Rock and mineral hunters beware!

[Ragingbull]

Open Channel - U.S. warns workers on cancer-causing mineral erionite

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragingbull Open Channel - U.S. warns workers on cancer-causing mineral erionite

First of all, this is one of those "MAY" pieces and will likely be reversed in 6-12 months. Second, I don't believe anything from MSNBC. Third, one of the most hazardous materials we see and use daily is Dihydrogen Monoxide. Worry about that stuff.

[LadyFitz...]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamguy First of all, this is one of those "MAY" pieces and will likely be reversed in 6-12 months. Second, I don't believe anything from MSNBC. Third, one of the most hazardous materials we see and use daily is Dihydrogen Monoxide. Worry about that stuff.

I Googled erionite to find out what the heck it was and saw plenty of references to it being as dangerous as asbestos so I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it.

Even though this site treats it tongue in cheek, you are correct about the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide (unless it is pure, of course).

[Ray,IN]

The referenced article indicates this is a danger for those working in quarries and road construction. It says nothing about rock collecting.

[wa8yxm]

I have to agree with the last post "Workers" not folks picking up rocks.

The danger is from long term exposure to the DUST. and long term exposure to DUST is dangerous no matter what the dust. Diffrerent dusts different dangers, but dangerous non the less.

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LadyFitz... I Googled erionite to find out what the heck it was and saw plenty of references to it being as dangerous as asbestos so I wouldn't be so quick to dismiss it. Even though this site treats it tongue in cheek, you are correct about the dangers of dihydrogen monoxide (unless it is pure, of course).

I have been known to put a 'pinch between my cheek and gums' (after mixing it with good bourbon). I'm still kickin'.

As to asbestos, it is the fibers that are dangerous. When the big push to remove all the asbestos in the world came about, they took materials that were imbedded in sealant/bingers and made it hundreds of times more dangerous than it was if left alone. Rather like worrying about poison in a bottle and then spraying it around to get rid of it.

I put it in the same category as Mercury (Hg). Certainly it is potentially dangerous but one need not scream and run for the hills at the sight of it. IMHO, YMMV

[jimbo16720]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamguy I have been known to put a 'pinch between my cheek and gums' (after mixing it with good bourbon). I'm still kickin'. As to asbestos, it is the fibers that are dangerous. When the big push to remove all the asbestos in the world came about, they took materials that were imbedded in sealant/bingers and made it hundreds of times more dangerous than it was if left alone. Rather like worrying about poison in a bottle and then spraying it around to get rid of it. I put it in the same category as Mercury (Hg). Certainly it is potentially dangerous but one need not scream and run for the hills at the sight of it. IMHO, YMMV

And they used mercury for filling teeth......

[jfran304]

Anybody remember buying mercury from the local drug store and coating silver coins with it? If it is as dangerous as they say it is I should be dead.

Jon

[Mike Thomas]

Asbestos, lead paint, R12 refrigerant, mold, mercury, and the list goes on and on. All of these products have some health risk to them. All of them made some lawyers, manufacturers, governments, regulating agencies, and others very rich.

[wa8yxm]

According to a recent survey the greatest threat to our health and welfare was the epidemic of LAWYERS that is sweeping the nation.. Tom Paxton-Lyrics-One Million Lawyers

Explains it way better than I can.. I did not check the copyright on that page but the first time I heard that song....... Over 10 years ago.

[LadyFitz...]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo16720 And they used mercury for filling teeth......

They still do.

[LadyFitz...]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfran304 Anybody remember buying mercury from the local drug store and coating silver coins with it? If it is as dangerous as they say it is I should be dead. Jon

We always coated copper pennies with it to make them silvery. don't know why you did the silver coins?

[hamguy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wa8yxm According to a recent survey the greatest threat to our health and welfare was the epidemic of LAWYERS that is sweeping the nation.. Tom Paxton-Lyrics-One Million Lawyers Explains it way better than I can.. I did not check the copyright on that page but the first time I heard that song....... Over 10 years ago.

I agree and I am a lawyer.

[Dunner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jfran304 Anybody remember buying mercury from the local drug store and coating silver coins with it? If it is as dangerous as they say it is I should be dead. Jon

I can picture myself sitting on the floor with my dad supplying the mercury that we coated dimes with many times. Might explain a few things.


And, don't dismiss that know fact that swallowing small amount of saliva, over a long period of time, causes death.

Also, breathing large amounts of Nitrogen laced air, over a long period of time will cause death.