[Rockhounds] Toxic minerals

[Axel Emmermann]

Betty, 

I agree with Kreigh. 
Some minerals are poisonous in a clear and obvious way... Arsenic, mercury,
gallium, thallium (although those last two minerals may never appear in
sizes that warrant cutting. See some Bintall micromounts ;-)))  

Others are poisonous in a much less obvious way. Beryllium and it's minerals
are highly carcinogenic. 
Barite will do nothing to you because the barium sulfate is one of nature's
most insoluble substances. Dust from cutting witherite (barium carbonate),
however, may damage you health or even kill you slowly until you are
completely dead (which is just another funny way of saying that the death by
barium is unpleasant. Not that other deaths are especially pleasant but most
of them are unpleasant in a lesser degree. Loss of coherence being a lesser
symptom of... Oops, I forgot! Aluminum poisoning can do that... Make you
forget things, I mean...and excessive babbling.)
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/barium/casedef.asp
Cutting lead ores... Oh, you know the dangers of lead. Not to speak of the
AHVLP (Acute High Velocity Lead Poisoning which can be caused by standing on
the receiving end of fire arms).
Zinc ore is another story because it often contains cadmium and cadmium:
http://ndt.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/19/5/1308
Zinc itself is considered a heavy metal but it's toxicity is somewhat lower
than the above. Left untreated however:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-the-symptoms-of-zinc-poisoning.htm
And if you look past the commercial message this one sums it up quite
nicely: http://www.doctorjackson.org/health/poisoning.htm 

Every element or compound has some degree of toxicity when inhaled or
ingested.

As with everything in life: 
1) think before you do and take some protective measures.
2) use the right protective measures! A condom will not protect you from the
flu. 

Cheers
Axel



> -----Oorspronkelijk bericht-----
> Van: rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com 
> [mailto:rockhounds-bounces at lists.drizzle.com] Namens Kreigh 
> Tomaszewski
> Verzonden: vrijdag 28 maart 2008 3:58
> Aan: Rockhounds at drizzle.com: A mailing list for rock and gem 
> collectors
> Onderwerp: Re: [Rockhounds] Toxic minerals
> 
> Betty,
> 
> If you are cutting rocks and making dust (or mist) you need 
> to take precautions. Stuff you inhale tends to be cumulative 
> and can be very nasty.
> 
> Look at the chemical formula of the minerals you are cutting. 
> Some elements (mercury and arsenic for a couple examples) are 
> much more dangerous than others, as are some combinations of 
> elements (copper containing molecules as an example).
> 
> Some minerals are relatively safe to touch, but you don't 
> want to ingest them. Others may be absorbed thru the skin.
> 
> You need to think like a chemist. You need to worry about how 
> toxic each chemical is, how much you might encounter (the 
> dose), and the way you are exposed (inhalation, ingestion, contact).
> 
> Doses can be cumulative, especially for radioactives, heavy 
> metals, and inhaled anything.
> 
> You are generally safe taking reasonable precautions against 
> inhalation with most common rocks and minerals, minimizing 
> contact, and avoiding ingestion. Wash up after cutting.
> 
> If in doubt, look up the chemical formula and search for the 
> MSDS. All minerals are toxic at some level of exposure. You 
> just want to make sure you stay below any dangerous level of exposure.
> 
> Kreigh
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> B & B wrote:
> > 
> > Hello
> > Want to know if any body could lend a hand. I am looking 
> for a list of 
> > stones that are toxic. When I am cutting some rocks I know that 
> > Malachite is toxic and so is Iron ore. I use a mask when I 
> am working 
> > with these stones. Is there any more I should be aware of 
> thanks for 
> > all your help Betty 
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