Fireclay safety question

[atcnick]

I'm about to start construction on the firebox portion of my smokehouse. It will be made of brick and lined with firebrick. I bought some acme fire clay today and I noticed a cancer warning on the tub. I've seen other pits and smokehouses online with firebricks so I'm wondering if there's a different material instead of fireclay or what?

Thanks

-Nick

 

[diggingdogfarm]

Fireclay is a general term covering many refractories.
Crystalline silica is a natural part of sand and the like.
Call the manufacturer and ask if their product is appropriate for your intended use.

~Martin

 

[daveomak]

Nick, evening....  silica is a rock... the dust may cause silicosis if inhaled in quantities probably found in a refractory operation...  Used wet as a mortar, there is no problem...  when the mud dries and during clean up, wear a dust mask....  Once installed, no problem....  We tested for it, in our refractory crew, for years....  Just one of those things that gets borne in California as far as I could tell...

 

[linguica]

That the same warning found on bags of Diatomaceous earth, a drying agent / natural insecticide. Any danger comes from inhaling the fine dust. the sharp edges of the microscopic particles lodge in the lung tissue. not a problem when locked up in a mortar.

 

[diggingdogfarm]

Not all refractories are intended for fireboxes or ovens, I would definitely look into it further.
When I was building foundries some of the refractory had some pretty funky ingredients.

~Martin

 

[dward51]

And if you have ever used a "sand blaster" that same warning would apply even if you used kiddie play sand.   Inhaled silica "can" cause cancer (ie, if you suck down enough sand you might get it).

Oh, in case you have not heard, there is a movement on to ban the use of dihydrogen monoxide (DHMO) which is another common chemical used firebrick mortar and also in smoking and sausage making.  I would bet it is in that product too.

What are some of the dangers associated with DHMO?

Each year, Dihydrogen Monoxide is a known causative component in many thousands of deaths and is a major contributor to millions upon millions of dollars in damage to property and the environment. Some of the known perils of Dihydrogen Monoxide are:
    

•     Death due to accidental inhalation of DHMO, even in small quantities.
•     Prolonged exposure to solid DHMO causes severe tissue damage.
•     Excessive ingestion produces a number of unpleasant though not typically life-threatening side-effects.
•     DHMO is a major component of acid rain.
•     Gaseous DHMO can cause severe burns.
•     Contributes to soil erosion.
•     Leads to corrosion and oxidation of many metals.
•     Contamination of electrical systems often causes short-circuits.
•     Exposure decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes.
•     Found in biopsies of pre-cancerous tumors and lesions.
•     Given to vicious dogs involved in recent deadly attacks.
•     Often associated with killer cyclones in the U.S. Midwest and elsewhere, and in hurricanes including deadly storms in Florida, New Orleans and other areas of the southeastern U.S.
•     Thermal variations in DHMO are a suspected contributor to the El Nino weather effect.

What are some uses of Dihydrogen Monoxide?

Despite the known dangers of DHMO, it continues to be used daily by industry, government, and even in private homes across the U.S. and worldwide. Some of the well-known uses of Dihydrogen Monoxide are:

•     as an industrial solvent and coolant,
•     in nuclear power plants,
•     by the U.S. Navy in the propulsion systems of some older vessels,
•     in the production of Styrofoam,
•     in biological and chemical weapons manufacture,
•     in the development of genetically engineering crops and animals,
•     as a spray-on fire suppressant and retardant,
•     as a major ingredient in many home-brewed bombs,
•     as a byproduct of hydrocarbon combustion in furnaces and air conditioning compressor operation,

•     historically, in Hitler's death camps in Nazi Germany, and in prisons in Turkey, Serbia, Croatia, Libya, Iraq and Iran,
•     in World War II prison camps in Japan, and in prisons in China, for various forms of torture,
•     during many recent religious and ethnic wars in the Middle East,
•     by many terrorist organizations including al Qaeda,
•     in community swimming pools to maintain chemical balance,
•     in animal research laboratories, and
•     in pesticide production and distribution.

One of the most surprising facts recently revealed about Dihydrogen Monoxide contamination is in its use as a food and produce "decontaminant." Studies have shown that even after careful washing, food and produce that has been contaminated by DHMO remains tainted by DHMO.

 What are the symptoms of accidental Dihydrogen Monoxide overdose?

You may not always recognize that you have been a victim of accidental DHMO overdose, so here are some signs and symptoms to look for. If you suspect Dihydrogen Monoxide overdose, or if you exhibit any of these symptoms, you should consult with your physician or medical practitioner. The data presented here is provided for informational purposes only, and should in no way be construed as medical advice of any sort.
    
Watch for these symptoms:

•     Excessive sweating
•     Excessive urination
•     Bloated feeling
•     Nausea
•     Vomiting
•     Electrolyte imbalance
•     Hyponatremia (serum hypotonicity)
•     Dangerously imbalanced levels of ECF and ICF in the blood
•     Degeneration of sodium homeostasis

A recently noted medical phenomenon involves small amounts of DHMO leaking or oozing from the corners of the eyes as a direct result of causes such as foreign particulate irritation, allergic reactions including anaphylactic shock, and sometimes severe chemical depression.

And if you read this far, Dihydrogen Monoxide is just another name for WATER....

And yes in 2004 the California city of Aliso Viejo had a vote scheduled to ban the use of containers made with the use of dihydrogen monoxide. 

So the my point in this long post is just because California requires it to be labeled as a potential cancer causing substance, does not mean much to the rest of the world.
 

 

[atcnick]

HAHA..man thats funny!  Where did you find that?

Thanks for the input guys, its appreciated.  I guess it should be safe to use.

 

[dward51]

It's all over the internet.    Just search for "dihydrogen monoxide"

There was a huge hoax years back and movement to ban DHMO.  That is what led to the California vote being scheduled.  In my neck of the woods California is often called "The Granola State - what ain't fruits and nuts is flakes...." 

I forgot to post the MSDS sheet for DHMO earlier.  Here is is.  (this is actually the real data for water, with the name changed to "dihydrogen monoxide" instead of "water" - use the CAS number for a search)

caution-dhmo.gif

• dward51
• Jan 18, 2013

------------------------------------------------------------------------------MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEET FOR   DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDE------------------------------------------------------------------------------PRODUCT NAME:     DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDEFORMULA WT:          18.00CAS NO.:          07732-18-5NIOSH/RTECS NO.:  ZC0110000COMMON SYNONYMS:  DIHYDROGEN OXIDE, HYDRIC ACIDPRODUCT CODES:    4218,4219  EFFECTIVE: 05/30/86       REVISION #01   LABORATORY PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENTSAFETY GLASSES; LAB COATPRECAUTIONARY LABEL STATEMENTSSTORAGE:  KEEP IN TIGHTLY CLOSED CONTAINER.BOILING POINT:      100 C (   212 F)          VAPOR PRESSURE(MM HG): 17.5MELTING POINT:        0 C (    32 F)          VAPOR DENSITY(AIR=1):  N/ASPECIFIC GRAVITY:  1.00                       EVAPORATION RATE:      N/ASOLUBILITY(H2O):     COMPLETE (IN ALL PROPORTIONS) % VOLATILES BY VOLUME: 100APPEARANCE & ODOR:  ODORLESS, CLEAR COLORLESS LIQUID.TOXICITY:   LD50 (IPR-MOUSE)(G/KG)          -  190            LD50 (IV-MOUSE) (MG/KG)         -  25DISPOSAL PROCEDURE  DISPOSE IN ACCORDANCE WITH ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL  ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.SAF-T-DATA(TM) STORAGE COLOR CODE:     ORANGE (GENERAL STORAGE)SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS  KEEP CONTAINER TIGHTLY CLOSED. SUITABLE FOR ANY GENERAL CHEMICAL STORAGE  AREA. DIHYDROGEN MONOXIDE IS CONSIDERED A NON-REGULATED PRODUCT, BUT  REACTS VIGOROUSLY WITH SOME MATERIALS. THESE INCLUDE SODIUM, POTASSIUM  AND OTHER ALKALI METALS; ELEMENTAL FLUORINE; AND STRONG DEHYDRATING AGENTS  SUCH AS SULFURIC ACID. IT FORMS EXPLOSIVE GASES WITH CALCIUM CARBIDE.  AVOID CONTACT WITH ALL MATERIALS UNTIL INVESTIGATION SHOWS SUBSTANCE IS   COMPATIBLE. EXPANDS SIGNIFICANTLY UPON FREEZING. DO NOT STORE IN RIGID  CONTAINER AND PROTECT FROM FREEZING.DOMESTIC (D.O.T.)PROPER SHIPPING NAME     CHEMICALS, N.O.S. (NON-REGULATED)INTERNATIONAL (I.M.O.)PROPER SHIPPING NAME     CHEMICALS, N.O.S. (NON-REGULATED)------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[daveomak]

If it has a label, "Known to the State of California", I pretty much ignore it.... Holy cow, you'd go nuts if you followed the path they travel.....

 

[dward51]

I forgot to post the link to the Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division website.  Tons of information on this potentially lethal chemical can be found there....

http://www.dhmo.org/

And remember, dried jerky is DHMO free!!!!

killsbig.gif

• dward51
• Jan 18, 2013

 

[atcnick]

Haha, thanks guys!

Do you know if this will bond steel to firebrick?


-Nick

 

[dward51]

I can't quite read the label on the front of the container (your first photo), but you might google the Acme Brick Co in whatever city is listed (that's the part I can't read).  They can give you info

I don't think refractory cement bonds to steel but I'm not sure (I don't think any cement will bond to steel).