The Dangers of Sea Sand

A True Tale by Michael Dickinson

I'm in my lab at the moment and happened to come across the following warning on a bottle of Sea Sand that we use. Bear in mind that this is simply beach sand that is bottled and washed by Fisher Scientific.

Caution! May be harmful if inhaled. May cause irritation. Inhalation may produce irritation, coughing, and acute pneumonoconeosis from overwhelming exposure to silica dust. May cause a rapidly developing pulmonary insufficiency, labored breathing, tachypnea, and cyanosis followed by corpulmonale and a short survival time. More frequently, after 10-25 years exposure, labored breathing, dry cough, chest pain, decreased vital capacity and diminished chest expansion may occur and progress to marked fatigue, extremely labored breathing and cyanosis, anorexia, cough with stringy mucous, pleuratic pain and incapacity to work. Death may result from cardiac failure or destruction of lung tissue with resultant anoxia. Has caused tumorigenic effects in laboratory animals. Skin contact may cause irritation and dermatitis. Eye contact may cause redness, irritation, and conjunctivitis.

First Aid- Inhalation- Remove from exposure area to fresh air immediately. If breathing has stopped, perform artificial respiration. Keep person warm and at rest. Get medical attention immediately.

Skin- Remove contaminated clothing and shoes immediately. Wash affected area with soap or mild detergent and large amounts of water (approximately 15-20 minutes). Get medical attention.

Safety code: Eye guard, proper gloves, apron, fume hood.