is the second most common mineral in the earth's crust and varies from 22% to 65% in common rocks. Cristobalite, tripoli and tridymite are less common silica minerals. Diseases associated with crystalline silicas like these are silicosis, silicotuberculosis, and cancer.
Silicosis is caused by inhalation of quartz particles 0.5 - 0.7 micrometers in diameter which develop fibrous nodules in the lung's small airways. The nodules may grow together, causing blockage followed by heart or respiratory failure. As with asbestosis, the disease progresses even without further exposure. Silicotuberculosis - This is a silicosis that modifies the progress of tuberculosis. It is now less common in developed countries because of better dust control and chemotherapy.
SILICA AND CANCER
While there is limited evidence for silica as causing cancer, it was a cause in laboratory animals. The OSHA lists silica as probably carcinogenic to humans. As opposed to crystalline silicas, amorphous silicas are less toxic. These include diatomaceous earth, precipitated silica, fumed silica and fused silica.
SILICATES (or chemically bound silicas)
Per se, these are not particularly toxic, unless they are fibrous like the asbestos minerals. Unfortunately they may contain large amounts of free silica, then we are back to the situation in the above paragraphs.
Examples are vermiculite, soapstone, talc, investment plaster, enamel frits, ceramic glazes and clay.
Here's more good info.....
www.ganoksin.com/borisat/nenam/lapidary-safety.htm
