Can't Blue Cloud cause cancer?

[Fawkes]

Because it is silica based it is a human carcinogen (sp?) and also can hurt chins.

Aragonite sand is safe because it's calcium based. I think its more expensive depending on where you are located but I would want to use this, assuming it is safe for chins?

 

[threewingedfury]

Blue Cloud is silica free from my understanding. Blue Sparkle on the other hand has silica in it.

 

[Fawkes]

Ah yeah maybe I got mixed up then.

I just read that it says on the bag that it is not silica based http://www.chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-13257.html

 

[ChinnyMom]

even if blue cloud was silica based, i would still use that over aragonite sand. aragonite is much too rough to be used for dusting, and it could cause hair breakage and skin irritation.

 

[Pikaia]

I'm not sure about what makes up blue cloud, although I have always wondered about the fine dust and its effects on not only the chins lungs, but my lungs. I should probably wear a mask when they dust and when changing bedding. I'm always sneezing..

CRAP, I use blue sparkle- only because I got a good deal on it. I'm almost out, so I'm thinking I will go back to blue cloud.

 

[Fawkes]

Yeah, I imagine I'll need to wear a mask, even though Blue Cloud apparently isn't silica based I imagine it's still dusty and I'm pretty allergic to dust.

yeah, I realized that about aragonite. I was thinking that some aren't rough...I'm not sure, I've never felt any before.

 

[GorillaJTA]

Silicon is carcinogenic. Silica is just basically just sand (SO2), or its derivatives, natural or artificial. The finely ground silica in blue sparkle would concern me if the chins were inhaling it 8 hours a day for several years, but not for a few minutes at a time a couple times a week. The carcinogenicity of silica is based around it chronicly irritating the lung tissue, not its inherent toxicity (it is fairly inert).

 

[ticklechin]

I bet a MSDS is avaliable on the blue cloud now since it is sold in pet stores and is used around their employees.

 

[Amy555]

Hmm, I looked and all I could find was 'Blue Chinchilla Bath', 'Kaytee Chinchilla Dust' and 'Volcanic Ash' manufactured by Calvert Corporation. I've attached the report issued April of this year.

Totally safe.

 

[threewingedfury]

Hmm, I looked and all I could find was 'Blue Chinchilla Bath', 'Kaytee Chinchilla Dust' and 'Volcanic Ash' manufactured by Calvert Corporation. I've attached the report issued April of this year.

Totally safe.

That would be Blue Sparkle. Blue Cloud is manufactured in California.

 

[Amy555]

Yeah I couldn't find anything under Blue Cloud and the ground pumice I did find was from Idaho.

 

[ticklechin]

I emailed Lixit, see if they respond.

 

[Riven]

I guess my question would be, if it was an issue wouldn't chins be showing cancer? Ranchers have used it for years and years, not only in chins but in the ranchers as well. You'd think all ranchers would have cancer if it was an issue.

 

[Snickers]

I am going to the mine this coming Saturday so I will ask Norm (owner). All I know that he has to find certain rocks to make up this dust.

 

[Snickers]

My understanding is that Blue Cloud is aluminum silica which does not cause cancer. Also Petco and/or Petsmart's Blue Cloud is from the original mine they just put it in their containers.

 

[Spoof]

All dust exposure has the potential to cause cancer. Many old ranchers have picked up lung varieties over the years and just like miners have a much higher chance than the 'average' populace.

Rule of thumb: don't whiff the dust. )

 

[seachin]

I agree with spoof. It may not be classified as a carcinogen, but it is a lung irritant as with any particulate inhaled. Definitely ventilate well and wear a respiratory mask when you dust your chinnies.

 

[chinsNdobermans]

I wear a mask when I am dusting or cleaning cages, just to be safe.