tags: #publish links: [[Gemstone Faceting]] created: 2022-01-07 Fri --- # Gemstone dust hazard https://www.rockngem.com/dangerous-dust/ https://www.gemsociety.org/article/lapidary-health-hazards/ *subscription only https://cuttingedgesupply.store/blogs/lapidary-library/safety-when-cutting-stones Rock dust is a serious hazard for multiple reasons: ## Silicosis Silica-containing minerals, in particular, cause silicosis in a long-term accumulative and irreversible manner. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silicosis > Silicosis is due to deposition of fine respirable dust (less than 10 micrometers in diameter) containing crystalline silicon dioxide in the form of **alpha-quartz**, **cristobalite**, or **tridymite**. > Personal Exposure Limit (PEL) is 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an 8 hour shift. Very high exposure can cause acute silicosis rapidly (rare), weeks or months. Chronic low-level exposure takes 5-30 years, dose-dependent. Symptoms are progressive, incurable, and eventually cause serious illness and death. Lung cancer risk is also significantly raised. This seems to be primarily about minerals containing actual quartzy silica grains - rather than all silicate minerals. See [this list](https://www.gemsociety.org/article/gemstone-toxicity-table/). Definitely dangerous: - Quartz (amethyst, citrine) - Opal - Granite - Brownstone - Sandstone - Slate - Jasper - Agate - Onyx - Soapstone - Shells (Abalone) - Glass Others: chalcedony, jasper, aventurine, bloodstone, carnelian, chrysoprase, petrified wood, obsidian, flint, chert, nephrite/jade, and tiger’s-eye. ### Commercial cutting and silicosis Lack of dust safety is a major silicosis health crisis for workers cutting gems in some places: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-gemstones-lungs-idUSTRE52F1LR20090316 ## Asbestos The following may contain **asbestos** so dust is *extremely* dangerous: - Greenstone - Serpentine - Soapstone - Tiger's-eye - Talc ## Organic material Cutting shells, especially abalone shell, is a bad idea both for silicosis *and* organic-material content *and* cyanides. ## Toxic rocks https://www.gemsociety.org/article/gemstone-toxicity-table/ Some rocks are also directly toxic, e.g. those with metals such as copper or arsenic **Copper risk**: Turquoise, chrysocolla, gemsilica, malachite, azurite Beryl, emerald and aquamarine contain **beryllium** which isn't great for you. They don't seem to be considered a health risk, however. Some things you just wouldn't work with like cinnabar (**mercury** ore) which may be included in opalite, myrickite, ekanite; or orpiment (**arsenic** ore) or realgar. Cerrusite and crocoite contains **lead**. Crocoite and some others contain **hexavalent chromium**. Some rocks, e.g. fossil-bearing ones, contain above-background **radioactivity** due to migrated radon. Others have direct presence of uranium/thorium and/or their decay product chains. Hyalite contains **uranium**, as may chalcedony and some others. ## Safer things to cut ### Silicates which do not have silicosis risk There are many other silicate gems but they are not silica dust / silicosis risk - Beryl, emerald, aquamarine, heliodor *but some beryllium risk* - Topaz - Garnet - Zircon - Olivine - Tourmaline - Peridot ### Non-silicate gems - Diamond - Sapphire, ruby - Spinel ## Safety measures Don't cut the toxic stuff. Perhaps don't cut the silica-bearing quartzy minerals either... **Dust control**: Wet cutting does not entirely mitigate the problem, but does help. Mists of water containing abrasive and dust are still likely to be a risk. Full close-fitting respirators are advised (shave!) - particulate, N95 or better. Change clothing and shower afterwards. Separated workshop. Ventilation. Dust extraction is recommended, or working outside. Clean up splatter before it dries out and becomes dust. Do not dry sweep - wet clean or mop.