I call bs on you. The guy who retired from doing my chipper blades and stump teeth for Devon told us the stones are as bad for your lungs as the tooth metal.
Ok. Yes! All abrasive powders are bad for your lungs. The wheel I put up is a diamond blade, which is not typically considered an "abrasive" like carborundum or aluminum oxide. And especially carbide dust.
Tungsten carbide dust is classified as a Group 2A carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), indicating that it is probably carcinogenic to humans.
Occupational safety guidelines strictly regulate exposure to carbide dust.
- Diamond grinding wheels produce fine dust particles during the grinding process. While diamond dust is not toxic, inhaling fine particles of any substance can irritate the respiratory system and potentially cause lung issues.
- The primary concern with diamond dust exposure is mechanical irritation to the respiratory tract rather than toxicity. Inhalation of diamond dust is not known to cause classic pneumoconiosis (scarring) like that seen with some mineral dusts. Chronic, heavy exposure to diamond dust has been associated with a condition called "diamond worker's lung"
Plain old rock dust is bad for your lungs, too. Silica (Silicon Dioxide, SiO2) is infamous for causing Pulmonary Fibrosis, along with Asbestos, glass, or anyplace you might be grinding concrete, rocks, bricks, or concrete.
Pulmonary Fibrosis: Prolonged exposure to high levels of
aluminum oxide dust may lead to pulmonary fibrosis, a serious lung condition characterized by scarring of lung tissue. Symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis include persistent cough, difficulty breathing, and fatigue. Inhalation of aluminum oxide dust can cause a lung condition called pneumoconiosis. Occupational safety organizations, such as OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) in the United States, have established exposure limits for aluminum oxide dust to protect workers' health.
Prolonged exposure to high levels of silicon carbide dust may lead to lung damage, including conditions such as pneumoconiosis or silicosis. While silicon carbide itself is not classified as a carcinogen, there is limited evidence suggesting that long-term exposure to high levels of silicon carbide dust may increase the risk of certain respiratory cancers. Occupational safety organizations, such as OSHA in the United States, have established exposure limits for silicon carbide dust to protect workers' health.
