Bead Release Safety

[Redhotsal]

Just wondered if anyone had any definitive information regarding the health and safety aspects of bead release? I think the biggest concern is silica dust - which of course is carcinogenic, but in the quantities that we as beadmakers use and the manner in which it is used, is this an issue?
Does anyone have data? 
Cheers
Sal

[sea-thistle]

Do I have to wear a safety mask for this as well!!lol I know fusing glass, dealing with fibre paper is dodgy. I always removed the fibre paper by soaking the items in water and cleaning them in the water and wore a mask and latex gloves! I soaked my beads in water in a plastic container and threw the release left over in the bin. I don't think it's a good idea to put it down the drains. I know fibre paper can clog them up. Surely if you are scraping dry bead release or kiln wash, then  you should wear a mask and do it in a well ventilated room Or even outside with the wind in the right direction !!lol

[Pegasus]

Good point Sal, sorry I don't have any data on this. My personal theory on this though is to take the health warnings on board and apply common sense. Even if it was deemed safe to use in small quantities, I wouldn't take the risk. I'd much rather live for another 50 years than have to sue a bead release manufacturer in 20 years cause I had lung cancer! I know this sounds far fetched but things like this do happen. I never deal with my bead release unless it is wet, that way there's no risk of it becoming air borne.

Bev
XX


PS - Did I mention I smoke 100 fags and drink 3 litres of vodka a day and skateboard to work down the motorway.........................he he! 

[beadysam]

Sal, I tried to get the data sheet on Foster Fire - but for some reason it wasn't forthcoming.  When I say I tried, I really hassled because I wanted to bring some in and I wasn't prepared to loose the shipment in customs because I didn't have the proper paperwork. Either there is a problem or more likely, they are just unhappy to share the ingredients, although I was told "it is so safe you could eat it"....      Make of that what you will..... 

[saffie]

I will try to hunt something down but the danger ingredient is silica which can cause silicosis when inhaled in teh dust form silicosis can then lead to lung cancer. The exact mechanisms and time scale for this is not entirely clear but you may be able to draw parallels with asbestos. Asbestos has some 40 year latency period and exposure to other unknown factors trigger the mesothelioma. Smoking I believe has a synergistic effect so smoking and exposure to asbestos increases the chance of cancer.

There is lilely to be a dearth of information on this but I will see what I can find
Sam

[saffie]

i posted this in the wiki
http://www.frit-happens.co.uk/wiki/Silica

Sam

[Helen G]

  boy am I glad its only inhilation thats the problem! I managed to stab myself on the thumb with the bead reamer and 2 days later my thumb was big and red. It's fine now but I did worry....phew

[Mary]

I saw a recipe for bead release that included diatomaceous earth, which is used in pool filters I think, you might get more data about it in that area.

[Sarah999]

If I am using liquid bead release out of a tub is that dangerous? I thought it was all perfectly safe!
From where I have removed my beads from the mandrel there is a pile left on my desk, about a weeks worth. Is that bad?
I didnt get told any of this when I was getting taught!
xxx

[Mary]

It's when the dust is in the air and you're breathing it that you need to watch. So be aware when mixing dry powder, or sweeping your table (use a damp cloth instead), and clean your beads under water. It's pretty much the same for anything that is fine powder.

[Redhotsal]

I didnt get told any of this when I was getting taught!
xxx

Well, I think people simply don't know - and it depends on your teacher, how long they've been teaching and where they learned..... if you have a look at the pot of Fusion (if you're using it) - it says very clearly that the substance contains silica and that this is known to potentially cause cancer if you inhale it in powder form.

My question is, I wonder if one brand is safer than another? I would think that they all contain pretty much the same sort of stuff - i.e. silica, as that is a very standard substance used in the whole "refractory" industry - pottery, sand blasting, lampworking etc.

Certainly - you do not want to be breathing any bead release powder in, but then again you don't want to be breathing in any glass-related powders or vapours - be they vermiculite, enamel, or metal fumes. This is why it is imperative to have good ventilation.

Trouble is - I don't seem to be able to come across much in the way of definite information on these sort of topics as applied to beadmaking so it's all a little vague.

Also - we all enjoy making beads and we don't want any finger wagging do-gooders and health and safety freaks to come along and spoil our fun so it's sometimes easy to overlook the nasties. They are after all largely invisible and not likely to give us any SHORT-TERM problems. Anyway - most people are so scared of the gas side of things that they overlook the innocuous looking stuff - like bead release.

Yes, bead release in its wet form is pretty safe - not perfectly safe - but I sure as hell would be reticent to eat any of the stuff!

[Bumpy Beads]

Yes, bead release in its wet form is pretty safe - not perfectly safe - but I sure as hell would be reticent to eat any of the stuff!

Darn it! You mean I have to stop eating those frit 'n fusion sarnies?! 

[mariag]

Yes, bead release in its wet form is pretty safe - not perfectly safe - but I sure as hell would be reticent to eat any of the stuff!

Darn it! You mean I have to stop eating those frit 'n fusion sarnies?! 

Heather is that similar to crunchy peanut butter & would you have jam/jelly with it?   

[ejralph]

Sal, Bead release is more or less the same stuff as kiln batt wash used in the ceramics world.

So I am sure if you search for health and safety data in that area regarding batt wash (kiln wash) you will most likely find more info.

From what I recall though, it is exactly the same sort of risks as using enamels because of the silica.

Emma