working with ivory

peddler

Someone told me ivory dust is bad to breath and a good mask is needed when sanding on ivory. Any comment? Thanks

charliemeyer007

All small particles are bad for your lungs. Bone dust? I think a dust mask is a good idea.

llama

Why take the risk?

yoshmyster

I'd use lapidary water wheel to keep the dust down or have a shop vac to suck up the dust. I wonder which is worse Ivory or Abalone shell?

perry shooter

I don't know how true but I have heard ivory can contain Bacteria from the host animal. that can be exposed when working with it. I think the chance would be slim BUT I for one am not willing to take that Chance I use a hospital type mask when Fitting oversize grips.
EDIT STEG . I will have to do some more checking Have not heard this and will take proper course of action.

EDITII hedog that is what I was trying to remember. Thanks.

steg

The problem with working either with ivory or marine shells of any kind is that inhaling the dust made while working the material can and will cause bronchial or lung cancer.
It will not happen immediately with most people, but it will show up 20 or 30 years later....long after you have forgotten what you have done.
The only safe way to work with this material is by wearing a face mask and goggles....and not the dinky white thing you buy at your local hardware store....those are not only useless, they are dangerous because they lure you into thinking you are protected when you aren't. What you need is the rubber or synthetic face mask that you strap to your head and have the two disc cannisters on each side that hold removable filters. You can get these masks and proper filters at paint stores that primarily deal with professional painters -or in stores that sell supplys to automotive body shops.
Likewise, wear only professional type safety goggles.
Your sight and lungs are too valuable to risk by wearing B*ll S**t. amateur equipment.

rhmc24

It may be something like smoking, affecting some people more than others. A face mask is probably a good idea but I have worked ivory & pearl for half a lifetime, using no protection other than good ventilation. Maybe it will tell in my old age -- I'm only 90 now.

He Dog

The dust can also carry elephant ivory anthrax.

andrewsw16

It's much safer to just stick with unicorn ivory.