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First time poster with stone dust question

Stone Conversations : Archive 7 : Message 00234

From: "jswanson1" <jswanson1@zzzzzzzzz>
Date: Mon, 1 Nov 2004 09:53:37 -0500
Subject: First time poster with stone dust question

Hi,

I am a "1st time poster" to the site.

I do not work with stone professionally, but over the years I have done
a lot of landscaping with rock, with the most recent project being a
large 3-tired flagstone patio in my backyard. I did not cut any rock
(only the very occasionally chipping of rough edges with a chisel and
hammer) but I did use a few tons of stone dust for the base.

I have been reading the postings of silica-caused lung damage with
interest since I have been feeling some moderate discomfort in both my
stomach and lungs (non-smoker) since I spent about 30 minutes
"dry-vacuuming" out a large quantity of stone dust from the back of my
truck, stupidly without a mask.

In the reading I have done, I noted that freshly cut rock dust can be
very dangerous (I guess the silica fragments are then very sharp and
hot?), but was not sure how toxic a one time very intense exposure to
"old stone dust" that had been sitting around for awhile could be.
Reading some of the older postings on this topic has me pretty
concerned. At this point I'm not sure if my continued (10 day)
discomfort should send me rushing to the Doctor, or if it is a just a
case of lingering hypochondria.

I will not be so careless again, but I am hoping that I have not already
done some permanent damage. Any advice from those who have worked with
this stuff a lot longer and more frequently?

Thanks,
Julie Swanson

-----Original Message-----
From: Kathy Clegg [Kathryn.Clegg@------------]
Sent: Saturday, October 30, 2004 1:31 PM
Subject: [stone] Re: rounded abrasive bricks

John,
Thanks very much for this advice. I will follow it. Although I am an
old
fossil (chronologically, not in my mind), now that I've discovered the
value in
following your heart, I do want to survive a bit longer!

I truly appreciate the sharing you all do!

Kathy
--
Kathy Clegg
University of Colorado - INSTAAR
Campus Box 450
Phone: (303) 492-2915
Fax: (303) 492-6388

Dona Nobis Pacem

Quoting John VanCamp <jvcstnwrks@------------- >:

Quoted text begins.Kathy, if you are cutting concrete , granite, or any other
material that contains silicates, then by all means get the best
dust mask you can afford. Silicate dust gets into the lungs and
grinds away. too much will eventually kill you. Best time to
End of quote.


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