WardBurner@aol.com on fri 6 jun 97
Hey Folks,
Well, I told myself I wouldn't get dragged into this again....
Monona, I feel you owe Jeff Lawrence and the rest of the list an apology. The
following statement is not necessary and uncalled for in an open forum.
<<>>
As with the salt emmission issue, where you sited "all the literature" on the
subject, then were unable to produce ANY literature, you attacked Gil Stengle
for his well meant attempts to search the records. This forum is for
advancing information. Some information will cause disagreements. This is to
be expected and can be a plus in sorting out complicated issues. Personal
attacks do not help and, if the truth be known, diminish the quality and
force of your own opinions. Monona you do yourself no favors by being shrill.
As for attacks on me, well...I'm a big boy..I'll live. You questioned my
trust worthyness because I'm a "potter/burner builder who has a vested
interest in selling RCF". Yea, so? I could be wrong, but aren't you paid by
lawyers to be an expert witness in lawsuits against product manufacturers?
Now to the meat of the discussion.
I've stated here and in the recent article in Clay Times, that I believe free
silica (in the form of cristobalite) was the greatest hazard from RCF. I
still believe that and say the same to my customers. In your sarcastic answer
to Jeff you wrote:
<<<20 %
converts to cristobalite. That leaves most of the rest (80 %) in the fiber
form. Both are hazards. OSHA regulates cristobalite at 0.05 mg/m3. OSHA
has proposed regulating the ceramic fiber at 1 fiber/cc and the manufacturers
have agreed to endorse this limit. There are TWO hazards with fire RCF, but
the greatest hazard is from the fiber itself. Perspicacious enough?>>>>
I agree, there are two hazards to RCF. But, what literature do you use to
support your claim that the fiber itself is the most dangerous?
Have you made a simple statistical mistake by assuming 80% content makes it 4
times as bad as 20% content. I can see how someone unfamilar with math and
it's implications could make this mistake. If I have 10% Plutonium dust mixed
in with 90% ball clay, I can say that both are dangerous, but because there's
9 times more ball clay doesn't make the ball clay more dangerous! I think,
though, the answer lies in your quote above. "OSHA DOES REGULATE
cristobalite". "OSHA HAS PROPOSED REGULATING" fiber. I do not know for a fact
that OSHA has proposed regulating fiber. They may have or they may not have,
but they have recommended standards and manufacturers of RCF have voluntarily
agreed to accept a standard of 1 fiber/cc. The reason there is no regulation
on fiber itself is because of the findings of IARC (International Agency for
Research on Cancer). The IARC has five categories regarding the carcinogenity
of substances. They are:
Category 1: Sufficient evidence of human carcinogenity
Category 2A: Probably carcinogenity to humans
Category 2B: Possible carcinogenity to humans
Category 3: Not classified as to human carcinogenity
Category 4: Probably not carcinogenic to humans
Cristobalite is classified as 2A by the IARC
Fiber is classified as 2B by the IARC
Cristobalite is regulated by OSHA
Fiber is not regulated by OSHA
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) believes cristobalite
is more dangerous than fiber. OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety
Administration) believes cristobalite is more dangerous than fiber. I believe
cristobaltite is more dangerous than fiber. Monona doesn't.
Monona, if you have findings I am not aware of, all of us would appreciate
you passing on specific information. Let us avoid the confrontation that
happened over the salt emission issue. There are lot's of folks on this list
that need accurate information so they can make their own choices. Again, if
you have information other than what I've posted, we would all appreciate a
post.
Carborundum produces a good pamphlet on working with fiber. They can be
reached at 800. 322-2293. Request Form #C-1321-K.
Marc Ward
Ward Burner Systems
PO Box 333
Dandridge, TN 37725
USA
423.397.2914 voice
423.397.1253 fax
wardburner@aol.com
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