Shell 'toxicity'

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lamanoditrento
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Shell 'toxicity'

Post by lamanoditrento » Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:09 pm

Having repeated heard dire warnings about shell toxicity, I was quite surprised when stumbled across this article:

https://luthiersupply.com/18/informatio ... dndie.html
Trent

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kiwigeo
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Re: Shell 'toxicity'

Post by kiwigeo » Mon Jun 17, 2019 9:02 pm

Most molluscan shells consist of three layers - an outer proteinaceous periosteum (uncalcified), a prismatic layer (calcified) and an inner pearly layer of nacre (calcified). The prismatic layer is aragonite..a form of calcium carbonate. Nacre (=mother of pearl) is interlayered arragonite and elastic biopolymers.

I don't regard shell dust as toxic but I treat it like any other dust in my workshop...I control it and avoid it.
lamanoditrento wrote:
Mon Jun 17, 2019 2:09 pm
Having repeated heard dire warnings about shell toxicity, I was quite surprised when stumbled across this article:

https://luthiersupply.com/18/informatio ... dndie.html
Martin

jfmckenna
Wandoo
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Re: Shell 'toxicity'

Post by jfmckenna » Tue Jun 18, 2019 1:46 am

Yeah I've always heard that too. Interesting. I can imagine in an industrial setting it could cause something like silicosis which is not from a toxin but from the particles of dust themselves. So in any case dust control would be very important as it should be for anything.

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WJ Guitars
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Re: Shell 'toxicity'

Post by WJ Guitars » Tue Jun 18, 2019 3:59 pm

I agree you need to be careful with dust and especially fine dust from shell. I use a mask and set up a dust extractor pipe near the pearl cutting slabs when making inlays.

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