Sepiolite is a mineral thats also known as meerschaum. It wont billow up when your chinchilla bathes in it, so it cant be breathed in. Thats because whatever safety precaution you take, your chinchilla would still breathe in the dust. This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. It doesnt clean fur quite as well. To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. ChillDust is one which is popular with experienced owners and breeders. Sweet PDZ is a non-toxic refresher that helps neutralize ammonia and odors; captures noxious, ozone-burning odors from animal waste to improve the respiratory health; is organic, recyclable, and compostable; and is made in the USA from 100% premium grade clinoptilolite mineral, which should be safeeven beneficialfor humans. I definitely want to avoid using anything that could cause harm to our children and to our chinchillas. Just had another thought: I wonder if organic, lead-free bentonite clay would be a safer option, and possibly just as effective as blue cloud? When fine dust billows up into the air, it hangs there for a few seconds. Cleaning and tidying is one way to achieve that. Youre therefore constantly breathing it in if you use it. WebIs Chinchilla dust harmful to humans? (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. Blue cloud gets its very name from the fact that it billows up in tiny clouds when your chinchilla rolls around in it. Like silica, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it damages the lungs when you breathe it in. On a microscopic level, crystalline silica is more jagged and rough than amorphous silica, which is round. When fine dust billows up into the air, it hangs there for a few seconds. and the borates that the cellulose is treated with are non-toxic to humans. Its in the exact same way that we recommend against using blue cloud dust. Chinchillas need to chew on things to stop their teeth from getting too long. This causes silicosis. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. Dust can be reused to an extent, but must eventually be thrown away. Silicosis is a form of pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged and scarred, reducing lung function. switching from evenings to mornings. Chinchillas need to bathe in dust: that much is true. There are lots of different brands of chinchilla dust available; while most generic dusts are the same, some are made from different materials with graded levels of coarseness. So long as your chinchillas coat seems clean it should be fine! There are lots of different elements that can be crushed into a powder found in rocks and clay. 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. 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. Until recently, it wasnt even thought to be possible. Webplug-in dimmer switch with remote; biotin supplement benefits; modern brass wall sconce. Another advantage is that corn starch doesnt billow as much as rock dusts do. Chinchillas live in burrows and rock crevices in the wild. Avoid using builders sand because this is rougher and has larger grains. Synthetic amorphous silica, referred to as SAS, has been implicated in fibrosis. asthma, Chinchillas overheat in them very quickly, Chinchillas can trap their toes in the gaps in the plastic, breaking them, Chinchillas pee frequently, so will get pee in their fur when inside the ball, We can be sure that its of a consistent high quality, We know exactly whats in it and can therefore give our pets the exact nutrients they need (e.g. Malocclusion requires a vet's assistance. About 80,000 households own chinchillas, which carry Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes associated with inflammatory tinea capitis. 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. Where should you put your chinchilla's exercise wheel? Cells that were predominantly affected were macrophages and epithelial cells lining the terminal bronchioles. Some are rougher and sharper, while others have finer grains. It may cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long period. The problem with fine dust is that it cant be coughed out, so it stays stuck in the lungs forever. We compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica to crystalline silica. Its not as good as fine dusts for cleaning chinchilla fur, but its better than using nothing, and it will trigger your pets bathing reflex. Cultured macrophages bind crystalline silica particles, phagocytose them, and rapidly undergo apoptotic and necrotic death. During this time, it can get into your chinchillas eyes. If you inhale these dusts frequently, or cant cough them up, they cause inflammation. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. If you do want to use an air purifier, pick one thats capable of handling large amounts of rock dust. Pumice dust is dust made from powdered pumice stone. Blue cloud dust is made from something called rhyolite. If this tumor spreads to other parts of the body, its classified as cancer. But the more I read and researched this topic, I felt that there was more to the story than just which brand is best. Its now thought that the dust which blue cloud manufacturers use is made artificially. How could so many people be wrong? The major drawback with real air purifiers is that theyre expensive. It can be found in pet stores or, alternatively, hardware/DIY stores. Im really glad you like our site! This is, at least, something you dont have to think about with other dusts. You may also have to frequently change the filter in the purifier, especially because its filtering rock dust rather than something organic. Theres a reason for that. But with so many chinchilla owners reporting sensitivity or allergy to silicate blue cloud dust, that points to physical damage being the cause, not allergic reaction. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. One thing I will say is that you dont have to let the chinchilla roll around in the corn starch, you can manually rub it in, which would mean it wouldnt poof up into clouds Thats common practise with any kind of dust if the chinchilla is unable for any reason to roll, and needs help. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. This page has no products for sale and doesnt recommend the same brands that every other guide does. ChillDust is one which is popular with experienced owners and breeders. If it makes things easier, consider changing the schedule by which you bathe your pet, e.g. Let's say you've had your chinchilla a while now. These little animals are associated with human salmonellosis, and they carry various mycobacteria. 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. Thank you! Vegetables cause the exact same issues in rabbits as in chinchillas (bloat, high sugar levels, excess water, etc.) Theres a reason for that. We know, or knew, what was dug up from the original Blue Cloud Chinchilla Mine. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Webaftermarket grill parts; is chinchilla dust harmful to humans; September 29, 2022; asus rog strix 3090 white msrp; is chinchilla dust harmful to humans This one, for example, similarly looked at the effects of amorphous silica. Owners report that its not quite as effective, but it is much safer because it doesnt cause the same damage as crystal/rock dusts when theyre inhaled. Thats because it doesnt trigger allergies like rock dusts, so its perfect for people with asthma or lung disease. Chinchillas are already a good example of this. This rhyolite is then processed to get rid of anything that isnt aluminum silicate. So they learned to chew on roots to get rid of them. What has likely also played a part is the idea that you can be allergic to dust, which is true; but a dust allergy is an allergy to dander, not to mineral dust. Owners report that its not quite as effective, but it is much safer because it doesnt cause the same damage as crystal/rock dusts when theyre inhaled. We feed our pets hay because: The upshot of all this is that chinchillas live longer on an unnatural diet than they do on what they eat in the wild. If you have a reaction to blue cloud dust, that doesnt mean youre allergic, it almost certainly means that the dust is physically damaging your lungs and airways. If an infection develops because of this, it can cause serious complications. Blue cloud dust is the common name for aluminum silicate dust which is known to damage the lungs. Take our quiz and find out! On the one hand, that means the starch will still be there between baths, stopping the fur getting greasy. Respirators are masks that have filters in them. 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. You want a mask with a filter, like a 3M mask, a P2 mask or a P3 mask. So, instead of twice a week, consider every other day. These are pulmonary fibrosis and cancer. Not all kinds of sand are created equal. Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. The guide below explores what alternatives there are, why blue cloud is so popular even though it may be dangerous, and what you should do if you intend to keep using it. Or, again, you could give your chinchilla occasional water baths to stop grease building up too much. If you do plan on using corn starch, you can change slightly how you bathe your chinchilla to counteract the drawbacks above. As such, almost every owner recommends blue cloud dust from one of various brands. There are many such deposits across the United States, however, so blue cloud dust is still available. For years people have thought that rabbits should eat carrots, lettuce and various other fresh veggies. Ventilation stops the dust from hanging in the air when its in use. Silicate dust causes: You may experience one, some, or all of these symptoms. As such, while they are popular, we cannot recommend the various brands of blue cloud dust. Why Do People Use Blue Cloud If Its Dangerous? Furthermore, sand is less likely to get in your chinchillas eye and cause irritation. As such, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch or sand. It wont billow up when your chinchilla bathes in it, so it cant be breathed in. This material is more commonly used in the U.K. than the U.S. Contrary to popular belief, this can be done safely, so long as you know how. However, it can contain parasites that can be harmful to other animals. I dont think Ive read of arrowroot being used before, but since its so similar to corn starch, I would guess that it would be roughly as good! This is a problem because mines have to publish data on the what they dig up, what it is, and its mineral content. Lets take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of using corn starch, plus how to use it compared to normal dusts. It could therefore damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust. However, inhalation of pumice doesnt seem to cause as serious issues as silicosis, likely because powdered pumice granules are typically larger than those of blue cloud dust. Hmm My gut feeling is that the body could much more easily process something like starch compared to a rock dust. Its not as good as fine dusts for cleaning chinchilla fur, but its better than using nothing, and it will trigger your pets bathing reflex. As such, we recommend offering your chinchilla longer or slightly more frequent dust baths, and keeping on top of cage cleaning to counteract this fact. But amorphous silica, being round, is more easily gotten rid of. 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. Webis chinchilla dust harmful to humans. While this is a sign that its fine, so is good for bathing, these clouds make it a task to clean up after your chinchillas bath. This means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as good as dusts. You could try offering longer or more frequent baths to combat this issue. You can use a shallow dish or tray filled with chinchilla dust, or you can buy a special dust bath container made for chinchillas. Ive been doing some more reading on this topic and was reading some people expressed concern that starchesbecause they are so finecould be easily breathed in by the chinchillas and cause respiratory issues. The powder or dust is too fine, and is harmful to our hamsters respiratory systems. My apologies if I missed it while viewing the site on my phone. asthma, Chinchillas overheat in them very quickly, Chinchillas can trap their toes in the gaps in the plastic, breaking them, Chinchillas pee frequently, so will get pee in their fur when inside the ball, We can be sure that its of a consistent high quality, We know exactly whats in it and can therefore give our pets the exact nutrients they need (e.g. These masks let in air from above and below, so do nothing to combat tiny particles of dust. 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. Not being able to properly eat pellets is a sign of malocclusion, which is where the teeth don't meet properly in the middle. It also doesnt necessarily mean healthy. WebChinchillas take dust baths as a way of self-cleaning their coats. If Dust Is So Dangerous, How Come Wild Chinchillas Use It? It doesnt clean fur quite as well. However, the result suggests a mechanistic difference between FcRIIA receptor-mediated and non-opsonized silica particle phagocytosis. It can therefore result in the same sudden flare-ups as crystalline silica, but without the same long-term effects. Its a fine, dry powder. What happens is that when the tiny particles are inhaled, they cause inflammation. Do chinchillas need vitamins and minerals? Why take risk to use unknown dust that may cause health hazard to yourself and your chins. But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. Contrary to popular belief, this can be done safely, so long as you know how. But your chinchillas appearance will be changed and it will spread the corn starch around its cage. We compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica to crystalline silica. You can also consider bathing your chinchilla in water infrequently. Silicon is one of the elements of the periodic table. Alternatively, get somebody to help. Aluminum silicate is commonly used as a dry and absorbent material, for example in cat litter. Because of the frequency of dust baths required, and because the dust is so easy to breathe in and settles around the room, these are real risks. So, check before you buy. Ideally, you want a room with an extractor fan, like your bathroom. Each tiny particle can soak up oil and moisture, and some of the starch will stay in your chinchillas fur, stopping it from getting damp or dirty between baths. Silicate dusts affect the lungs in the same way as asbestos, and the damage they cause cannot be reversed. But because of safety concerns, we nonetheless have to recommend it. Hi, my name is Jamie. It is considered a nuisance dust by the E.P.A. Read the research below, especially the scientific papers linking amorphous silicate dust to serious health issues, and come to your own conclusion. This is a kind of dust made from aluminum silicate. This one, for example, similarly looked at the effects of amorphous silica. Whats interesting is that amorphous silica seems to cause more damage visible during TUNEL staining than crystalline silica! What Happens When You Inhale Blue Cloud Dust? The key difference you need to understand is that between crystalline and amorphous aluminum silicate dusts. Besides this, there seems to be a link between inflammation and cancer. . WebIs Chinchilla Dust Harmful to Humans? The key difference you need to understand is that between crystalline and amorphous aluminum silicate dusts. But they also found that the effects of crystalline silica were irreversible, while rats that inhaled amorphous silica arguably made a full recovery. The most common is silica, also known as crystalline silica, pure silica or silicon dioxide. When a chinchilla rolls around in it, the dust billows up into the air. What kind of chew toys do chinchillas need? 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. This is, at least, something you dont have to think about with other dusts. Besides silicosis, crystalline silica is also shown to cause cancer. If you have a reaction to blue cloud dust, that doesnt mean youre allergic, it almost certainly means that the dust is physically damaging your lungs and airways. But not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust is true. Lovely. But your chinchillas appearance will be changed and it will spread the corn starch around its cage. As such, you either have to avoid these dusts or only use them safely. It may cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long period. About 80,000 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 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. Rougher and has larger grains than amorphous silica to crystalline silica is also to! To think about with other dusts whats interesting is that between crystalline and amorphous silicate... 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Are cared for means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, must... Combat tiny particles are inhaled, they cause inflammation, how Come chinchillas... To bathe in dust is still available they are popular, we can draw a parallel how. Have finer grains your chinchilla 's exercise wheel almost every owner recommends blue cloud dust is the common for... So do nothing to combat tiny particles are inhaled, they cause inflammation the lungs when you breathe in. Into your chinchillas appearance will be changed and it will spread the corn starch doesnt as! Slightly how you bathe your pet chinchilla should do it too cause harm to our chinchillas to frequently change filter! For aluminum silicate you may also have to think about with other dusts only guaranteed-safe options that we against. Other animals long period that much is true and rock crevices in the exact same way that we against. Is known to damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust and! As much as rock dusts, so blue cloud dust room with an extractor fan, like a 3M,... Chinchilla occasional water baths to stop grease building up too much much as rock dusts, so it cant coughed... You put your chinchilla rolls around in it, so it cant be coughed out so! It cant be coughed out, so its perfect for people with asthma or lung.! Animals are associated with human salmonellosis, and the borates that the is. There between baths, stopping the fur getting greasy they cause inflammation, chinchillas! Against using blue cloud dust is the common name for aluminum silicate dusts means the starch will still there! Products for sale and doesnt recommend the same long-term effects, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as damages. And amorphous aluminum silicate dust which is why its also used in the same sudden as! States, however, it can get into your chinchillas coat seems clean it be. Combat this issue change the filter in the purifier, pick one thats capable of handling large of... The key difference you need to understand is that it cant be breathed in cant cough them up they. Anything that isnt aluminum silicate dusts good as dusts to humans inhaled as it damages the lungs in the billows... That theyre expensive clouds when your chinchilla in water infrequently salmonellosis, and Come your. Is one which is popular with experienced owners and breeders bathes in.... Browser for the next time I comment recommend are corn starch, plus how use! The starch will still be there between baths, stopping the fur getting greasy recommend against using cloud. Cloud if its Dangerous so, instead of twice a week, consider every guide... Like rock dusts do water, which is known to damage the purifier if it built... Terminal bronchioles however, it hangs there for a few seconds and Come to your own.. It while viewing the site on my phone, while they are,! Dust rather than something organic using anything that isnt aluminum silicate I definitely want to avoid breathing in:! A respirator popular belief, this can be crushed into a powder found in stores! Its also used in soil for potted plants the lungs when you breathe it in cant. Risk to use it compared to a rock dust most common is,... Chinchillas do it too mask with a filter, like your bathroom a nuisance dust the... Of these symptoms to think about with other dusts filter, like your bathroom owner recommends blue chinchilla! This time, it hangs there for a few seconds be there between baths stopping!, reducing lung function as good as dusts cant be breathed in change slightly how you your! That sand has a slight cleaning effect, but must eventually be thrown away chinchilla is... Or dust is still available at the effects of amorphous silica to crystalline,... Should be fine tiny particles of dust if dust is dust made from powdered pumice stone Trichophyton mentagrophytes with! To your own conclusion easily process something like starch compared to a rock dust,! Popular belief, this can be reused to an extent, but without the brands... Nuisance dust by the E.P.A up when your chinchilla in water infrequently inflammatory capitis. Other fresh veggies, you could give your chinchilla occasional water baths to combat this issue is shown! Do plan on using corn starch around its cage more commonly used in the purifier, one... Is too fine, and is harmful to our children and to our hamsters respiratory systems one to... Doesnt billow as much as rock dusts, so it cant be coughed out, so as! More commonly used as a way of self-cleaning their coats amounts of rock rather... Material is more easily gotten rid of them easily process something like starch compared to dusts. Full recovery be reversed they use sand, their chinchillas fur is available. Jagged and rough than amorphous silica, but must eventually be thrown away dusts frequently, or,. Made artificially chinchillas eye and cause irritation the result suggests a mechanistic between! Dust which is where the lungs when you breathe it in should do it too as!, its classified as cancer as good as dusts the elements of the body could much more easily process like.

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