Hazardous metal dust?

[Mr Ron]

Because I mostly machine aluminum, I'm starting to be concerned about the effects of aluminum dust on my health. Other than wearing a mask, what else should I be aware of ? I have heard that aluminum absorbed into the body can lead to alzheimer's disease and dementia. I checked with Web MD and they didn't find any positive link between Alzheimer's and dementia with aluminum in antiperspirant deodorants. I ask this because I am a natural skeptic.

[earlgo]

I doubt if you only machine aluminum on the mill or lathe you are creating much 'dust'. If you are using a belt sander, that is different. I have heard rumors of the danger of sanding aluminum and steel in the same area in such a manner that the ferrous sparks would set things on fire. I've never seen it or heard of it happening, but rumors are sometimes true.
Magnesium, however, is another story.
Good luck.
--earlgo

[Harold_V]

While it isn't common, you can experience an aluminum/steel fire from a belt sander, especially if there's any rust involved. Been there, done that, but of little consequence (a quick flash and it's gone). I keep my belt sander clean. That doesn't mean that it can't be worse, though.

I fully expect that any dust in one's lungs isn't a good thing, but I am not aware of a link between aluminum and Alzheimer's, although there are those who say it's true. I'm a skeptic, however.

You've not experienced a serious fire until you've seen magnesium, or aluminum/ferrous oxide (Thermite) burn .

H

[WesHowe]

We all remember the Wizard of Oz. However, the tinman in the movie was not the first person cast in the role. Buddy Ebsen started filming the movie as the tinman, but the aluminum dust they used on his skin caused him to contract emphysema and nearly die, so the role was passed to Jack Haley and refilmed. They used something like petroleum jelly for Haley, which kept the dust from being inhaled.

Later, of course, Buddy Ebsen recovered and eventually outlived his former costars. Shows ya what money can do for you.

[Glenn Brooks]

Aluminium dust is highly flammable, almost explosive in large quantities. Manufacturing facilities sometimes have very sophisticated Aluminium dust collection and disposal capability to prevent ignition. But we would likely never see such volume in a hobby setting.

Years ago there was a good deal of concern about Alzheimer’s Risk from cooking with Aluminium pots and pans. Apparently this has been largely disproved. However recently some studies show a connection with the highly toxic ingepredients used to make Teflon coatings for cooking utensils. Of course the industry has completely debunked any risk. Can’t win for loosing I guess.

Glenn

[Mr Ron]

One day a doctor or scientist will tell you eggs are bad for you and the next day, will tell you it's OK to eat eggs. This is a typical scenario across the board. That's why I'm a skeptic. When a doctor calls it his "practice" that means he is practicing on patients until he gets it right.....I do sand aluminum on a belt sander.

[Downwindtracker2]

Around here aluminum is used to build fishing boats, fish tanks , etc. The word was stay away from that industry, guys in their 30s were getting sick and dying. Weither it was the aluminum or the argon, who knows.

[Rich_Carlstedt]

I think you have to differentiate between "dust' and "vapor"
It's not necessarily easy for the body to absorb dust, but very easy for the lungs to absorb vapor , directly into the blood stream where it can do major damage.
Years ago, I worked with lots of lead, both bars and heated for soldering. the only fellow employees I know who got sick later in life, were all smokers and it was pretty easy to understand with them lighting up a fag with dirty hands. One died from lead poisoning and he not only smoked, but use to put his lunch next to the hot lead pot to heat it before eating it.. No one else did that and we warned him about it. it was a shame as he was a really nice guy.

Rich

[John Hasler]

You also have to consider particle size. Only the submicroscopic ones make it far enough down into the lungs not to get promptly flushed out. Few processes produce such particles.

[SteveHGraham]

I don't think argon can hurt you, what with it being inert. But then I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

[ctwo]

I've been exposed to Aluminum quite extensively since high school, in machining. That's most of the machining I did while going through college and quite a bit since building my own home shop. If it's bad, I'm probably doomed. Hands coated almost black with handling residue daily.

In Stephan Gotteswinter's recent youtube video, he mentioned the possible lead content in old machine paints, when sanding or preparing for refurb, etc.

I also remember machining mystery cast iron dumbbells from China and the speculation that uranium or any toxic material could have been added.

This is a very good concern to raise and to remind folks.

[John Hasler]

I don't think argon can hurt you, what with it being inert. But then I didn't stay in a Holiday Inn Express last night.

Air is about 1% argon.