twitcher
Private Member
Alright fellow spreads,
It's recently come to my attention that a lot of our plastering gear, from Bonding to Multi, contains Silica.
Silica is also prevalent in a lot of other building materials like aerated blocks.
The problem is Silica, or more specifically, Crystalline Silica, when breathed in to our lungs, causes cancer.
There's very little information about the harmful effects of Silica on the bags of plaster we use, or the data sheets. In fact on British Gypsum's spec sheets, the Silica is referred to as Quartz (Silica).
If you'd like to check this out for yourselves then have a read of the data sheets on British Gypsum's site, from Multi-Finish to joint compound.
Link Removed
And now for the health based warnings on Silica. Have a read of these:
Link Removed
OSH Answers: 2-Health Effects of Quartz Silica
'Will quartz silica cause cancer?
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded that crystalline silica in the form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources should be classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), upgraded from its previous classification as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). This conclusion was drawn on the basis of a relatively large number of human population studies that together provide sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of inhaled crystalline silica. In many (although not all) of these studies, lung cancer risks were elevated and could not be explained by other factors. Recent reviews have tended to conclude that if exposures are controlled to prevent silicosis, they will probably also prevent cancer. The risk of developing silicosis depends on the airborne concentration of crystalline silica, the particle size and the duration of exposure.
The US National Toxicology Program (NTP) identifies crystalline silica (respirable size) as a substance which may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has not assigned a carcinogenicity designation for crystalline silica.
Will quartz silica act in a synergistic manner with other materials (will its effects be more than the sum of the effects from the exposure to each chemical alone)?
There is disagreement about whether tobacco smoke increases the severity of the effect of silica dust on respiratory impairment. Simultaneous exposure to known carcinogens, for example, benzo(a)pyrene, can increase the carcinogenicity of crystalline silica. A synergistic effect between smoking and crystalline silica and/or silicosis on risk of lung cancer, is also likely.
Is there potential for quartz silica to build-up or accumulate in my body?
Quartz dust can accumulate in the lungs. Inhaled particles are deposited at various locations within the respiratory tract, depending on their shape, mass, aerodynamic characteristics and other physical properties. Most, but not all, silica is cleared from the lungs after inhalation and deposition. The elimination of quartz particles continues for many years after the last exposure. Silica is slightly absorbed into the body. Absorbed silica is deposited mainly in the liver, spleen and regional lymph nodes. Silicic acid absorbed into the blood stream is excreted through the kidneys. '
It's recently come to my attention that a lot of our plastering gear, from Bonding to Multi, contains Silica.
Silica is also prevalent in a lot of other building materials like aerated blocks.
The problem is Silica, or more specifically, Crystalline Silica, when breathed in to our lungs, causes cancer.
There's very little information about the harmful effects of Silica on the bags of plaster we use, or the data sheets. In fact on British Gypsum's spec sheets, the Silica is referred to as Quartz (Silica).
If you'd like to check this out for yourselves then have a read of the data sheets on British Gypsum's site, from Multi-Finish to joint compound.
Link Removed
And now for the health based warnings on Silica. Have a read of these:
Link Removed
OSH Answers: 2-Health Effects of Quartz Silica
'Will quartz silica cause cancer?
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded that crystalline silica in the form of quartz or cristobalite from occupational sources should be classified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1), upgraded from its previous classification as probably carcinogenic to humans (Group 2A). This conclusion was drawn on the basis of a relatively large number of human population studies that together provide sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of inhaled crystalline silica. In many (although not all) of these studies, lung cancer risks were elevated and could not be explained by other factors. Recent reviews have tended to conclude that if exposures are controlled to prevent silicosis, they will probably also prevent cancer. The risk of developing silicosis depends on the airborne concentration of crystalline silica, the particle size and the duration of exposure.
The US National Toxicology Program (NTP) identifies crystalline silica (respirable size) as a substance which may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has not assigned a carcinogenicity designation for crystalline silica.
Will quartz silica act in a synergistic manner with other materials (will its effects be more than the sum of the effects from the exposure to each chemical alone)?
There is disagreement about whether tobacco smoke increases the severity of the effect of silica dust on respiratory impairment. Simultaneous exposure to known carcinogens, for example, benzo(a)pyrene, can increase the carcinogenicity of crystalline silica. A synergistic effect between smoking and crystalline silica and/or silicosis on risk of lung cancer, is also likely.
Is there potential for quartz silica to build-up or accumulate in my body?
Quartz dust can accumulate in the lungs. Inhaled particles are deposited at various locations within the respiratory tract, depending on their shape, mass, aerodynamic characteristics and other physical properties. Most, but not all, silica is cleared from the lungs after inhalation and deposition. The elimination of quartz particles continues for many years after the last exposure. Silica is slightly absorbed into the body. Absorbed silica is deposited mainly in the liver, spleen and regional lymph nodes. Silicic acid absorbed into the blood stream is excreted through the kidneys. '