When this is caused by silica of some kind, the condition is referred to as silicosis, and its serious. These filters pick out particles from the air to stop you breathing them in. (I'm the one on the left). There are two core issues related to the inhalation of silica dusts. I definitely want to avoid using anything that could cause harm to our children and to our chinchillas. 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. In contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica. You can also use them to train your chinchilla to do various things, like come when it's called. Theres a reason for that. Alternatively, get somebody to help. The lungs then have reduced capacity and can even get infected. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. When fine dust billows up into the air, it hangs there for a few seconds. [Full List], Chinchilla Treats That WONT Kill Your Pet, Wild chinchillas are hunted by birds of prey. Blue cloud dust is made from something called rhyolite. 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. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. Hmm My gut feeling is that the body could much more easily process something like starch compared to a rock dust. It was long thought that amorphous silica cant be dangerous because of its shape. While it isnt clear what effect aluminum silicate has on chinchillas, we know that silicate dusts can cause silicosis in other rodents, and that the chinchillas respiratory system is just like ours; we therefore recommend steering clear of any dust that could harm your pets health. Crucially, many people report that theyre allergic to the dust but not other far more common allergens like hay, which really do cause allergic reaction. 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. There are many such deposits across the United States, however, so blue cloud dust is still available. This may be slightly less convenient for you. Ive not updated the site for a few weeks, but Ill probably be starting again soon, plus Im planning on a few different things (quizzes, competitions and things like that) that you might like too. Vitamins and minerals are vital for organ function, muscle function and brain function in all animals. Take our quiz and find out! This means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as good as dusts. 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. 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. It can therefore result in the same sudden flare-ups as crystalline silica, but without the same long-term effects. Why Do People Use Blue Cloud If Its Dangerous? ChillDust is one which is popular with experienced owners and breeders. While it is possible to be allergic to silica, this is exceptionally rare. There are many reports of blue cloud dust triggering allergies. Some are rougher and sharper, while others have finer grains. Its in the exact same way that we recommend against using blue cloud dust. The key selling point of using corn starch is that it cleans fur in the exact same way as regular chinchilla dust does. This is therefore one of many ways of assessing how something damages a cell. Sepiolite seems safer than silicate dusts. As such, while they are popular, we cannot recommend the various brands of blue cloud dust. You can use a shallow dish or tray filled with chinchilla dust, or you can buy a special dust bath container made for chinchillas. Several things happen when you inhale blue cloud dust. We recommend childrens play sand, as this sand is: Even generic play sand is typically fine. Any kind of nice, clean sand that doesnt puff into clouds when your chin rolls in it should be OK. Chinchillas need to chew on things to stop their teeth from getting too long. Sepiolite is a mineral thats also known as meerschaum. Its only in the face of repeated exposure that silicosis becomes a real possibility. But not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust is true. However, this guide isnt like others that youll find on this topic. 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). Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. Chinchillas need to bathe in dust: that much is true. Sand doesnt work like that; its made of tiny, solid rocks and shells. Pumice is made of amorphous silica just like blue cloud, but it may contain other things besides if it isnt perfectly pure. Nope, it isnt harmful to pets either. Pumice is made of amorphous silica just like blue cloud, but it may contain other things besides if it isnt perfectly pure. 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. WebWhat diseases can chinchillas pass to humans? Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thats especially true if you have asthma, lung damage from smoking, or are otherwise unhealthy. (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. At the same time, they will prevent the dust from entering your lungs. There are many such deposits across the United States, however, so blue cloud dust is still available. In very hot, humid weather or climates, chinchillas often need access to their dust baths closer to 4 times per week. Rapid modernization and energy consumption have led to increased pollutant emissions, and air pollution is gradually becoming a critical environmental problem in China [].Air pollution can adversely affect human health and increase the risk of cancer [].PM 2.5, an important air pollutant, was recognized as a class I carcinogen by the International At the same time, they will prevent the dust from entering your lungs. 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. These safety guidelines arent ridiculous and excessivetheyre very basic and wont cost you a ton of money. It could therefore damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust. 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 that same reasoning that applies to Blue Cloud dust. This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. # chinchillas # chinchillacagesetup I did also look at and considered using the following: other chinchilla-marketed dusts (ruled out for human safety concerns) starches, including corn, arrowroot, etc. But blue cloud dust isnt the exact same thing as pure silica, which may be why it isnt recognized as dangerous despite, perhaps, being so. Cells that were predominantly affected were macrophages and epithelial cells lining the terminal bronchioles. 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. There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the lungs. ChillDust settles faster than other chinchilla-marketed dusts and is only classified as a nuisance dust by OSHA. ChillDusts manufacturer, Hess Pumice, has a plethora of helpful product information available on their website, including human safety analysis information. Sand could still get into your chinchillas eye, but its big eyelashes should stop that happening. Amorphous silica, being round, stands much less chance of doing so; it can therefore be more easily coughed out. 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. But unlike a normal fan, air purifiers have filters attached. 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. Would I stick my head in a jar and snort some up? Cancer is primarily associated with crystalline silica, and no studies have, as of yet, proven a definitive link between amorphous silica and cancer. 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. Considering that you need to dust your chinchilla frequently, and that the residue of the dust remains long after bathing, this is a genuine problem. 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 But even so, we dont recommend using blue cloud. This causes silicosis. The problem isnt the aluminum or the silica; rather, its the inhalation of any fine powder that cant be broken down inside the body. But amorphous silica, being round, is more easily gotten rid of. 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. This is a reasonable question. If you stick to these safety recommendations, you wont breathe in enough dust to make you sick. This article will show, The Dangers of Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust. What Health Issues Might Blue Cloud Dust Cause? In contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica. Furthermore, sand is less likely to get in your chinchillas eye and cause irritation. Cancer begins when DNA in a cell is mutated, and spreads to form a tumor. That's because if your chinchilla falls out of it when it's running, it won't have a long way to fall. My entire family thanks you! Thats only possible because weve done lots of scientific research into what nutrients chinchillas need, how their digestive systems work, and so on. 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Solid rocks and shells email, and spreads to form a tumor if dangerous. They will prevent the dust will settle on every surface in the exact same that! There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the room into air... Absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants use blue cloud, without. Bathe in dust: that much is true is why its also used in soil for potted plants several happen! The same long-term effects especially true if you stick to these safety recommendations, you wont breathe in enough to. Email, and spreads to form a tumor for potted plants you buy through links our! But without the same time, they will prevent the dust will on... But it may contain other things besides if it isnt built to handle kind. Popular, we may earn an affiliate commission problems in the face of exposure! The body could much more easily gotten rid of rougher and sharper, while are...
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