anyone here have any experiences with respiratory problems? from working with these things?
You really should do all silica work in a hood. Silica is no joke… at the very least wear a respirator that’s rated for fine particulates.
Silicosis is a very very real issue; and you can feel the effects rapidly.
All fine powder work should be done with a mask or ideally; in a hood.
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awesome just asking around to see if any one afflicted by this and how you go about living daily life
(my grandfather’s pop was a perlite miner n he got lung problems) just wanting information and such
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definitely dont want any exposure to diminished lung function.
Yea dude. If anyone thinks Working with laboratory media isnt as dangerous as cutting concrete all day as a contractor - well curb stomp yourselves.
Seriously. Have fans blowing outwards.
Do everything outside.
Wear respiratory mask.
Silica and Clay’s aren’t actually dangerous to handle. Silica is like fine sands. You encounter similar risks at a quarry, concrete work, hauling beach sand, etc…and it’s highly dangerous and slightly cancerous if it gets in your lungs Because your body can’t process silica. So you get silicosis. The contigual effective damage is similar to the time it takes for coal miners to get coal miners lung.
A dozen or so times won’t do any damage. Daily exposure and inhalation is extremely bad for you. Ventilation and masks are a must.
If you wear masks and handle properly…well…your entirely getting way more damage from the odors in your labs and chemical fumes everywhere…not to mention the ear cancer noises lab tech encounter all day…
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thank you E. appreciate your input 
Any recommendations for hearing protection?
Active module shooting protection for ears.
Fun times, also pay special attention to flexible fibrous gasket materials, particularly if you’re in an old building with steam. Many of them are asbestos, and, fun fact, the replacements aren’t much better:
https://www.specialtygaskets.com/img/product/description/Garlock%20Blue-Gard%203300%20SDS.pdf
Edit: If you need a gasket like this, I’m fond of: Search Results | Garlock
It’ll stop raised faced flange leaks with steam cuts from leaking out. Good shit.
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