is chinchilla dust harmful to humans

However, blue cloud dust is made from amorphous aluminum silicate rather than the crystalline kind, so the link between it and silicosis is less clear. We feed our pets hay because: The upshot of all this is that chinchillas live longer on an unnatural diet than they do on what they eat in the wild. Silicosis was one of the very first workplace-related health issues, because people working with or around crystalline silica have been experiencing this condition for a hundred years or more now. The problem would be if its fine enough to inhale. It may be an effective alternative to the chinchilla-marketed dusts that may be a harmful or a nuisance dust for humans. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. Id like to avoid silica because its a known carcinogen, so I think Ill try out the aragonite sand instead and see how well it works. If you stick to these safety recommendations, you wont breathe in enough dust to make you sick. That doesnt happen with sand. This should be worrying for a chinchilla owner, especially if you frequently give your pets dust baths. Its a fine, dry powder. Aluminum silicate and similar dusts are linked to serious lung damage. Thats great. But unlike a normal fan, air purifiers have filters attached. Take our quiz and find out! The mechanism by which particles are bound and internalized and the reason particles are toxic is unclear. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. We compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica to crystalline silica. Silicon is one of the elements of the periodic table. Another advantage is that sand can be reused indefinitely. My apologies if I missed it while viewing the site on my phone. Ive done more research and thought Id circle back here with some updates on what Ive found, in case its of help to other chinchilla owners. Let's say you've had your chinchilla a while now. It does also have certain advantages, and is completely safe, with no chance of causing silicosis/pulmonary fibrosis. The most common is silica, also known as crystalline silica, pure silica or silicon dioxide. Like silica, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it damages the lungs when you breathe it in. The problem with fine dust is that it cant be coughed out, so it stays stuck in the lungs forever. This causes silicosis. Aluminum silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica. So long as your chinchillas coat seems clean it should be fine! We recommend sepiolite over blue cloud dusts, although it may only be available online where you live. Thats especially true if you have asthma, lung damage from smoking, or are otherwise unhealthy. WebA bite from a chinchilla can hurt, but a) its incredibly rare for a happy to chinchilla bite, and b) even if your chinchilla does bite you, that bite wont be dangerous, just painful. This same effect has been demonstrated in other studies, although some argue the link specifically between aluminum silicate and silicosis isnt clear. Because of the frequency of dust baths required, and because the dust is so easy to breathe in and settles around the room, these are real risks. But pure silica dusts are just as bad, if not worse, than less-processed dusts. This causes silicosis. Hi all, I hope you can help me out on these two questions that my wife is curious about. Read the research below, especially the scientific papers linking amorphous silicate dust to serious health issues, and come to your own conclusion. ChillDust settles faster than other chinchilla-marketed dusts and is only classified as a nuisance dust by OSHA. Its a kind of magnesium deposit that can be broken down into a fine dust. The kinds of dust that chinchillas like are fine, but are also exceedingly dry and absorbent. Studies like this one have shown a causative link between aluminum silicate dust and pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged by tiny scars from inhaled dust. Oh, good tip on the cornstarch. Another example is the idea of the exercise ball. New owner, don't know where to start? Less harmful to users health. We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. It can be found in pet stores or, alternatively, hardware/DIY stores. Webis chinchilla dust harmful to humans. Its a kind of magnesium deposit that can be broken down into a fine dust. Below, you can find our chinchilla quiz, new posts for further reading, and a signup for our Chinchilla Newsletter! Thank you again for your guidance! What has likely also played a part is the idea that you can be allergic to dust, which is true; but a dust allergy is an allergy to dander, not to mineral dust. by | Sep 29, 2022 | e11 led bulb 150w equivalent dimmable | fortnite x marvel: zero war codes | Sep 29, 2022 | e11 led bulb 150w As such, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch or sand. This is a kind of dust made from aluminum silicate. Aragonite sand would be my second because of terrain location considerations (i.e., chinchillas dwell in the mountains; aragonite sand comes from the ocean seabed). The effects of blue cloud dust on a chinchillas lungs are less clear. While no studies have been done on silicosis in chinchillas that specifically relate to aluminum silicate, its possible that it would have the same effect. As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. Alternatively, you could use reptile sand. This is therefore one of many ways of assessing how something damages a cell. The link between crystalline minerals and lung disease has long been clear. Thats why builders and tradesmen who work in environments with lots of silicate dust in the air can stay safe just by wearing a respirator. Scientific studies have shown the link between silica dusts and lung damage. While sepiolite and pumice dont cause as serious effects, they still leave deposits in the lungs when inhaled. (ruled out for respiration concerns for humans and chinchillas) playsands (ruled out for human safety concerns) aragonite sand (ruled out for concern over the presence of microorganisms and the difference in natural terrain, which chinchillas from mountainous regions and aragonite sand harvested from the ocean seabed) Montmorillonite clay (was one of my top contenders, actually, following Sweet PDZ, because it could offer similar benefits to chinchillas and humans, but ultimately ruled out because I couldnt find any chinchilla owner using it, so I would want to run this by an exotic vet first. The lungs then have reduced capacity and can even get infected. Its better to be inconvenienced than to risk the health of you and your pet. Thanks again, LoveMyChinchilla, for posting this article and prompting my research deep-dive! This would explain why crystalline silica can cause cancer so easily: its causes both direct damage to DNA and long-term inflammation. There will always be owners who swear by it and have never reported a problem, so will continue using it. I will look for your newsletter and sign up. How could so many people be wrong? But why? Another advantage is that corn starch doesnt billow as much as rock dusts do. Breeders use it to bathe their chinchillas before shows. Marketing for blue cloud brands state that it doesnt contain lead, arsenic, glass and various other nasties which is good. Silicosis is where the lungs are so damaged that these symptoms persist continually, even in the absence of dust. Make sure any bag you buy doesnt contain unusual additives; you want pure sepiolite. As youll know, it goes everywhere, and can settle on your belongings for days afterwards. ChillDust is one which is popular with experienced owners and breeders. We pampered our chinnies just like you! We recently added three chinchillas to our home and they reside in our kiddos bedroom. What Chinchilla DUST is SAFE? Its only in the face of repeated exposure that silicosis becomes a real possibility. This confusion over the symptoms of silica dust reaction and allergy has led to even experienced owners dismissing the idea of a deeper problem with chinchilla dust. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. It wont billow up when your chinchilla bathes in it, so it cant be breathed in. It also contains a fair amount of aluminum, making it perfect for creating aluminum silicate dusts. switching from evenings to mornings. So play sand wont work as well as blue cloud, but it also wont damage anybodys lungs. [Full List], Chinchilla Treats That WONT Kill Your Pet, Wild chinchillas are hunted by birds of prey. # chinchillas # chinchillacagesetup ChillDust is one which is popular with experienced owners and breeders. If anything, its the person thats the danger to the chinchilla. In contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica. If it makes things easier, consider changing the schedule by which you bathe your pet, e.g. But not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust is true. Aragonite sand isnt something Ive seen before, but so long as it doesnt puff up into the air, it should be fine! This is a reasonable question. But there is possibly a link there. Ill keep that in mind! So its possible that blue cloud will shorten your pets life. Alternatively, get somebody to help. WebWhat diseases can chinchillas pass to humans? How could so many people be wrong? No probably not, but it isnt a toxic There are two core issues related to the inhalation of silica dusts. (I'm the one on the left). White teeth indicate that it isn't getting enough, while black teeth would be the result of rotting. Air purifiers are like fans with filters attached. This effect isnt well understood yet, but it seems that chronic irritation and inflammation are an indispensible participant in the process of cells turning cancerous and spreading. We feed our chinchillas a diet unlike that which they eat in the wild. Marketing for blue cloud brands state that it doesnt contain lead, arsenic, glass and various other nasties which is good. Corn starch (or corn flour in the U.K.) makes a reasonable alternative to rock-based dusts. Crucially, many people report that theyre allergic to the dust but not other far more common allergens like hay, which really do cause allergic reaction. If you inhale these dusts frequently, or cant cough them up, they cause inflammation. Respirators are masks that have filters in them. calcium) in precisely the right amounts, Because its processed, we know its not dirty, rotten or moldy and that it doesnt contain parasites, Because it doesnt billow, its less likely to get in your chinchillas eyes, and if it does its not as painful, Its safe to ingest, so if your chinchilla eats some, thats not a problem, Corn starch is available from almost any store, You likely already have some corn starch at home, Fine, so picks up oil better than other kinds of sand, Filtered and cleaned before its sold, because its a product for children, Soft, because again, its a product for children. Theyre used on building sites to prevent silicosis. Blue cloud dust is made from something called rhyolite. Ive done more digging online and found (for me) sufficiently compelling links to powder aspiration and poisoning in humans that I am inclined to think chinchillas would be at an even greater risk. Silicosis is a form of pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged and scarred, reducing lung function. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. Silicosis is where the lungs are so damaged that these symptoms persist continually, even in the absence of dust. How to Make Homemade BBQ Sauce: Tips for Canning Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipe, Executive Coaching: Job Description & Salary, Five Characteristics of a Successful Event Planner, Motivating Salespeople: What Really Works, Persistent coughing that continues after the dust dissipates, Tightness and dryness of the skin (because the dust dries the air, and dries out the skin on contact), Shortness of breath and/or rapid breathing, Worsening of symptoms from related respiratory issues, e.g. Sepiolite seems safer than silicate dusts. So, thank you for this information! Pumice is made of amorphous silica just like blue cloud, but it may contain other things besides if it isnt perfectly pure. Or do you need a handy chinchilla reference guide? Are chinchillas the best pets in the world? Corn starch is, of course, made from corn; its dry and fine, so wicks moisture and oil from fur in the same way as other dusts. The link between amorphous minerals and the same issues is less clear. They suck in air, as fans do from behind before blasting the air forward. The list below breaks them down into simple English, which scientific studies often dont! It also contains a fair amount of aluminum, making it perfect for creating aluminum silicate dusts. These cant absorb dust, but they can pick up small amounts on their surface. The problem isnt the aluminum or the silica; rather, its the inhalation of any fine powder that cant be broken down inside the body. Our pet chinchillas eat hay and processed hay pellets, and were advised never to feed them fruits, vegetables and living grass as hay is a healthier choice. . Hope this follow-up information is helpful! Not all kinds of sand are created equal. Required fields are marked *. Some sands you can buy have reviews that say theyre dusty, if you find that yours is, just wash it in a bucket of water and it should be fine. But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. The questions are multiple choice, and each answer is explained. If this tumor spreads to other parts of the body, its classified as cancer. The link between amorphous minerals and the same issues is less clear. This would explain why crystalline silica can cause cancer so easily: its causes both direct damage to DNA and long-term inflammation. Just make sure its not treated with some kind of chemical before using it. Not being able to properly eat pellets is a sign of malocclusion, which is where the teeth don't meet properly in the middle. By far the most common kind of dust used for bathing chinchillas is blue cloud (often stylized as Blue Cloud). This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. How Does the Body Process Amorphous vs. Crystalline Silica. As youll know from experience, chinchilla dust hangs in the air, and for days afterwards is present as a thin coat on all your belongings. Cancer is primarily associated with crystalline silica, and no studies have, as of yet, proven a definitive link between amorphous silica and cancer. There are reasonably well-known brands that use pumice. That's because if your chinchilla falls out of it when it's running, it won't have a long way to fall. Quote: The increased TUNEL staining in epithelial cells of the amorphous silica-exposed rats supports this suggestion. One of the ways you might think to recapture it is to throw a towel on itright? Whats interesting is that amorphous silica seems to cause more damage visible during TUNEL staining than crystalline silica! If there is a difference between amorphous and crystalline silica, it will be due to the difficulty with which they can be expressed from the lungs. As such, while they are popular, we cannot recommend the various brands of blue cloud dust. As such, we recommend offering your chinchilla longer or slightly more frequent dust baths, and keeping on top of cage cleaning to counteract this fact. This study states that while evidence of cancer stemming from inhalation of amorphous silicate is scarce, there are cancer markers that are present after inhalation. Not all kinds of sand are created equal. This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. Damaging the DNA in cells is how substances cause cancer. While sepiolite and pumice dont cause as serious effects, they still leave deposits in the lungs when inhaled. Just make sure its not treated with some kind of chemical before using it. The guide below explores what alternatives there are, why blue cloud is so popular even though it may be dangerous, and what you should do if you intend to keep using it. Through industry, weve also created various other kinds of safe dust that dont cause this damage. Lets begin with what we know. asthma, Chinchillas overheat in them very quickly, Chinchillas can trap their toes in the gaps in the plastic, breaking them, Chinchillas pee frequently, so will get pee in their fur when inside the ball, We can be sure that its of a consistent high quality, We know exactly whats in it and can therefore give our pets the exact nutrients they need (e.g. Its that same reasoning that applies to Blue Cloud dust. It will then stay there until its dusted away, and when its disturbed, youll breathe even more of it in. This rhyolite is then processed to get rid of anything that isnt aluminum silicate. Chinchillas need to bathe in dust: that much is true. Whether thats because of outdated advice or because of Bugs Bunny isnt relevant; what matters is that rabbits do far better on a diet of hay than of vegetables. How could blue cloud dust be dangerous, despite being so popular? This study states that while evidence of cancer stemming from inhalation of amorphous silicate is scarce, there are cancer markers that are present after inhalation. It was long thought that amorphous silica cant be dangerous because of its shape. Okay, thanks. Chinchillas bathe in dust. The confusion stems from how similar the effects of this physical damage are to allergies. I would say give it a go, and if it works for you the same as or better than corn starch, go for it. While it isnt clear what effect aluminum silicate has on chinchillas, we know that silicate dusts can cause silicosis in other rodents, and that the chinchillas respiratory system is just like ours; we therefore recommend steering clear of any dust that could harm your pets health. If you do want to use an air purifier, pick one thats capable of handling large amounts of rock dust. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. It may cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long period. It therefore makes sense to use these instead, even if blue cloud is the most naturalthe most similar to what wild chinchillas use. Thats because it doesnt trigger allergies like rock dusts, so its perfect for people with asthma or lung disease. Web : buerkle honda service coupons what to wear to cover shoulders at wedding - - - The lungs then have reduced capacity and can even get infected. So appreciate knowing Im not alone in my concerns and my journey to find better health options for our entire family! But amorphous silica, being round, is more easily gotten rid of. No idea if they were supplementing with blue cloud or cornstarch, so we will see how well it works! Silicon is one of the elements of the periodic table. This isn't a trick question. In plain English, this means that both amorphous silica and crystalline silica cause the same problems, even if they cause those problems in a different way that we dont quite understand. As I was already familiar with blue cloud dust and all the popular blue cloud brands, I was going to give an honest comparison on which brand I thought was best and be done with it. Web : buerkle honda service coupons what to wear to cover shoulders at wedding - - - Silicate dust causes: You may experience one, some, or all of these symptoms. But experienced owners call these death balls because: Here, experienced owners can see that just because something is popular, and just because a popular brand manufactures and sells something, that doesnt mean its suitable for chinchillas/chinchilla owners. It could therefore damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust. And general silicosis has been demonstrated in other rodents, too. If the study above about amorphous silica is to be believed, then it would have this same effect. On a microscopic level, crystalline silica is more jagged and rough than amorphous silica, which is round. Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using corn starch, plus how to use it compared to normal dusts. There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the lungs. Its no more expensive than blue cloud. WebTUNAP 915 Human Technology: N-hexane free cleaner for maintenance, repair and assembly work. If I can find one, thats my first choice right now, I think. and the borates that the cellulose is treated with are non-toxic to humans. If Dust Is So Dangerous, How Come Wild Chinchillas Use It? It is also important to control the duration during which your chinchilla has access to their bath. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. If they don't take care of plant roots when they invade the chinchilla's space, their homes would be overrun! We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. Further study is needed to claim that its perfectly safe. This material is more commonly used in the U.K. than the U.S. Its just as bad to breathe this dust in as it is to breathe in as your chinchilla is bathing; repeated, frequent or constant exposure is what you have to avoid. What Do You Need for a New Chinchilla? Why Do People Use Blue Cloud If Its Dangerous? Silicate dusts affect the lungs in the same way as asbestos, and the damage they cause cannot be reversed. There are many reports of blue cloud dust triggering allergies. However, blue cloud dust is made from amorphous aluminum silicate rather than the crystalline kind, so the link between it and silicosis is less clear. But that hasnt stopped generation after generation of busy parents and happy children feeding their bunnies vegetables. Silicate dust causes: You may experience one, some, or all of these symptoms. These filters pick out particles from the air to stop you breathing them in. Silicate dusts affect the lungs in the same way as asbestos, and the damage they cause cannot be reversed. The condition takes years of repeated exposure to reach this stage, so its highly unlikely that your health has been severely affected if youre a new chinchilla owner. But blue cloud dust isnt the exact same thing as pure silica, which may be why it isnt recognized as dangerous despite, perhaps, being so. This page has no products for sale and doesnt recommend the same brands that every other guide does. You can spot this irritation if your chinchillas eyes are red and watering. Just had another thought: I wonder if organic, lead-free bentonite clay would be a safer option, and possibly just as effective as blue cloud? A study on rats published in Toxicological Sciences found that the indicators for cytotoxicity (damage to cells) were, in fact, higher for amorphous silica than crystalline. If an infection develops because of this, it can cause serious complications. WebWhat diseases can chinchillas pass to humans? But because of safety concerns, we nonetheless have to recommend it. To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. While chinchillas arent reptiles, rodents can use this same kind of sand. In some of the forum discussions I found, it sounded like there were several chinchilla owners who were using it with success. Another advantage is that corn starch doesnt billow as much as rock dusts do. ChillDust settles faster than other chinchilla-marketed dusts and is only classified as a nuisance dust by OSHA. ChillDusts manufacturer, Hess Pumice, has a plethora of helpful product information available on their website, including human safety analysis information. Blue cloud gets its very name from the fact that it billows up in tiny clouds when your chinchilla rolls around in it. You can also consider bathing your chinchilla in water infrequently. Can being exposed to the chinchilla dust bath be harmful to Cancer begins when DNA in a cell is mutated, and spreads to form a tumor. We will be avoiding blue cloud dust going forward. It will cause breathing difficulties and coughing. If you inhale these dusts frequently, or cant cough them up, they cause inflammation. While it remains in the lungs, however, it seems that the two kinds of silica do the same damage. Some are rougher and sharper, while others have finer grains. Practically every single chinchilla owner, even experienced owners and breeders, recommends blue cloud dust. But you can also get pure silica which has nothing else added to it. However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. Chinchilla poop is not dangerous to humans. Besides silicosis, crystalline silica is also shown to cause cancer. When this is caused by silica of some kind, the condition is referred to as silicosis, and its serious. However, inhalation of pumice doesnt seem to cause as serious issues as silicosis, likely because powdered pumice granules are typically larger than those of blue cloud dust. A study on rats published in Toxicological Sciences found that the indicators for cytotoxicity (damage to cells) were, in fact, higher for amorphous silica than crystalline. Webis chinchilla dust harmful to humans. 1. So far, so normal. Quote: The increased TUNEL staining in epithelial cells of the amorphous silica-exposed rats supports this suggestion. What kind of chew toys do chinchillas need? You can use them to get your chinchilla close to you for the first time, or to sit on your hand for the first time. They suck in air, as fans do from behind before blasting the air forward. The dust bath routine is not only a self-cleaning behavior, they also love it. They do go on to say, though, that one study disclosed four cases with silicosis among subjects exposed to apparently non-contaminated amorphous silica. We know, or knew, what was dug up from the original Blue Cloud Chinchilla Mine. Your email address will not be published. Chinchillas like to chew power cables. This is a problem because mines have to publish data on the what they dig up, what it is, and its mineral content. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using corn starch, plus how to use it compared to normal dusts. What Health Issues Might Blue Cloud Dust Cause? If you have other pets, it is important to So play sand wont work as well as blue cloud, but it also wont damage anybodys lungs. Our results indicate that amorphous and crystalline silica are both phagocytosed and both toxic to mouse alveolar macrophage (MH-S) cells. Check out our Chinchilla Care 101 eBook, or get what you need from our online store! 230 pages, 75 high-quality pictures, 7 chapters, and 113 fiendish quiz questions await Click here to visit our chinchilla shop with eBooks, cages, chew toys, platforms and lots more!

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