OK. I know most of us know about this problem and how to prevent it. But for newbies and those who don't know, here is a little bit of information and advice that may extend your glassblowing career.
Silicosis. Fibrosis of the lungs caused by long term inhalation of silica dust and resulting in a chronic shortness of breath.
Now all of the rest of this information is just what I have understood from others and my own experience.
Have you ever snapped a rod or cut cold/warm glass in the sunlight? You know, the kind of sunlight that you can see every dust particle in the air. Try it sometime if you haven't. It's pretty scary. These glass particles (silica dust) enter your lungs during a breath and CUT the tissue that is inside of your lungs. These cuts scab up and apparently never heal completely, thus cutting off air supply to vital respiratory capillaries.
How do you prevent this?
Obvious answer: GOOD VENTILATION.
Not so obvious: Some of this dust hangs around on your table and your floor and doesn't get sucked in by the fan that you have placed in front of you.
-One method I use is an extra ventilation tube mounted over my trash can.
-Be clean about your shop and surrounding areas.
-VISUALIZE SILICA. Snap that rod in the sunlight sometime. Look at the density of it. See how it moves in the air. Now every time you preform an act that creates dust, Visualize the dust and make the invisible visible through imagination. Know where it is going and prevent inhalation.
-Drop a smoke bomb in your shop with all fans running. Watch where the smoke goes and how you are moving air.
Take care of yourselves and be aware. We'll all meet up at the end and be happy, healthy, and damn good glassblowers.
Silicosis. Fibrosis of the lungs caused by long term inhalation of silica dust and resulting in a chronic shortness of breath.
Now all of the rest of this information is just what I have understood from others and my own experience.
Have you ever snapped a rod or cut cold/warm glass in the sunlight? You know, the kind of sunlight that you can see every dust particle in the air. Try it sometime if you haven't. It's pretty scary. These glass particles (silica dust) enter your lungs during a breath and CUT the tissue that is inside of your lungs. These cuts scab up and apparently never heal completely, thus cutting off air supply to vital respiratory capillaries.
How do you prevent this?
Obvious answer: GOOD VENTILATION.
Not so obvious: Some of this dust hangs around on your table and your floor and doesn't get sucked in by the fan that you have placed in front of you.
-One method I use is an extra ventilation tube mounted over my trash can.
-Be clean about your shop and surrounding areas.
-VISUALIZE SILICA. Snap that rod in the sunlight sometime. Look at the density of it. See how it moves in the air. Now every time you preform an act that creates dust, Visualize the dust and make the invisible visible through imagination. Know where it is going and prevent inhalation.
-Drop a smoke bomb in your shop with all fans running. Watch where the smoke goes and how you are moving air.
Take care of yourselves and be aware. We'll all meet up at the end and be happy, healthy, and damn good glassblowers.
people care enough to take care of those who don't know
. education is so important! take care, and have fun!
wow, a lot has changed since then. I barely even use my survival skills anymore. KnowwhatImsayin?
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