GetCrafty Craft Facts

Q: I have a lot of bags of these 'Abalone' chips which average about 1/4" to 1/2" in size. Please E-mail me for details.

A: Warning - on 'Abaloni' shells - do not drill these without using a mask for protection, and they should be drilled under water. The dust is toxic. This is to be taken seriously! From what I've been reading in other sources, these shells can be dangerous. Dust = Toxic = Deadly. The dust that is produced when you drill or saw 'Abalone' (and other types of shells and rocks which contain 'Silica' and 'Nacre') is not actually toxic per se, but when 'Silica' is inhaled, it causes the lungs to develop scarring. The disease that the 'Silica' dust causes is called "silicosis" and it's very serious, and sometimes fatal. You should always wear a dust mask when drilling shells, rocks, or bones of ANY kind due to 'Silica' and airborne pathogens. 'Silicosis' isn't something that you'd recognize right away - as you were breathing the dust of drilled shells. You wouldn't feel sick or anything. It takes time to develop the symptoms, and by then, you'll probably have forgotten you inhaled any 'Silica' dust, but by then, it's also too late to put a mask on. :O( I've also heard a lot of people talking about using "Cellulite Diatomite" ("diatomaceous earth") in pest control and as a gardening supplement. "Diatomaceous earth" in powder form, can also cause Silicosis if inhaled repeatedly, or for prolonged periods. Please wear respiratory protection at all times when using, or producing 'Silica' dust! 'Silica' dust can be found in many things: rocks (quartz), glass, shells, concrete, etc. Don't take any chances - always use a mask! 'Silica' dust is dangerous enough, but it seems one (or more) of my books say that 'Abalone' shells contain arsenic, which is harder on your body than the 'Silica' by a long stretch.