Pool Filter Sand and Health Hazards?!

[CaptainAhab]

It's not a generalized warning at all. Most sand (esp pool filter, play sand, concrete sand) is composed of silica (quartz). Thus the belief that it's not the best choice for aquariums as diatoms and some algae feed on silica.

Long term exposure to the dust is the issue, not buying a bag and bringing it home.

Silicosis is a real disease.

If your bag doesn't have an MSDS on it you can bet there was one either attached to the pallet, included with the bill of lading or identified somewhere. OSHA tends to take the MSDS rather seriously.

Some additional info: Silicosis in Construction
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/silicacrystalline/

[Jaybird]

They put warnings on hair dryers stating not to use them in the shower or while sleeping. It's getting to the point that people just aren't paying attention to the warnings because they put them on EVERYTHING. Like the person mentioned above: it's on McDonald's coffee cups. Soon it will be on Slurpee cups....."Caution: contents are cold. Drinking quickly can cause extreme pain", or how about on PizzaHut's stuffed crust pizzas "Warning, yes, this will make your a$$ fat"

The sand will be fine. Rinse it well so that the tank water clears quickly instead of staying cloudy. You can end up with a big diatom bloom from the silicates in the sand, but it will go away quickly enough....to be replaced with an algae problem....which will then go away.

[Blueiz]

LOL Jaybird.

We had MSDS sheets for EVERYTHING where I used to work..even the magic markers.

[Arical]

Interesting I was unaware that diatoms fed on the silica. Is there anything I should do to get the diatom bloom over quickly? The sand has been in my tank for a few days now and I haven't noticed any algae growth at all. Im worried what will happen when my new lights arrive :/

[mfdrookie516]

ive never had an issue, nor has anybody i know of...

[Blueiz]

As your tank matures the diatoms will go away. It happens to almost every new set up regardless of the type of substrate you use.

[jim692]

Silica is not good for you at all. The fine particles of dust get into your lungs and cause scar tissue. It is a big deal because very few exposures can cause big problems. Scarred lung cannot be repaired. You should wear a protective mask to keep the fine dust particles out of your lungs. Keeping the sand wet so it cannot get airborne is also a solution. A lot of construction workers had issues with silica and silicosis by cutting concrete dry. Now wet saws are primarily used to keep the dust from getting airborne. If you are working with this stuff ,you should use the proper protective equipment (PPE).
http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Gene...-factsheet.pdf

[WhiteDevil]

If you are worried, put it into a 5g bucket while the hose is running in it, or have a friend or foe hold the hose and wet it down as you pour, it will be dust free.


My PFS bag didnt have this warning, I got mine from the great indoors.