IS there any bead release that doesnt contain silica?

nancewbl · #1 2008-03-29, 8:54pm

As much as I try to avoid having dry bead release around my work area - it seems that it sneaks in. It breaks in my press and sometimes I blow it off (probably shouldnt do this), it is dry and dusty when I open the bottle to dip the mandrels. So, I would prefer to use a bead release that does not contain silica or anything too dangerous to breathe in. Does anyone know if there are any commercial products out there that might be more safe?

Thanks so much - Nancy

DaveF · #2 2008-03-29, 10:32pm

Hi Nancy,

Well, this turned out to be long-winded. Hope that's OK...
I'm no expert on this, so please don't take any of this as expert advice...

But for what it's worth, here are some thoughts on this issue. I _think_ everything below is correct, but please don't hold me to it as any kind of expert on the matter. It's just offered as maybe a starting point on a few issues and google-search terms to help you get started investigating further, and verifying the information for yourself. I could be wrong.

Most of what follows comes from speaking with the physiologists I used to work with, (as a research design engineer in a medical school ) - I'm a just a B.S. ECE (electrical and computer engineer) though, not a medically degreed type...) and also from discussions with a professional industrial hygenist/consultant to the arts and crafts community. But, I'm relying on memory and my non-professional "understanding"...

Personally, I don't think I would be too awfully concerned about the silica in bead release (if any) myself, and in those amounts. True, certain forms and particulate sizes of silica can be a health risk. But your lungs can can clear silica. As I understand it, it takes a significant exposure, past the point where your lungs can clear it faster than it is coming in, to have a medically significant silicosis. (By the way, "X-osis" just means "the presence of... X." ) and does not necessarilly imply disease.

Silica is not like asbestos, which can be dangerous even in extremely small exposures. The crystaline structure of asbestos is such that the macrophages in your immune system can't clear it. Instead the needle-like particles kill the macrophages when they try to gobble it up, and the next one that comes along, and the next, etc. The result can be mezothelioma, the unique type of cancer caused by asbestos.

Silica is not that kind of thing from what I understand. You can clear it as long as you aren't exposed to the extent and duration that it overwhelms your system's natural defenses. Of course, you shouldn't breathe any dust routinely, But I wouldn't be too awfully afraid of that, in my -->non-professional, non-medical opinion<--.

One caveat: crystobolite (I don't know if I spelled that right) silica is more dangerous than "regular" silica. One source I know of that stuff, is old fashioned soft fire brick. That stuff is much more dangerous than say, beach sand.

I do not know if there is any "safe" level of that type, or what the maximum safe exposure level might be if there is one.

Personally I don't know what type of silica is used in any particular brand of release, if any. So I again must qualify everything here, by that admission.

If you are concerned, I would certainly ask the manufacturer of any brand you use. They should be able to supply you with an msds (Material Safey Data Sheet) that lists the ingredients, any health risks, safe exposure levels, cleanup measures in case of spills, safe handling instructions, etc. You should also be able to find msds's online for any individual ingredients they tell you are in there. Just google on msds and the ingredient of concern.

Myself, I just keep it wet or damp when cleaning up, wipe up with a damp paper towel, and yeah, I suppose I wouldn't blow it all over the place. But I also don't treat it like it's super dangerous stuff like asbestos, either.

It's a good idea to investigate any materials you use and know how to deal with them safely. That's what msds documents are for, and I wish more craftspersons and artists would take the trouble to learn and educate themselves, and expect the manufacturers to supply them for their products when asked.

One other thing I've been told by a Ph.D. Physiologist: You can't get silicosis from glass. Why? Because it is not a crystaline form, (it is an amorphous solid) and won't cause it. Nice to know that. But cadmium, lead, arsenic, and other metals commonly used in the pigments, which are normally chemically bound safely as silicates, can be released and made bioavailable, and absorbed, when the glass is ground to a fine powder and inhaled or ingested, or is overheated to the point of chemical decomposition and/or vaporized. Personally, I'd be more concerned about that, than the release.

It's good you are concerned, Nancy! I commend you for that. But don't feel you simply have to avoid everything you are unsure of. Instead, just get sure of it. Ask the manufacturer directly.
Hope that helps.

Dave

Dennis Brady · #3 2008-03-29, 10:40pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveF

Hi Nancy,

Well, this turned out to be long-winded. Hope that's OK...
I'm no expert on this, so please don't take any of this as expert advice...

But for what it's worth, here are some thoughts on this issue. I _think_ everything below is correct, but please don't hold me to it as any kind of expert on the matter. It's just offered as maybe a starting point on a few issues and google-search terms to help you get started investigating further, and verifying the information for yourself. I could be wrong.

Most of what follows comes from speaking with the physiologists I used to work with, (as a research design engineer in a medical school ) - I'm a just a B.S. ECE (electrical and computer engineer) though, not a medically degreed type...) and also from discussions with a professional industrial hygenist/consultant to the arts and crafts community. But, I'm relying on memory and my non-professional "understanding"...

Personally, I don't think I would be too awfully concerned about the silica in bead release (if any) myself, and in those amounts. True, certain forms and particulate sizes of silica can be a health risk. But your lungs can can clear silica. As I understand it, it takes a significant exposure, past the point where your lungs can clear it faster than it is coming in, to have a medically significant silicosis. (By the way, "X-osis" just means "the presence of... X." ) and does not necessarilly imply disease.

Silica is not like asbestos, which can be dangerous even in extremely small exposures. The crystaline structure of asbestos is such that the macrophages in your immune system can't clear it. Instead the needle-like particles kill the macrophages when they try to gobble it up, and the next one that comes along, and the next, etc. The result can be mezothelioma, the unique type of cancer caused by asbestos.

Silica is not that kind of thing from what I understand. You can clear it as long as you aren't exposed to the extent and duration that it overwhelms your system's natural defenses. Of course, you shouldn't breathe any dust routinely, But I wouldn't be too awfully afraid of that, in my -->non-professional, non-medical opinion<--.

One caveat: crystobolite (I don't know if I spelled that right) silica is more dangerous than "regular" silica. One source I know of that stuff, is old fashioned soft fire brick. That stuff is much more dangerous than say, beach sand.

I do not know if there is any "safe" level of that type, or what the maximum safe exposure level might be if there is one.

Personally I don't know what type of silica is used in any particular brand of release, if any. So I again must qualify everything here, by that admission.

If you are concerned, I would certainly ask the manufacturer of any brand you use. They should be able to supply you with an msds (Material Safey Data Sheet) that lists the ingredients, any health risks, safe exposure levels, cleanup measures in case of spills, safe handling instructions, etc. You should also be able to find msds's online for any individual ingredients they tell you are in there. Just google on msds and the ingredient of concern.

Myself, I just keep it wet or damp when cleaning up, wipe up with a damp paper towel, and yeah, I suppose I wouldn't blow it all over the place. But I also don't treat it like it's super dangerous stuff like asbestos, either.

It's a good idea to investigate any materials you use and know how to deal with them safely. That's what msds documents are for, and I wish more craftspersons and artists would take the trouble to learn and educate themselves, and expect the manufacturers to supply them for their products when asked.

One other thing I've been told by a Ph.D. Physiologist: You can't get silicosis from glass. Why? Because it is not a crystaline form, (it is an amorphous solid) and won't cause it. Nice to know that. But cadmium, lead, arsenic, and other metals commonly used in the pigments, which are normally chemically bound safely as silicates, can be released and made bioavailable, and absorbed, when the glass is ground to a fine powder and inhaled or ingested, or is overheated to the point of chemical decomposition and/or vaporized. Personally, I'd be more concerned about that, than the release.

It's good you are concerned, Nancy! I commend you for that. But don't feel you simply have to avoid everything you are unsure of. Instead, just get sure of it. Ask the manufacturer directly.
Hope that helps.

Dave

It's a nuisance dust. No more serious than drywall dust.

DaveF · #4 2008-03-29, 10:49pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dennis Brady

It's a nuisance dust. No more serious than drywall dust.

Certainly a much more succinct way of putting it Dennis! LOL!

Dave

Dennis Brady · #5 2008-03-30, 10:10am

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveF

Certainly a much more succinct way of putting it Dennis! LOL!

Dave

I've just got so dang tired of explaining it. Have the same problem with debunking the lead poisoning scare. Condensed the protective warning down to:

Don't eat it. Don't drop it on your foot.

nancewbl · #6 2008-03-30, 10:17am

Dave,

I cannot thank you enough for the reply that you put together for me. In fact, I had been worried about this since I started beadworking since someone had told me that the bead release could be a problem. I feel like a big weight has been lifted. I would not have felt this comfortable if you had not given me all the detail as to "why".

I am so very appreciative of the time that you took to answer me.

Nancy

Frit Diva · #7 2008-04-24, 3:00pm

I agree that mild exposure to silica is probably not a cause for undue concern, and with reasonable precautions regular bead release is safe to use.

I do however, feel the mischevious need to point out that "no more dangerous than drywall dust" could be a little bit misleading, since I'm virtually positive that drywall dust contains silica, as do most plaster and plaster patching materials.