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Chalk Dust

Original Post
Ishmail · · Utah · Joined Sep 2005 · Points: 15

In the evenings at my bouldering gym it is quite crowded and consequently quite a bit of chalk dust is kicked up. When I get home and blow my nose a dark substance which I assume to be condensed chalk dust is very noticable.

Is chalk dust harmful? Should gym climbers be wearing dust masks? I know this sounds ridiculous, but if you spend a lot of time in this environment it must add up over time. Curious to know if I'm the only climber who has thought about this.

Evan S · · Denver, Co · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 510

Baker and climber get da' "white Lung." You're going to die a horrible death.

Phil Lauffen · · Innsbruck, AT · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 3,113

I'd be more worried about what you inhale sitting in your car while stopped in traffic on the way to your gym. Magnesium carbonate is relatively harmless on the human system. It is used as a color preservative and an ingredient in face masks...which suggests it might even be good for you.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magne…

Andy Laakmann · · Bend, OR · Joined Jan 2001 · Points: 1,990

Tell your gym to buy two of these. They eat chalk!

gymnastics.huddler.com/prod…

We have two at the gym I own, and most visitors say it is the most chalk free gym they've ever been to.

The Hippy · · Boulder, Co · Joined Nov 2008 · Points: 5

I'll start looking into it right after I put down the bong!

But, seriously it's probably not that great for you. All kinds of things that are usually harmless can be nasty when inhaled in particulate form (silica, putonium, etc.). Still I wouldn't worry too much unless you plan to work in a gym for a couple of decades. Just be thankfull most gyms have long ago given up using pea gravel as "padding" - that was really a mess when the gym was crouded. If you are still worried there is a very simple solution - get outside more!

TresSki Roach · · Santa Fe, NM · Joined May 2002 · Points: 605

Funny hippy

H BL · · Colorado · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 95

causes cancer if you put it "down there." Can you put a bandana thru one nostril and pull it out the other?

Seriously though, I would imagine it can't be good. But I guess your nose is working as it is supposed to filter out the crud.

Gregger Man · · Broomfield, CO · Joined Aug 2004 · Points: 1,834

I deal with exotic wood sawdust in my shop, some of which is quite toxic. The typical risk isn't lung cancer, but rather sinus cancer. Anything that causes long term tissue irritation/damage can increase the chance of a genetic mistake during the healing.

I use a neti pot to rinse my sinuses. It sounds gross, but it really helps you breathe.

It's also one of the few things you can do to reduce the duration and severity of the common cold.

(*Note: the mustache is my 1st stage filter)

Buff Johnson · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 1,145
Greg German wrote: (*Note: the mustache is my 1st stage filter)
my butt, that thing's like a stage 10 uber-filter.
Mike Lane · · AnCapistan · Joined Jan 2006 · Points: 880

I think I've blown at least 360 lbs. of concrete dust out of my nostrils over the years and I'll probably die of silicosis eventually. And that's not even mentioning all the iron from years of grinding steel.

So I would not worry too much. When noone's looking just give it the 'ol Farmers Blow into a corner. I do that so much that I'm a sharp shooter, especially when I got a cold (its very bad to leave a hard hat off upside down on the floor around me).

Here's a story that might help you be less nervous. 18 years ago I had to go out to San Francisco to do a project. All of us Colo. boys were crammed into a couple apartments next to the job; one of our roomies was a cokehead.

One day he wasn't around at lunch, but his mirror and blade was left out. I took out my chalkbag and drew a huge gagger. For fair warning, I left the chalkbag on the same table. When we came back that evening, he was sitting on the couch, head way back and mouth agape. He had a pile of tissues around him. "That wuddnt berry funny".
He did the whole thing.

I still see him around once in awhile. He quit the drugs too, although he's still a frikkin idiot. But the chalk gagger didn't seem to make him any worse. Hope that helps.

Phoenix · · louisville, colorado · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 310

Great gag Mike, I have thought of doing the same thing with drywall dust. Which, to the point, I have inherently inhaled quite a bit of the stuff over a long period of time while sanding drywall. Certainly more than even an avid indoor climber could inhale in the span of say, a career. And I am pleased to say that aside from the occasional sinus infection when I already had a cold, I have been alright. I wouldn't worry about the dust, unless you have a severe chalk allergy.
Side Note: Remember cleaning chalkboard erasers? What an amazingly fun time it was to be the one who got to take teachers erasers outside and make a wonderful mess!

Evan1984 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 30

Well, inhaling any particulate matter is not great for your lungs, but you're really asking "how bad is it really for me to inhale."

I did some research on magnesium carbonate(most climbing chalk) and found safety data. Basically, they don't recommend inhaling the dust because it "may cause respiratory irritation," which is chemist talk for it being pretty benign. Its also a food additive, so its pretty safe.

Link:
ce.siue.edu/safety/MSDS/48.pdf

Out of consideration for other gym users and the staff that has to vaccum up after us, I use a chalk ball to minimize dust. I've used one since I started climbing and I actually prefer it to loose chalk.

Evan

Geir www.ToofastTopos.com · · Tucson/DMR · Joined Jun 2006 · Points: 2,751

I'd suggest getting a herd of microskunks. They cleanse the air of chalk dust.

Anonymous · · Unknown Hometown · Joined unknown · Points: 0

Hey Bruce,

What's up?

Adam Catalano · · Albany, New York · Joined Feb 2006 · Points: 355

Chalk can't be too harmful. Think about all the chalk we cram into open cuts to stop the bleeding. I have yet to get an infection in anyone of those cuts. I can count six spots on my hands right now that are healing up nicely.
I agree with the fellow who said that it is good for you. I think we all should tap an IV of SuperChalk right now.

Mark Roth · · Boulder · Joined Jan 2008 · Points: 14,102

I'm no doctor, but I did see a lecture on "chemistry in the lung" and it seems like the lungs are well equipped to deal with chalk. What I'm more worried about is the added "drying" agents. Does anyone know what is in Super Chalk, or what that can do to you??
Anyway, I get a nasty cough if I spend too much time in the gym.

Evan S · · Denver, Co · Joined Dec 2007 · Points: 510

Most people have a serious magnesium deficiency, maybe it acts like a dietary supplement? Eh? Eh?

God, I can't type...

andrew kulmatiski · · logan, ut · Joined Oct 2005 · Points: 335

You're lungs should be slightly acidic b/c the CO2 you exhale forms H2CO3 in solution. This is important b/c MgCO3 is pretty soluble and in the presence of some H (from the H2CO3 and H2O) should result in Mg ions which will be absorbed into your blood stream, H2O (from the combination of the H and the extra O in CO3), and CO2. The amount of each of these constituents will depend on the concentrations of each, but the bottom line is that the H2O and Mg (and likely Ca that is in the chalk) will be absorbed by your body (good for you) and the CO2 will be breathed out w/ all the other CO2.

Not a problem.

asbestos is a problem b/c it is a silicate mineral with very stable Silicate oxide component that forms long tubes that stick in your tissues and cause scarring - Carbonate minerals, on the other hand are quite soluble. This is why we have quartz sand beaches and no limestone sand beaches.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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