[Rockhounds] Blue Schist

[Jim Murowchick]

Good morning Teri and others
    
    Since blueschists contain glaucophane (an amphibole), is there a health
hazard in using it for lapidary work?  Glaucophane is one of the amphiboles
that can be fibrous (asbestiform) and is closely related to riebeckite
(fibrous form = "crocidolite" or "blue asbestos"), which was linked to
mesothelioma, a lung cancer.  Most of the blueschist thin sections I've
looked at have glaucophane as long prismatic crystals, needles or bundles of
needles and fibers. I'm not a medical expert, but I wouldn't want to mess
with any dust containing fibrous amphiboles.  Those are far more hazardous
than the serpentine asbestos, chrysotile.
    I suppose working the material wet would keep the dust down, but it
wouldn't surprise me if there were fibers in any mist or spray that could be
inhaled.  I would use a good dust mask if I chose to work with it.

    Any better insights on this from anyone?

Jim Murowchick   

On 7/23/07 10:01 AM, "teresa jetter" <territoones1 at ameritech.net> wrote:

> Hi Larry
> could you tell me what the hardness of the Blueschist
> usually is?  It seems from the reading that it can be
> formed from a few different specimens.  Would it be
> good or bad, for cutting cab's?
> Thanks
> Teri J