Replies

1. 
   UncleDunc | Jun 20, 2002 08:17am | #1

   First I've heard of that. No dust is good for you, but to my mind, toxic implies some kind of chemical reaction beyond the physiological effects of really small particles of anything in the lungs. I've never heard anything that would suggest aluminum or aluminum oxide are any more harmful than any other kind of dust of the same particle size. I've been sanding aluminum for years with aluminum oxide and silicon carbide abrasives and passing annual physicals with flying colors.

   Wet sanding will cut way down on the dust.

1. 
   JPGrout | Jun 22, 2002 02:14am | #2

   OK Now I am confused. In issue 87 of FW an article on page 87 states

   "Whenever sanding aluminium wear a dust mask because aluminium dust is is toxic."

   I have not sanded aluminium since then mainly because I've not found it necessary until now. We have a unifence and the fence has been pushed into the blade leaving us with a junk fence. We can think of several ways to fix it but the most logical is to run the face through the wide belt sander. Unfortunatly, every single belt we have is aluminum oxide and I believe that is what set off the warning bells for me. I would use a silicone carbide belt IF I had one but by the time you buy one belt you you are 1/3 the way to a new fence. Joe

   Edited 6/21/2002 7:17:33 PM ET by JOEGROUT

1. 
   TomMGTC | Jun 22, 2002 03:01am | #3

   Why not just fill the damaged portion of the fence with a metal filler like JB weld or a good automotive filler and sand it smooth. Might not look the best but it will restore the function. As far as sanding aluminum just wear a mask. You would have to inhale  large quantities of it to cause health concerns. I beleive the only thing it is linked to is altzheimers (but I can't remember). Hmmm, maybe I have already sanded too much aluminum. ;)

2. 
   UncleDunc | Jun 22, 2002 04:43pm | #4

   I did a little research on Google, didn't find many sites that specifically addressed toxicity of aluminum dust. Heres one that did. http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/chemicals/chem_profiles/aluminum_powder/health_alu.html

   If you think aluminum oxide is a problem, then sanding anything with an AlO2 belt is a problem, because the grains wear down and break off. If you think elemental aluminum is a problem, then sanding with a silicon carbide belt isn't going to help.

   Clearly no one is suggesting sanding aluminum or anything else without a mask. If you're going to accept FWW as an authority on the toxicity of metals, you might as well accept their authority on safety procedures, and it sounds like they think it's not unacceptably risky to sand aluminum wearing a mask. I can't advise you on which mask or filter to use, but the magaziine has also addressed that issue in a number of articles.

1. 
   dhpascoe | Jun 23, 2002 11:50pm | #5

   Neither aluminum nor it's oxides or most any other aluminum compound is toxic. Aluminum chlorhydrate is the major constituent of most deodorants. Aluminum oxide is a primary pigment in most paints. Aluminum silicate if found in zillions of things, including food stuffs. Aluminum is safe for potable water tanks is in major use in boats.

   However, the glues on sandpaper might be. In any case, it is surely bad to get metal particles in your sinuses and lungs as they might create lesion and other lung problems when inhaled in large amounts. Aluminum workers do wear masks for this reason. Personally, for just casual grinding or sanding, I wouldn't wouldn't worry about it.

   Dave