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FORUMS   Author Message Ed McCormick Joined: : 21-Mar-2004 Started On : 23-Jan-2007 at 11:30:03 AM, #Views : 6244 Topic Subject : RE: A new topic has been added-Re: A new topic has been added-Carcinogens in Alginate( Message Yes, Dan the alginate itself when air borne is much heavier than Cabosil. Within the alginate dust you have calcium sulfate, sodium or potassium alginate, diotomaious earth and other ingredients. It is the diatomaceous earth that contains a bit of free-silica -- tiny amounts. But nonetheless identified as the fear factor. The alginate dust itself needs to be protected against because each ingredient is in a tiny particle form that can lodge in the lungs. Even as wheat flour can and will create dust in the lung in large bakeries. All powder mixing should be done with your health in mind -- that is with a dust mask. With enough dust in the air an explosion can result. We have all read about the hazards of grain dust in wheat elevators. How far do we want to go with this? We as artists must all use common sense in dealing with our materials. The biggest hazard is not free-silca as the quantities are so so tiny -- it's the other dust we create in our own studios, wood dust, powder dust plaster dust. Dusk masks, exhaust fans and common sense handling will all lead to wizened old artists. Regards Ed McCormick -----Original Message----- From: aliforum@lifecasting.org [mailto:aliforum@lifecasting.org] Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 10:31 AM To: info@artmolds.com Subject: A new topic has been added-Re: A new topic has been added-Carcinogens in Alginate( Message( Message No. 1414) -----------------Amazon.com ALI Sponsor --------> NEW! Monster Movie Masks. A two part DVD series on molding, casting and finishing full latex mask. Available through http://www.Amazon.com --------------------------------------------------------> Hello Ed McCormick Post Date : Tuesday 23rd of January 2007 10:31:10 AM Posted by : "Dan Spector" archicast@bellsouth.net Re: A new topic has been added-Carcinogens in Alginate( Message:-- Sherri Breathing silica dust leads to silicosis, sort of like black lung. This is mostly dangerous to those who spend a lot of time in mines, factories, and other mass production situations. Very occasional exposure is not considered significant. Smoking also weakens resistance. I don't think silicosis, horrible as it is, is a form of cancer. I do not see plumes of lightweight dust when I use alginate, the way I did with Cab-o-sil (won't have that in my shop anymore.) So maybe the silica is bound to heavier particles. Ed? Dan -- Dan Spector 901 323 8717 http://www.archicast.com/Lifecast-index1.html > From: aliforum@lifecasting.org > Date: Tue, 23 Jan 2007 10:00:12 -0500 > To: archicast@bellsouth.net > Subject: A new topic has been added-Carcinogens in Alginate( Message No. 1412) > > -----------------Amazon.com ALI Sponsor --------> > > NEW! Monster Movie Masks. A two part DVD series on > molding, casting and finishing full latex mask. Available > through http://www.Amazon.com > --------------------------------------------------------> > > Hello Dan Spector > > > Post Date : Tuesday 23rd of January 2007 10:00:05 AM > Posted by : "Sherri Richardson" Lifecasting@aol.com > > Carcinogens in Alginate:-- > > > > Hi Everyone! > > Hope you all are having a great New Year! I have a consultant asking about > carcinogens in alginate. I think silica is the culprit, does anyone here know > what the dangers/risks are? She was asking for carcinogen free alginate. > > Thanks! > > > Sherri A. Richardson > _www.Treasuredimpressions.net_ (http://www.Treasuredimpressions.net) > > > > ALI is an international organization whose members are engaged in the art and > creative industries. Its purpose is to promote the art of life casting create > public awareness of this unique art form, provide its members with forums to > exchange information, resources to enhance their effectiveness and advance > opportunities for their artistic success. ALI is an international organization whose members are engaged in the art and creative industries. Its purpose is to promote the art of life casting create public awareness of this unique art form, provide its members with forums to exchange information, resources to enhance their effectiveness and advance opportunities for their artistic success.