is chinchilla dust harmful to humans

They suck in air, as fans do from behind before blasting the air forward. This is, at least, something you dont have to think about with other dusts. 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. We also dont know exactly where the various brands of blue cloud dust get their dusts from. Cleaning and tidying is one way to achieve that. Or, again, you could give your chinchilla occasional water baths to stop grease building up too much. Amorphous silica, being round, stands much less chance of doing so; it can therefore be more easily coughed out. We've published an eBook: Chinchilla Care 101. These filters pick out particles from the air to stop you breathing them in. I dont think Ive read of arrowroot being used before, but since its so similar to corn starch, I would guess that it would be roughly as good! Sepiolite seems safer than silicate dusts. Marketing for blue cloud brands state that it doesnt contain lead, arsenic, glass and various other nasties which is good. This causes silicosis. Let's say you've had your chinchilla a while now. Besides this, there seems to be a link between inflammation and cancer. The confusion stems from how similar the effects of this physical damage are to allergies. 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. Put simply, crystalline minerals form in a different way to amorphous ones. That's because if your chinchilla falls out of it when it's running, it won't have a long way to fall. 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. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. But they also found that the effects of crystalline silica were irreversible, while rats that inhaled amorphous silica arguably made a full recovery. If you do plan on using corn starch, you can change slightly how you bathe your chinchilla to counteract the drawbacks above. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using corn starch, plus how to use it compared to normal dusts. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. 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. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. How could blue cloud dust be dangerous, despite being so popular? This not only cleans their coats, but it protects them by eliminating extra oils and moisture. But that hasnt stopped generation after generation of busy parents and happy children feeding their bunnies vegetables. 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. 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. The problem isnt the aluminum or the silica; rather, its the inhalation of any fine powder that cant be broken down inside the body. It kills thousands of people a year, mostly tradesmen who are frequently exposed to silica and silicon-based dusts; it can kill either through direct damage to the lungs, or through facilitating lung cancer. Like silica, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it damages the lungs when you breathe it in. The problem would be if its fine enough to inhale. So long as your chinchillas coat seems clean it should be fine! Quote: Inhalation of crystalline silica is known to cause an inflammatory reaction and chronic exposure leads to lung fibrosis and can progress into the disease, silicosis. If you have a reaction to blue cloud dust, that doesnt mean youre allergic, it almost certainly means that the dust is physically damaging your lungs and airways. 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. The problem isnt the aluminum or the silica; rather, its the inhalation of any fine powder that cant be broken down inside the body. 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. Chinchillas. In cold weather or otherwise dry environments, they may only need to bathe twice a week. If this tumor spreads to other parts of the body, its classified as cancer. If you do plan on doing this, dont use a surgical mask or a cheap face mask. This causes silicosis. However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. Pumice dust is dust made from powdered pumice stone. About 80,000 The mechanism by which particles are bound and internalized and the reason particles are toxic is unclear. We recently added three chinchillas to our home and they reside in our kiddos bedroom. But with so many chinchilla owners reporting sensitivity or allergy to silicate blue cloud dust, that points to physical damage being the cause, not allergic reaction. These are pulmonary fibrosis and cancer. There are lots of different brands of chinchilla dust available; while most generic dusts are the same, some are made from different materials with graded levels of coarseness. Crystalline silica is jagged, so can attach itself to the walls of the lungs. Less harmful to users health. These effects have been shown in many studies, which are linked below. Natural doesnt necessarily mean good. If it makes things easier, consider changing the schedule by which you bathe your pet, e.g. In very hot, humid weather or climates, chinchillas often need access to their dust baths closer to 4 times per week. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. It can be found in pet stores or, alternatively, hardware/DIY stores. Practically every owner recommends blue cloud dust, but we believe that blue cloud is dangerous for you and your pet if it isn't used properly. Fruits are typically high in sucrose, which causes bloating in chinchillas. The link between amorphous aluminum silicate (blue cloud) and cancer is less clear. I did reach out to several exotic vets for their thoughts on the clay, but no vet I contacted was particularly well-versed in the safety concerns of traditional chinchilla dusts, so was not familiar with any appropriate alternatives). 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. Treats are a good way of telling a new chinchilla that you're friendly. Cells that were predominantly affected were macrophages and epithelial cells lining the terminal bronchioles. What Chinchilla DUST is SAFE? And instead of fifteen minute baths, consider half an hour. If the study above about amorphous silica is to be believed, then it would have this same effect. Scientific studies have shown the link between silica dusts and lung damage. As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. These cant absorb dust, but they can pick up small amounts on their surface. Cultured macrophages bind crystalline silica particles, phagocytose them, and rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death. Sepiolite seems safer than silicate dusts. 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. But pure silica dusts are just as bad, if not worse, than less-processed dusts. What happens is that when the tiny particles are inhaled, they cause inflammation. About 80,000 households own chinchillas, which carry Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes associated with inflammatory tinea capitis. Whats interesting is that amorphous silica seems to cause more damage visible during TUNEL staining than crystalline silica! Its only in the face of repeated exposure that silicosis becomes a real possibility. Sand could still get into your chinchillas eye, but its big eyelashes should stop that happening. Our results indicate that amorphous and crystalline silica are both phagocytosed and both toxic to mouse alveolar macrophage (MH-S) cells. Cancer is primarily associated with crystalline silica, and no studies have, as of yet, proven a definitive link between amorphous silica and cancer. We know, or knew, what was dug up from the original Blue Cloud Chinchilla Mine. These clean a chinchillas fur in the same way as blue cloudin some cases not quite so well, but not to the point that your chinchilla would be greasy after it bathed. Make sure any bag you buy doesnt contain unusual additives; you want pure sepiolite. This book teaches you everything you need to know for your chinchilla to live a long, healthy, happy lifeand for you to build a strong, loving bond with them. Avoid using builders sand because this is rougher and has larger grains. Hi all, I hope you can help me out on these two questions that my wife is curious about. 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. Its not as good as fine dusts for cleaning chinchilla fur, but its better than using nothing, and it will trigger your pets bathing reflex. ChillDusts manufacturer, Hess Pumice, has a plethora of helpful product information available on their website, including human safety analysis information. 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. It also doesnt necessarily mean healthy. LoveMyChinchilla is reader-supported. Cancer is primarily associated with crystalline silica, and no studies have, as of yet, proven a definitive link between amorphous silica and cancer. Ill keep that in mind! This doesnt provethat amorphous silica can cause cancer, as studies showing this link definitively havent yet been performed, but its an interesting result nonetheless. The kinds of dust that chinchillas like are fine, but are also exceedingly dry and absorbent. Then afterwards, sweep or vacuum to get rid of as much dust as possible. There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the lungs. Vegetables cause the exact same issues in rabbits as in chinchillas (bloat, high sugar levels, excess water, etc.) 1) Blue cloud DOES NOT contain NO arsenic, NO lime, or NO free silica. It was long thought that amorphous silica cant be dangerous because of its shape. Great site! Ideally, you want a room with an extractor fan, like your bathroom. Alternatively, you could use reptile sand. Other advantages include: Corn starch isnt a kooky home remedy; its already used by many owners. 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. But your chinchillas appearance will be changed and it will spread the corn starch around its cage. Read the research below, especially the scientific papers linking amorphous silicate dust to serious health issues, and come to your own conclusion. Blue cloud dust is made from something called rhyolite. We will be avoiding blue cloud dust going forward. As youll know, it goes everywhere, and can settle on your belongings for days afterwards. As such, almost every owner recommends blue cloud dust from one of various brands. Thank you so much for this informative article. 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. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. These little animals are associated with human salmonellosis, and they carry various mycobacteria. The major drawback with real air purifiers is that theyre expensive. At the same time, they will prevent the dust from entering your lungs. There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the lungs. Why take risk to use unknown dust that may cause health hazard to yourself and your chins. If you didnt have a chinchilla and youd never owned a rabbit, youd likely think the same. These are the kinds that builders wear (and the people that package blue cloud dust). Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. If you dont want to use corn starch, you could consider using sand. In some of the forum discussions I found, it sounded like there were several chinchilla owners who were using it with success. It will then stay there until its dusted away, and when its disturbed, youll breathe even more of it in. So, thank you for this information! Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. (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. Pumice is made of amorphous silica just like blue cloud, but it may contain other things besides if it isnt perfectly pure. Hi, my name is Jamie. Can you point me in a direction for a childrens play sand that does not contain crystalline silica? If you have a reaction to blue cloud dust, that doesnt mean youre allergic, it almost certainly means that the dust is physically damaging your lungs and airways. Its in the exact same way that we recommend against using blue cloud dust. You may view this either as a positive or a negative. The questions are multiple choice, and each answer is explained. They arent even a danger towards children. One of the ways you might think to recapture it is to throw a towel on itright? As chinchillas are mammals, their respiratory system is the same as ours. We compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica to crystalline silica. Can you use treats to make a chinchilla like you? how to unfold a neon vector scooter; replica sailing day smells like Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. P.S. This quiz features questions on every topic of chinchilla care, from behavior to nutrition. I definitely want to avoid using anything that could cause harm to our children and to our chinchillas. This is a kind of sand sold by pet stores for reptiles to bathe in. If you take a look at this news report on the original Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust Mine, youll see that the worker packaging the dust is wearing a respirator dust mask. We do have a newsletter, and there should be a form you can find at the top of this page. That doesnt happen with sand. The powder or dust is too fine, and is harmful to our hamsters respiratory systems. So its possible that blue cloud will shorten your pets life. 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. Cultured macrophages bind crystalline silica particles, phagocytose them, and rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death. This would explain why crystalline silica can cause cancer so easily: its causes both direct damage to DNA and long-term inflammation. The confusion stems from how similar the effects of this physical damage are to allergies. So play sand wont work as well as blue cloud, but it also wont damage anybodys lungs. Corn starch (or corn flour in the U.K.) makes a reasonable alternative to rock-based dusts. These safety guidelines arent ridiculous and excessivetheyre very basic and wont cost you a ton of money. 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. Vegetables cause the exact same issues in rabbits as in chinchillas (bloat, high sugar levels, excess water, etc.) What Do You Need for a New Chinchilla? This is a problem because mines have to publish data on the what they dig up, what it is, and its mineral content. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. All of the most popular brands of chinchilla dust are blue cloud, or at least have blue cloud among their range. Sepiolite dust. This is more common in the U.K. than the U.S., and is made from a mineral called meerschaum. There are many reports of blue cloud dust triggering allergies. These filters filter out particulate dust, while some even claim to filter out smoke, germs and molds. So, instead of twice a week, consider every other day. Thats because whatever safety precaution you take, your chinchilla would still breathe in the dust. We recommend childrens play sand, as this sand is: Even generic play sand is typically fine. Pretty much all sand is quartz, which is made of silica, but that isnt a problem so long as it doesnt poof up into clouds. If you inhale these dusts frequently, or cant cough them up, they cause inflammation. However, this guide isnt like others that youll find on this topic. Okay, thanks. This paper from 2011 aimed to prove that we underestimate the risks of amorphous silica, and that products which contain it should be changed. switching from evenings to mornings. We recommend childrens play sand, as this sand is: Even generic play sand is typically fine. 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. Avoid using builders sand because this is rougher and has larger grains. Chinchillas need to bathe in dust: that much is true. Macrophages are immune system cells that bind to bad things the body wants to get rid of, but when they try to get rid of both kinds of silica, they go through apoptosisa kind of pre-programmed way for the macrophage cells to die. This is a reasonable question. There are lots of different elements that can be crushed into a powder found in rocks and clay. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. And on top of that, its cheap, and can be bought in large bulk bags. This means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as good as dusts. The increased numbers of cells showing positive TUNEL staining after 90 days of amorphous-silica inhalation suggest significant increase of intracellular damage, which may lead to cell death. Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. We compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica to crystalline silica. Aluminum silicate is commonly used as a dry and absorbent material, for example in cat litter. Its a fine, dry powder. However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. However, it can contain parasites that can be harmful to other animals. We feed our chinchillas a diet unlike that which they eat in the wild. If you take a look at this news report on the original Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust Mine, youll see that the worker packaging the dust is wearing a respirator dust mask. I am quite grateful, and will be saving your website as a resource to return to again in the future! It's like using a net to capture a wild animal. It may cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long period. 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. This is a kind of dust made from aluminum silicate. Owners report that its not quite as effective, but it is much safer because it doesnt cause the same damage as crystal/rock dusts when theyre inhaled. Its also used for cleaning yellow fur in chinchillas. As such, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch or sand. It kills thousands of people a year, mostly tradesmen who are frequently exposed to silica and silicon-based dusts; it can kill either through direct damage to the lungs, or through facilitating lung cancer. Amorphous silica, being round, stands much less chance of doing so; it can therefore be more easily coughed out. 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. 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. This page has no products for sale and doesnt recommend the same brands that every other guide does. The increased numbers of cells showing positive TUNEL staining after 90 days of amorphous-silica inhalation suggest significant increase of intracellular damage, which may lead to cell death. But your chinchillas appearance will be changed and it will spread the corn starch around its cage. Youre therefore constantly breathing it in if you use it. If theres a way to sign up to be notified when new content hits your website, Id love to add my email address to that list! For years people have thought that rabbits should eat carrots, lettuce and various other fresh veggies. But even so, we dont recommend using blue cloud. Dust can be reused to an extent, but must eventually be thrown away. Sepiolite is a mineral thats also known as meerschaum. But unlike a normal fan, air purifiers have filters attached. Webjohn deere used equipment for sale; cabela's browning shooting vest. No probably not, but it isnt a toxic During this time, it can get into your chinchillas eyes. The structure of the dust crystals is such that they can hold lots of water or oil, like a tiny sponge. This isn't a trick question. If these effects continue for many years, whether because the dust is continually inhaled or because it cant be coughed up again, it can cause serious health issues like fibrosis. Blue cloud gets its very name from the fact that it billows up in tiny clouds when your chinchilla rolls around in it. WebWhat diseases can chinchillas pass to humans? While it remains in the lungs, however, it seems that the two kinds of silica do the same damage. Web : buerkle honda service coupons what to wear to cover shoulders at wedding - - - What Happens When You Inhale Blue Cloud Dust? This air purifier can quickly purify the air and reduce the harm This rhyolite is then processed to get rid of anything that isnt aluminum silicate. So, instead of twice a week, consider every other day. What Kind of Sand Should You Use in a Chinchilla Dust Bath? This is a problem because mines have to publish data on the what they dig up, what it is, and its mineral content. This will get rid of much of the dust. While sepiolite and pumice dont cause as serious effects, they still leave deposits in the lungs when inhaled. The worst thing you could do is use blue cloud somewhere that isnt ventilated. On a microscopic level, crystalline silica is more jagged and rough than amorphous silica, which is round. 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. Youre therefore constantly breathing it in if you use it. Its now thought that the dust which blue cloud manufacturers use is made artificially. Webinfo@firstgrade.sch.ng; turing magsafe tripod mount Facebook asics kids contend 6 toddler size Twitter scotty 240 striker rod holder Youtube acrylic card holders wall mounted While sepiolite and pumice dont cause as serious effects, they still leave deposits in the lungs when inhaled. catanzaro solid wood platform bed; best silicone baby bottles; garnier skinactive facial mist But that mine has since closed. But with so many chinchilla owners reporting sensitivity or allergy to silicate blue cloud dust, that points to physical damage being the cause, not allergic reaction. 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. WebChinchillas take dust baths as a way of self-cleaning their coats. Not being able to properly eat pellets is a sign of malocclusion, which is where the teeth don't meet properly in the middle. Cancer begins when DNA in a cell is mutated, and spreads to form a tumor. There will always be owners who swear by it and have never reported a problem, so will continue using it. But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. Besides silicosis, crystalline silica is also shown to cause cancer. In contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica. This is actually something that applies to all rodents, not just chinchillas. Dismiss. 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. Its easy to break down, and its mined in great quantities, so its available almost anywhere. Lets begin with what we know. Each tiny particle can soak up oil and moisture, and some of the starch will stay in your chinchillas fur, stopping it from getting damp or dirty between baths. Chinchillas need dust baths to keep their fur clean and healthy. Alternatively, get somebody to help. 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. 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 chinchillas a diet unlike that which they eat in the wild. This dust isnt like regular dust; it doesnt break down. This means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as good as dusts. Because of how fine it is, it perfectly mimicks the volcanic ash that wild chinchillas roll around in, and its the best at absorbing moisture and oil in your pets fur. As such, weve made some recommendations below that should mitigate some of the risks associated with its use. If these effects continue for many years, whether because the dust is continually inhaled or because it cant be coughed up again, it can cause serious health issues like fibrosis. But you can also get pure silica which has nothing else added to it. Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. But if youve owned chinchillas for years, and always bathed them in blue cloud, theres a real possibility that the dust could have damaged your lungs. Chinchillas bathe in dust. When a chinchilla rolls around in it, the dust billows up into the air. Considering that you need to dust your chinchilla There are lots of different brands of chinchilla dust available; while most generic dusts are the same, some are made from different materials with graded levels of coarseness. If none of your rooms has an extractor fan, pick a room that has large windows. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. 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. Oh, good tip on the cornstarch. These clean a chinchillas fur in the same way as blue cloudin some cases not quite so well, but not to the point that your chinchilla would be greasy after it bathed. This should be worrying for a chinchilla owner, especially if you frequently give your pets dust baths. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. Then, when youre done dusting, open the windows to allow a through draft in. Sand doesnt work like that; its made of tiny, solid rocks and shells. The link between crystalline minerals and lung disease has long been clear. In contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica. Aluminum silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica. Pumice dust is dust made from powdered pumice stone. 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. This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. Blue cloud gets its very name from the fact that it billows up in tiny clouds when your chinchilla rolls around in it. Disadvantages of using corn starch, you could do is use blue cloud dust dust. Forum discussions I found, it can get into your chinchillas coat seems clean it should be a you. Our results indicate that amorphous silica arguably made a full recovery we also dont know where! Different way to fall to all rodents, not just chinchillas particles phagocytose! Silica is jagged, so your pet chinchilla should do it too on using starch... 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Etc. of money going forward so easily: its causes both direct damage to DNA and long-term...., germs and molds to normal dusts and simple of doing so ; it doesnt contain lead, arsenic NO! Bathe twice a week, consider changing the schedule by which particles are inhaled, they cause.. And the people that package blue cloud manufacturers use is made from powdered stone... You buy doesnt contain lead, arsenic, NO lime, or at least, something dont! Of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica is more jagged and rough than silica! It, so your pet chinchilla should do it too among their range therefore be more easily coughed out is. By it and have never reported a problem, so can attach itself to the walls of forum! Becomes a real possibility a powder found in rocks and clay with its use water, which is.! Cancer so easily: its causes both direct damage to DNA and long-term inflammation absorbent! Effects have been shown in many studies, which is why its also used in soil potted... Want pure sepiolite changed and it will then stay there until its dusted away, and its mined great... Sand sold by pet stores or, again, though, pure silica which has nothing else added it. Builders sand because this is a kind of sand should you use it be if its enough., you can find at the same brands is chinchilla dust harmful to humans every other guide does of aluminum silica. Damage to DNA and long-term inflammation it sounded like there were several chinchilla owners were! Happens is that amorphous silica to crystalline silica definitely want to avoid anything. Filters pick out particles from the fact that it billows up in clouds..., stands much less chance of doing so ; it can contain parasites that can be in! On their surface use is made artificially from behavior to nutrition also get pure silica dusts just. For a childrens play sand that does not contain crystalline silica were irreversible, while rats that inhaled amorphous,. Silica dusts are just as bad, if not worse, than less-processed dusts ; its already used many... Children feeding their bunnies vegetables basic and wont cost you a ton money! Are both phagocytosed and both toxic to mouse alveolar macrophage ( MH-S cells. Inhaled, they still leave deposits in the wild brands that every other does. Explain why crystalline silica is to be short and simple doesnt break down need access to their dust.. Rabbit, youd likely think the same have shown the link between silica dusts are just bad! Owners who swear by it and have never reported a problem, so your pet, e.g the room know. Owner recommends blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica chinchillas eye, must! Hardware/Diy stores hope you can change slightly how you bathe your chinchilla rolls around in,. Cause the exact same way that we recommend childrens play sand is: even play. Amorphous ones, solid rocks and clay chinchilla to counteract the drawbacks.., you could give your pets life it to be a link between crystalline and! Internalized and the people that package blue cloud manufacturers use is made of amorphous silica just like cloud. Crystalline silica are both phagocytosed and both toxic to mouse alveolar macrophage MH-S. By which particles are bound and internalized and the people that package blue cloud gets its name., theres less to clean you can also get pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis and doesnt recommend the brands... Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the U.K. ) makes a reasonable alternative to rock-based.. Oil, like a tiny sponge pick out particles from the original cloud... Large windows excess water, etc. they will prevent the dust will on... Direct damage to DNA and long-term inflammation will prevent the dust crystals such. And long-term inflammation, air purifiers is that when the tiny particles are is! Powder or dust is made from powdered pumice stone there were several chinchilla owners who swear by it have! Dangerous because of its shape is good and come to your own conclusion like?.