^: "Do with this what you will: ignore, or take precautions. I am certainly not advocating panic, nor of getting rid of SiC, and have no plans to throw out my SiC stones. But will take some common sense precautions as suggested in the NJ and Oregon guidelines (the bolded articles). I think also, if I were working around high speed grinding equipment that involved SiC abrasives, I would at least be checking out options for safe work area including air filtration or particle masks."
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Possible health risks of working with silicon carbide
- Thread starter maximus83
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^Yes, I provided that link right, it's right in my bulleted list? 
That's the relative good news, which I added for that reason trying to provide well rounded info: that the AVAILABLE studies don't show there's a cancer link for those of us who work outside the SiC production industry, they only have studies at present that prove a link for workers in that specific industry. Yet the concern in the larger scientific community--and the government regs and guidelines like those from NJ and American Cancer society reflect this--indicate there's still concern that there's a link.
For example, the Lancet (leading British medical journal), published a report that included the following, which is also referenced in one of the linked articles:
"Occupational exposures to silicon carbide (CAS No. 409-21-2 ), which is used to make grinding wheels, cutting tools, refractory linings and other products, can cause lung cancer when the chemical is made in an electric furnace using a method called the Acheson process, IARC said in a paper that summarizes the conclusions an expert panel made during an October meeting.
The panel also concluded that silicon carbide “whiskers”—long fibers that are manufactured as substitutes for asbestos—are probably carcinogenic to people, IARC said."
Bottom line: the evidence is not all in yet. We really don't KNOW, but folks studying it see some possible link. IMHO, the best reaction is not to freak out, start banning things, or quit using SiC based on that. But just to be aware and take some commonsense precautions. In my case: run the stones wet, no food or open-top drinks in the work area, hand washing and cleaning off the stones well after use. That's it. And the additional thing that if I personally ever get into use a belt sander, or a guided sharpening gadget which contain SiC abrasives and there's potential for a lot of airborne dust, I'm gonna use a particle mask while working with it.
That's the relative good news, which I added for that reason trying to provide well rounded info: that the AVAILABLE studies don't show there's a cancer link for those of us who work outside the SiC production industry, they only have studies at present that prove a link for workers in that specific industry. Yet the concern in the larger scientific community--and the government regs and guidelines like those from NJ and American Cancer society reflect this--indicate there's still concern that there's a link. For example, the Lancet (leading British medical journal), published a report that included the following, which is also referenced in one of the linked articles:
"Occupational exposures to silicon carbide (CAS No. 409-21-2 ), which is used to make grinding wheels, cutting tools, refractory linings and other products, can cause lung cancer when the chemical is made in an electric furnace using a method called the Acheson process, IARC said in a paper that summarizes the conclusions an expert panel made during an October meeting.
The panel also concluded that silicon carbide “whiskers”—long fibers that are manufactured as substitutes for asbestos—are probably carcinogenic to people, IARC said."
Bottom line: the evidence is not all in yet. We really don't KNOW, but folks studying it see some possible link. IMHO, the best reaction is not to freak out, start banning things, or quit using SiC based on that. But just to be aware and take some commonsense precautions. In my case: run the stones wet, no food or open-top drinks in the work area, hand washing and cleaning off the stones well after use. That's it. And the additional thing that if I personally ever get into use a belt sander, or a guided sharpening gadget which contain SiC abrasives and there's potential for a lot of airborne dust, I'm gonna use a particle mask while working with it.
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The Lancet is referring to risks in manufacturing, not for end users. And the carcinogenic status of SiC whiskers is due to the fact that their inhalation can cause mesothelioma. But that's totally different from granular particles.
Read the full article. The concern is broader than just the production workers. The specific concern is carbon nanotubes, which can be in multiple consumer products and workplace environments, but SiC products are in scope. Again, read my last post, I'm not advocating panic or quit using Sic, but just caution. I don't think these folks are making this up for the fun of it.
annr
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Did your research indicate it’s relevant to distinguish between commercial end use with a SiC sharpening stone and workers in the industrial setting involving chemical SiC, fabrication, etc.?
Are silicon carbide whiskers present on a Norton stone? Carbon nanotubes? During sharpening? Or when?
Are silicon carbide whiskers present on a Norton stone? Carbon nanotubes? During sharpening? Or when?
annr
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I read that and I don’t see the answer to my question.
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I did read it. The carbon nanotubes thing is a separate concern having nothing to do with SiC. The organization met to discuss the possible carcinogenic effects of three independent substances, of which SiC whiskers were one, and carbon nanotubes another.
You are not grasping the scope of it. The concern is broader and extends to all products containing silicon carbide, it is NOT limited to just nanotubes and SiC whiskers. The issue is that they only have studies at present that can PROVE a a more solid link in the case of SiC whiskers and nanotubes. But the possible link is wider, and this is why some of the regs are starting to expand to include SiC, like the NJ hazardous material page on SiC, and the safety label examples I provide below, INCLUDING A CANCER WARNING LABEL ON A SiC STONE I just bought.
So the takeaway is take simple safety steps to reduce risk, or don't. I don't much care what folks do with it, if you don't buy it, you should ignore it. Just sharing what I found and what I plan to do in response. Locking thread because it feels like we're going in circles.
https://www.bna.com/silicon-carbide-cause-n17179910853/
"Occupational exposures to silicon carbide (CAS No. 409-21-2 ), which is used to make grinding wheels, cutting tools, refractory linings and other products, can cause lung cancer when the chemical is made in an electric furnace using a method called the Acheson process, IARC said in a paper that summarizes the conclusions an expert panel made during an October meeting."
http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1658.pdf
Examples of industry MSDS or safety labels that acknowledge the risk directly with a SiC abrasive (yes, I agree in advance, all these things are forced by gov regs and possibly OVER-regulation, but they are acknowledging the POSSIBLE link):
https://dental.keystoneindustries.c...asive-Wheels-and-Points-SDS-US-20150610_0.pdf
"Silicone Carbide Rubber Bonded Abrasive Wheels and Points"
[...]
"This material is considered hazardous by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). CARCINOGENICITY - Category 1B". [...] "May cause cancer."
Another interesting one that I ran into today on a $12 180/240 SiC stone that I just bought:
I'm keeping all my SiC stones, including this one, but going to take steps to use them a little more carefully.
So the takeaway is take simple safety steps to reduce risk, or don't. I don't much care what folks do with it, if you don't buy it, you should ignore it. Just sharing what I found and what I plan to do in response. Locking thread because it feels like we're going in circles.
https://www.bna.com/silicon-carbide-cause-n17179910853/
"Occupational exposures to silicon carbide (CAS No. 409-21-2 ), which is used to make grinding wheels, cutting tools, refractory linings and other products, can cause lung cancer when the chemical is made in an electric furnace using a method called the Acheson process, IARC said in a paper that summarizes the conclusions an expert panel made during an October meeting."
http://nj.gov/health/eoh/rtkweb/documents/fs/1658.pdf
Examples of industry MSDS or safety labels that acknowledge the risk directly with a SiC abrasive (yes, I agree in advance, all these things are forced by gov regs and possibly OVER-regulation, but they are acknowledging the POSSIBLE link):
https://dental.keystoneindustries.c...asive-Wheels-and-Points-SDS-US-20150610_0.pdf
"Silicone Carbide Rubber Bonded Abrasive Wheels and Points"
[...]
"This material is considered hazardous by the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200). CARCINOGENICITY - Category 1B". [...] "May cause cancer."
Another interesting one that I ran into today on a $12 180/240 SiC stone that I just bought:
- The label reads: "This product may contain substances known to the State of California to cause cancer and/or reproductive toxicity."
- So again: nothing proven. And yes, some states are known for over-regulating stuff, CA among them. But again, there's a possible link here, and I think this cheapo little stone being forced to add this label, indicates that even some of the SiC stone manufacturers are being forced to acknowledge the possibility of a link. It's worth keeping an eye on the issue, and being safe in your work area.
I'm keeping all my SiC stones, including this one, but going to take steps to use them a little more carefully.
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