From: kempmp@phoenix (Petri Pihko)
Subject: Re: Recipe for nitrate-based flashpowder!
Organization: University of Oulu, Finland
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Mon, 28 Sep 1992 18:12:36 GMT

Dave Richards (daver@felix.filenet.com) wrote:
: In article <1992Sep3.144306.450@nntpd.lkg.dec.com> buda@star.enet.dec.com (Mark A. Buda) writes:
: >
: >In article <1992Aug31.190831.13599@ruc.dk>, pjac@ruc.dk (Peter Jacobsen) writes...
: >>The author of the rec.pyrotechnics FAQ claims that inhaled Al-dust destroy
: >>the lungs. I find it hard to believe since it was used for many years in
: >>inhaled form to relieve the breathing-pains on asthma-patients, and even
: >>today Al-dust is sprayed out in the air in mines in the U.S. and Canada
: >>because it bind dangerous silicate dust
: >
: >Just because it is used, does not mean that it is safe.  I think there
: >needs to be a lot more research done (a lot has already been done), to
: >be able to say the above...

There exists considerable evidence _against_ the toxicity of aluminium dust.
See Ullmann's encyclopedia of chemical technology (Fourth edition, entry
Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys) for a discussion on the subject.

According to the article, _no_ harmful effects have been found to result
from treatment of silicotics with aluminium dust, even though the basic
idea of the treatment is to force as much aluminium into the lungs as
possible. 

The last reports of illnesses due to exposure to Al dust date back to 
1962. Nearly all reporst have come from Britain, whereas similar conditions
in American and Canadian mines and factories have not caused any adverse
effects in workers. It is probable that other substances, notably silica,
have caused the effects mentioned in earlier reports.

Accordingly, in most countries aluminium is usually classified as "nuisance
dust", the same rating as for powdered charcoal, for instance. 

Now, don't take off your dust masks. I hope you are not in need of dust
treatment. 

Personally, I would show much greater concern for the increasing use of
lead compounds in fireworks. (See Lloyd Scott Oglesby's article in The Best
of AFN II on the subject.) It is becoming apparent that lead may be even 
more harmful neurotoxic than the long-feared mercury. The worst problem
with lead is that it slowly creeps into your body and doesn't let go,
entailing a decrease in IQ, slowing down your reactions, without any
manifestable notice. Unlike the lead used in batteries, pyrotechnically
used lead will be effectively spread (in a soluble form) over a large
area. 

Anyone coming up with an alternative to lead crackle stars should be 
awarded the first "Green Man's Daughter" Award. ;-)

Petri












 
: Conversely, just becasuse the FAQ states that it destroys the lungs doesn't
: make it true either.  Particularly disturbing is the anecdote given about
: the first actor to play the tin man in "The Wizard of Oz", whose lungs were
: "destroyed by breathing the aluminum makeup."
: 
: This is simply not true.  He DID have an allergic reaction to the makeup
: that prevented him from continuing the role (contact dermatitis, I assume),
: but his lungs were not "destroyed".  In fact, he continued to be successful
: in the entertainment industry for many years.  For example, he was a regular
: in the series "The Beverly Hillbillies" in the 1960's, ~30 years after his
: problem with aluminum exposure.  And he was still breathing in the 1980's
: (~50 years after) for the series "Barnaby Jones".  Not bad for somebody
: with destroyed lungs.  By the way, in case you haven't guessed, the actor's
: name is Buddy Ebsen.  Perhaps you've heard of him.
: 
: I guess my point in posting this is that it's all well and good to give
: warnings about the dangers of working with materials, but hopefully readers
: of this group are mature enough that we don't need to create false horror
: stories, or greatly exaggerate small mishaps just to scare people.
: 
: Dave
: 

--
 ___. .'*''.*        Petri Pihko    kem-pmp@          Mathematics is the Truth.
!___.'* '.'*' ' .    Pihatie 15 C    finou.oulu.fi    Physics is the Rule of
       ' *' .* '*    SF-90650 OULU  kempmp@           the Game.
          *'  *  .*  FINLAND         phoenix.oulu.fi  -> Chemistry is The Game.