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What filter media dusts are dangerous and how?

Posted: 27 Jun 2007, 09:46
by hellocatfish
Tonight when setting up the "good" new 2215 I just received, I was rinsing the sintered glass Eheim Ehfisubstrat Pro media--in my kitchen sink since my husband was using the laundry tub. I've rinsed this stuff before and not gotten dust cloud in the air, but this time a dust cloud did poof up and I turned on the air vent and opened a window, but still got a lungful. Is this dust dangerous like asbestos? I mean--sintered glass doesn't sound benign. I know--people will wonder why I didn't rinse it outdoors, but the water out of the outdoor tap has been running out neon yellow-green lately and until we get THAT issue figured out, I would rather use the safe indoor tap water. As for kitchen sink vs. laundry room sink--they are actually only about 3 feet away from each other anyway, so that would not have made any difference anyhow.

Something similar happened to me a couple of months ago when I was rinsing out some SeaChem Phos-Zorb. It's little tiny beads and as I was rinsing it out, it released a dust cloud and shortly thereafter, I got a ripping headache. I will never use that stuff again, but I was wondering--how dangerous is this hobby anyhow? :shock:

I am careful to read all the warning labels on the chemicals that come with test kits, the medications, and the water dechlorinators and so forth. But there's no real warning on filter media dust. Any help on this subject?

Posted: 27 Jun 2007, 10:22
by MatsP
Sintered glass isn't entirely harmless (nothing is - not even water), but asbestos is much, much worse.

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Mats