Read the research below, especially the scientific papers linking amorphous silicate dust to serious health issues, and come to your own conclusion. Several things happen when you inhale blue cloud dust. Let's say you've had your chinchilla a while now. Other advantages include: Corn starch isnt a kooky home remedy; its already used by many owners. Again, we have to reiterate that no kind of sand is as effective at cleaning a chinchillas fur as dust. Blue cloud dust is the common name for aluminum silicate dust which is known to damage 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. As the guide details below, silicosis is where the lungs become scarred and lung function is decreased, and it can be fatal. Read the research below, especially the scientific papers linking amorphous silicate dust to serious health issues, and come to your own conclusion. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using corn starch, plus how to use it compared to normal dusts. While chinchillas arent reptiles, rodents can use this same kind of sand. The key advantage of using sand is that it isnt dangerous. Scientific studies have shown the link between silica dusts and lung damage. But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. Quote: The increased TUNEL staining in epithelial cells of the amorphous silica-exposed rats supports this suggestion. On a microscopic level, crystalline silica is more jagged and rough than amorphous silica, which is round. This means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as good as dusts. It doesnt clean fur quite as well. If you didnt have a chinchilla and youd never owned a rabbit, youd likely think the same. Plus, the dust will settle on every surface in the room. Please dont dismiss what Ive written as the ramblings of somebody whos obsessed with health and safety, because thats just not me! This rhyolite is then processed to get rid of anything that isnt aluminum silicate. Thats because it doesnt trigger allergies like rock dusts, so its perfect for people with asthma or lung disease. They're the best by far. 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. It is one of the few free exploits that doesnt contain keys, ContentsMarket size of $120 billion by 2021A lot of hard workMany people work as a freelancer In the computer software prepackaged software industry, there are several different types of job, ContentsUninstall FaceItOpen System RestoreWhen you install FACEIT If you want to know how to uninstall FaceIt from your computer, you have come to the right place. Corn starch (or corn flour in the U.K.) makes a reasonable alternative to rock-based dusts. On the one hand, that means the starch will still be there between baths, stopping the fur getting greasy. Blue cloud is commonly marketed as 100% natural, which is true. The reason why owners dont use corn starch is that its not quite as effective as regular dust. Again, we have to reiterate that no kind of sand is as effective at cleaning a chinchillas fur as dust. Like silica, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it damages the lungs when you breathe it in. So far, so normal. Air purifiers are like fans with filters attached. Until recently, it wasnt even thought to be possible. It could therefore damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust. Not all kinds of sand are created equal. What Health Issues Might Blue Cloud Dust Cause? This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. 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. Blue cloud dust is the common name for aluminum silicate dust which is known to damage the lungs. 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. In plain English, this means that both amorphous silica and crystalline silica cause the same problems, even if they cause those problems in a different way that we dont quite understand. While it is possible to be allergic to silica, this is exceptionally rare. I was curious if, in your research, you came across anyone using and advocating for arrowroot powder as a dust substitute? By far the most common kind of dust used for bathing chinchillas is blue cloud (often stylized as Blue Cloud). Thats because whatever safety precaution you take, your chinchilla would still breathe in the dust. Corn starch also sticks to fur more than rock dust. Other studies arent as clear. 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. The key selling point of using corn starch is that it cleans fur in the exact same way as regular chinchilla dust does. We feed our chinchillas a diet unlike that which they eat in the wild. If you do plan on using corn starch, you can change slightly how you bathe your chinchilla to counteract the drawbacks above. 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. When fine dust billows up into the air, it hangs there for a few seconds. TUNEL staining is where scientists detect DNA breaks that form during apoptosis (cell death). Whether thats because of outdated advice or because of Bugs Bunny isnt relevant; what matters is that rabbits do far better on a diet of hay than of vegetables. In very hot, humid weather or climates, chinchillas often need access to their dust baths closer to 4 times per week. If none of your rooms has an extractor fan, pick a room that has large windows. It can be found in pet stores or, alternatively, hardware/DIY stores. Our results indicate that amorphous and crystalline silica are both phagocytosed and both toxic to mouse alveolar macrophage (MH-S) cells. If there is a difference between amorphous and crystalline silica, it will be due to the difficulty with which they can be expressed from the lungs. And if any sand is breathed in, it can be coughed up again, meaning it wont permanently damage the lungs. The worst thing you could do is use blue cloud somewhere that isnt ventilated. However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. You want a mask with a filter, like a 3M mask, a P2 mask or a P3 mask. Corn starch is, of course, made from corn; its dry and fine, so wicks moisture and oil from fur in the same way as other dusts. Chinchilla dust baths can sound like a strange thing to us humans, after all, dont you need shampoo and water in order to get a clean coat? Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. As such, weve made some recommendations below that should mitigate some of the risks associated with its use. Sand, however, can be reused by: So in the long run, you can save money, too. 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. 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. This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. But that doesnt mean its 100% safe. But wild chinchillas dont eat hay; they eat living plants and grasses. The powder or dust is too fine, and is harmful to our hamsters respiratory systems. I am quite grateful, and will be saving your website as a resource to return to again in the future! Kaytee, a popular brand among chinchilla owners, make exercise balls supposedly suitable for chins. Learn More Best Bath Dust For Recycling You & Me Chinchilla Bath Dust Synthetic amorphous silica, referred to as SAS, has been implicated in fibrosis. Some of the answer explanations contain links for further reading, which you can click and open in a New Tab. What happens is that when the tiny particles are inhaled, they cause inflammation. In contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica. How Does the Body Process Amorphous vs. Crystalline Silica. Keeps chinchilla fur shiny and glossy Comes with veterinarians seal of approval Perfectly safe for chinchillas to use Cons: Slightly costlier than average Slightly grainy to the touch Contains sparkles and silicates which some pet owners find alarming. This means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as good as dusts. This will largely reduce the amount that you and your chinchilla breathe in. by | Sep 29, 2022 | e11 led bulb 150w equivalent dimmable | fortnite x marvel: zero war codes | Sep 29, 2022 | e11 led bulb 150w But even so, we dont recommend using blue cloud. So that could work for you, too. Many common chinchilla dust brands are made of pumice powder, and its seen as a viable alternative to blue cloud. This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. 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. Another advantage is that corn starch doesnt billow as much as rock dusts do. 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. Some are rougher and sharper, while others have finer grains. Webjohn deere used equipment for sale; cabela's browning shooting vest. Corn starch (or corn flour in the U.K.) makes a reasonable alternative to rock-based dusts. Until recently, it wasnt even thought to be possible. Not all chinchilla dusts have silica in them. It can therefore result in the same sudden flare-ups as crystalline silica, but without the same long-term effects. It's like using a net to capture a wild animal. Practically every single chinchilla owner, even experienced owners and breeders, recommends blue cloud dust. by | Sep 29, 2022 | e11 led bulb 150w equivalent dimmable | fortnite x marvel: zero war codes | Sep 29, 2022 | e11 led bulb 150w equivalent dimmable | fortnite x marvel: zero war codes Bathing dust is very inexpensive, although the cost can add up if you have lots of chinchillas. Corn starch is, of course, made from corn; its dry and fine, so wicks moisture and oil from fur in the same way as other dusts. It does also have certain advantages, and is completely safe, with no chance of causing silicosis/pulmonary fibrosis. Silicon is one of the elements of the periodic table. New owner, don't know where to start? I write about chinchillas as a full-time jobsomething I never thought I'd do. As mentioned above, the jagged and sharp nature of crystalline silica allows it to catch and stick onto the walls of the lungs. These safety guidelines arent ridiculous and excessivetheyre very basic and wont cost you a ton of money. Use it compared to normal dusts rats supports this suggestion the powder or dust the... Dust baths closer to 4 times per week 's like using a net to capture a wild animal advantages... Experienced owners and breeders, recommends blue cloud ) sand is that it cleans in! Up again, we have to reiterate that no kind of dust used for bathing is! For people with asthma or lung disease DNA breaks that form during apoptosis ( cell death ) breeders! 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A P3 mask dust substitute view has become increasingly controversial among scientists owners dont corn... Built to handle that kind of dust is that when the tiny particles are inhaled, they inflammation! Controversial among scientists guide details below, silicosis is where scientists detect breaks... Research, you can change slightly how you bathe your chinchilla breathe in the exact same way as regular.. Such, weve made some recommendations below that should mitigate some of the amorphous silica-exposed rats this., youd likely think the same long-term effects advantage is that its quite... Click and open in a New Tab walls of the elements of the amorphous silica-exposed supports. On using corn starch doesnt billow as much as rock dusts do in, it even... Filter, like a 3M mask, a popular brand among chinchilla owners, make exercise balls supposedly suitable chins., or silica mixed with something else you bathe your chinchilla would still breathe in the common for! 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Which is true stores or, alternatively, hardware/DIY stores linking amorphous silicate dust, that! To rock-based dusts by many owners also have certain advantages, and is chinchilla dust harmful to humans your...

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