Blue cloud gets its very name from the fact that it billows up in tiny clouds when your chinchilla rolls around in it. Avoid using builders sand because this is rougher and has larger grains. It's like using a net to capture a wild animal. But the more I read and researched this topic, I felt that there was more to the story than just which brand is best. It could therefore damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust. If this tumor spreads to other parts of the body, its classified as cancer. Other advantages include: Corn starch isnt a kooky home remedy; its already used by many owners. It will then stay there until its dusted away, and when its disturbed, youll breathe even more of it in. 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. This confusion over the symptoms of silica dust reaction and allergy has led to even experienced owners dismissing the idea of a deeper problem with chinchilla dust. So, check before you buy. Blue cloud dust is made from something called rhyolite. Its great at absorbing water, which is why its also used in soil for potted plants. Pumice is made of amorphous silica just like blue cloud, but it may contain other things besides if it isnt perfectly pure. But wild chinchillas dont eat hay; they eat living plants and grasses. Just make sure its not treated with some kind of chemical before using it. But there is possibly a link there. What Happens When You Inhale Blue Cloud Dust? We will be avoiding blue cloud dust going forward. Ive done more research and thought Id circle back here with some updates on what Ive found, in case its of help to other chinchilla owners. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. While sepiolite and pumice dont cause as serious effects, they still leave deposits in the lungs when inhaled. This is a problem because mines have to publish data on the what they dig up, what it is, and its mineral content. . Required fields are marked *. Dismiss. Amorphous silica has been considered to be a less toxic form, but this view is controversial. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Like silica, pumice shouldnt be inhaled as it damages the lungs when you breathe it in. Blue cloud dust is the common name for aluminum silicate dust which is known to damage the lungs. Let's say you've had your chinchilla a while now. Webaftermarket grill parts; is chinchilla dust harmful to humans; September 29, 2022; asus rog strix 3090 white msrp; is chinchilla dust harmful to humans They state that: Animal inhalation studies with intentionally manufactured synthetic amorphous silica showed at least partially reversible inflammation, granuloma formation and emphysema, but no progressive fibrosis of the lungs [Ed: which is the core issue that silica dusts cause]. We recommend childrens play sand, as this sand is: Even generic play sand is typically fine. These are pulmonary fibrosis and cancer. If you dont want to use corn starch, you could consider using sand. There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the lungs. 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. But even so, we dont recommend using blue cloud. This powder, whatever it is, scratches and scars the lungs. Our pet chinchillas eat hay and processed hay pellets, and were advised never to feed them fruits, vegetables and living grass as hay is a healthier choice. If the study above about amorphous silica is to be believed, then it would have this same effect. WebNo. Practically every owner recommends blue cloud dust, but we believe that blue cloud is dangerous for you and your pet if it isnt used properly. This will largely reduce the amount that you and your chinchilla breathe in. But chinchillas don't need all the ones that we do; they can make their own vitamin C, for example, unlike us. Webcrocs kadee flat size 9 / essential streetwear pieces / is chinchilla dust harmful to humans. This air purifier can quickly purify the air and reduce the harm Synthetic amorphous silica, referred to as SAS, has been implicated in fibrosis. Blue cloud is commonly marketed as 100% natural, which is true. If you do plan on doing this, dont use a surgical mask or a cheap face mask. Chinchillas live in burrows and rock crevices in the wild. Thanks again, LoveMyChinchilla, for posting this article and prompting my research deep-dive! If you have other pets, it is important to About 80,000 But wild chinchillas dont eat hay; they eat living plants and grasses. This dust isnt like regular dust; it doesnt break down. Make sure any bag you buy doesnt contain unusual additives; you want pure sepiolite. This is actually something that applies to all rodents, not just chinchillas. White teeth indicate that it isn't getting enough, while black teeth would be the result of rotting. It also doesnt necessarily mean healthy. Apple wood sticks are one of the best chew toys. 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. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. But unlike a normal fan, air purifiers have filters attached. You could even consider dusting if you have a feather duster you can use. When this is caused by silica of some kind, the condition is referred to as silicosis, and its serious. This may be slightly less convenient for you. Ventilation stops the dust from hanging in the air when its in use. In contrast, only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica. While stress can't kill a chinchillaat least in the sense of causing an immediate heart attackthis will make your chinchilla very nervous, and all the more likely to try and escape the next time it's let out of its cage. Sand, however, can be reused by: So in the long run, you can save money, too. I really appreciate your articleit is the only one Ive seen that publishes the information in such a logical, organized way. Check out our Chinchilla Care 101 eBook, or get what you need from our online store! Sepiolite seems safer than silicate dusts. These cant absorb dust, but they can pick up small amounts on their surface. There are lots of different kinds of silicon-based dusts that are known to cause problems in the lungs. Wild chinchillas are hunted by birds of prey. But that hasnt stopped generation after generation of busy parents and happy children feeding their bunnies vegetables. 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. 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. We know better than our chinchillas and can provide for them better than they can provide for themselves. I look forward to new issues! Its also used for cleaning yellow fur in chinchillas. Easily the best way to avoid breathing in dust is to wear a respirator. catanzaro solid wood platform bed; best silicone baby bottles; garnier skinactive facial mist We pampered our chinnies just like you! Cigarettes contain harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, nicotine, acetone, acetaldehyde, and ammonia, which are harmful to the human body. Synthetic amorphous silica, referred to as SAS, has been implicated in fibrosis. Rhyolite is a volcanic rock a little like pumice thats very high in silica (typically more than 69%). There are reasonably well-known brands that use pumice. The lungs then have reduced capacity and can even get infected. 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. So its possible that blue cloud will shorten your pets life. If you didnt have a chinchilla and youd never owned a rabbit, youd likely think the same. Whats interesting is that amorphous silica seems to cause more damage visible during TUNEL staining than crystalline silica! If an infection develops because of this, it can cause serious complications. 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 crucially, as they dont contain silica, they wont cause silicosis. But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. It may cause silicosis if breathed in frequently over a long period. . 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. As such, you either have to avoid these dusts or only use them safely. While no studies have been done on silicosis in chinchillas that specifically relate to aluminum silicate, its possible that it would have the same effect. catanzaro solid wood platform bed; best silicone baby bottles; garnier skinactive facial mist While it remains in the lungs, however, it seems that the two kinds of silica do the same damage. 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. how to unfold a neon vector scooter; replica sailing day smells like Damaging the DNA in cells is how substances cause cancer. They do go on to say, though, that one study disclosed four cases with silicosis among subjects exposed to apparently non-contaminated amorphous silica. The most common is silica, also known as crystalline silica, pure silica or silicon dioxide. We know, or knew, what was dug up from the original Blue Cloud Chinchilla Mine. Silicate dusts affect the lungs in the same way as asbestos, and the damage they cause cannot be reversed. Sand, however, can be reused by: So in the long run, you can save money, too. After quite a bit of research, my top picks for chinchilla dust options currently are: ChillDust. This study states that while evidence of cancer stemming from inhalation of amorphous silicate is scarce, there are cancer markers that are present after inhalation. This causes silicosis. It also contains a fair amount of aluminum, making it perfect for creating aluminum silicate dusts. However, the result suggests a mechanistic difference between FcRIIA receptor-mediated and non-opsonized silica particle phagocytosis. This book teaches you everything you need to know for your chinchilla to live a long, healthy, happy lifeand for you to build a strong, loving bond with them. Silicate dusts affect the lungs in the same way as asbestos, and the damage they cause cannot be reversed. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. P.P.S. Air purifiers are like fans with filters attached. You could try offering longer or more frequent baths to combat this issue. Can being exposed to the chinchilla dust bath be harmful to We also dont know exactly where the various brands of blue cloud dust get their dusts from. This means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as good as dusts. How Does the Body Process Amorphous vs. Crystalline Silica. Thats exactly what blue cloud does. Take our quiz and find out! Vegetables cause the exact same issues in rabbits as in chinchillas (bloat, high sugar levels, excess water, etc.) Then afterwards, sweep or vacuum to get rid of as much dust as possible. This page has no products for sale and doesnt recommend the same brands that every other guide does. As I was already familiar with blue cloud dust and all the popular blue cloud brands, I was going to give an honest comparison on which brand I thought was best and be done with it. Theres a reason for that. 1) Blue cloud DOES NOT contain NO arsenic, NO lime, or NO free silica. I also just came across a forum discussion about using aragonite sand as a substitute. These filters filter out particulate dust, while some even claim to filter out smoke, germs and molds. At the same time, they will prevent the dust from entering your lungs. It does also have certain advantages, and is completely safe, with no chance of causing silicosis/pulmonary fibrosis. I would say give it a go, and if it works for you the same as or better than corn starch, go for it. Thats because whatever safety precaution you take, your chinchilla would still breathe in the dust. They suck in air, as fans do from behind before blasting the air forward. If none of your rooms has an extractor fan, pick a room that has large windows. Until recently, it wasnt even thought to be possible. Webjohn deere used equipment for sale; cabela's browning shooting vest. If you take a look at this news report on the original Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust Mine, youll see that the worker packaging the dust is wearing a respirator dust mask. It therefore makes sense to use these instead, even if blue cloud is the most naturalthe most similar to what wild chinchillas use. You may also have to frequently change the filter in the purifier, especially because its filtering rock dust rather than something organic. Chinchillas like to chew power cables. You can also consider bathing your chinchilla in water infrequently. This dust isnt like regular dust; it doesnt break down. And if any sand is breathed in, it can be coughed up again, meaning it wont permanently damage the lungs. The problem isnt the aluminum or the silica; rather, its the inhalation of any fine powder that cant be broken down inside the body. Put simply, crystalline minerals form in a different way to amorphous ones. ChillDust is one which is popular with experienced owners and breeders. 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. Natural doesnt necessarily mean good. Our results indicate that amorphous and crystalline silica are both phagocytosed and both toxic to mouse alveolar macrophage (MH-S) cells. This is a kind of dust made from aluminum silicate. Web : buerkle honda service coupons what to wear to cover shoulders at wedding - - - As mentioned above, the jagged and sharp nature of crystalline silica allows it to catch and stick onto the walls of the lungs. Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. As such, almost every owner recommends blue cloud dust from one of various brands. By far the most common kind of dust used for bathing chinchillas is blue cloud (often stylized as Blue Cloud). But if youve owned chinchillas for years, and always bathed them in blue cloud, theres a real possibility that the dust could have damaged your lungs. No probably not, but it isnt a toxic The reason why owners dont use corn starch is that its not quite as effective as regular dust. There are reasonably well-known brands that use pumice. But because corn starch doesnt billow as much, theres less to clean. This is a reasonable question. But not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust is true. 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. Cells that were predominantly affected were macrophages and epithelial cells lining the terminal bronchioles. WebIs Chinchilla Dust Harmful to Humans? You could try offering longer or more frequent baths to combat this issue. You should leave it on the floor of the cage, or at least not far from the floor of the cage. Its also a dust that is marketed for chinchilla use and is used extensively in the chinchilla breeding/owning community, with a history of success and chinchilla safety. Sweet PDZ in powder form. Aluminum silicate and similar dusts are linked to serious lung damage. How could so many people be wrong? Youre therefore constantly breathing it in if you use it. But that doesnt mean its 100% safe. This is a reasonable question. But pure silica dusts are just as bad, if not worse, than less-processed dusts. Thats a completely separate issue. You could even consider dusting if you have a feather duster you can use. Another advantage is that sand can be reused indefinitely. 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. If you do plan on doing this, dont use a surgical mask or a cheap face mask. If an infection develops because of this, it can cause serious complications. Amorphous silica has been considered to be a less toxic form, but this view is controversial. But why? All you have to do is wear one when your chinchilla is bathing, and you wont breathe in any of the dust. 230 pages, 75 high-quality pictures, 7 chapters, and 113 fiendish quiz questions await Click here to visit our chinchilla shop with eBooks, cages, chew toys, platforms and lots more! I have read in several groups/forums that several owners/breeders use/recommend this power as an alternative dust for those with allergies. These effects have been shown in many studies, which are linked below. You may view this either as a positive or a negative. As such, weve made some recommendations below that should mitigate some of the risks associated with its use. What happens is that when the tiny particles are inhaled, they cause inflammation. If you'd like to chat about chinchillas, contact me through our contact form! So long as your chinchillas coat seems clean it should be fine! 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. The key selling point of using corn starch is that it cleans fur in the exact same way as regular chinchilla dust does. There are two core issues related to the inhalation of silica dusts. Thats really interesting, Ill have to do some more research on corn starch too then! And instead of fifteen minute baths, consider half an hour. The mechanism by which particles are bound and internalized and the reason particles are toxic is unclear. They can still damage the lungs if inhaled frequently, but this is less likely. Let's say your chinchilla escapes from its cage. Tidy up before your chinchilla bathes so that there are fewer things in your room for the dust to get on/in. This means that sand has a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as good as dusts. Silicate dust causes: You may experience one, some, or all of these symptoms. It could therefore damage the purifier if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust. All of the most popular brands of chinchilla dust are blue cloud, or at least have blue cloud among their range. Sepiolite dust. This is more common in the U.K. than the U.S., and is made from a mineral called meerschaum. Where should you put your chinchilla's exercise wheel? So far, so normal. Cleaning and tidying is one way to achieve that. Through industry, weve also created various other kinds of safe dust that dont cause this damage. Studies on whether it causes lung damage have so far stated that it doesnt, although that doesnt prove definitively that it cant. The list below breaks them down into simple English, which scientific studies often dont! We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. 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. Again, though, pure silica can cause pulmonary fibrosis. Its mined from the ground; the first known mine was the Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust Mine in California which operated since at least the 1950s, but was closed by 2016. Sand doesnt work like that; its made of tiny, solid rocks and shells. Its no more expensive than blue cloud. Alternatively, get somebody to help. Chinchillas live in burrows and rock crevices in the wild. So, thank you for this information! Why Do People Use Blue Cloud If Its Dangerous? switching from evenings to mornings. Biting, Scratching & More, Persistent coughing that continues after the dust dissipates, Tightness and dryness of the skin (because the dust dries the air, and dries out the skin on contact), Shortness of breath and/or rapid breathing, Worsening of symptoms from related respiratory issues, e.g. Wild chinchillas do it, so your pet chinchilla should do it too. Its easy to break down, and its mined in great quantities, so its available almost anywhere. Quote: The increased TUNEL staining in epithelial cells of the amorphous silica-exposed rats supports this suggestion. This rhyolite is then processed to get rid of anything that isnt aluminum silicate. Respirators are masks that have filters in them. We compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica to crystalline silica. Besides this, there seems to be a link between inflammation and cancer. Silicosis is a form of pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged and scarred, reducing lung function. It wont billow up when your chinchilla bathes in it, so it cant be breathed in. Its also used for cleaning yellow fur in chinchillas. As youll know from experience, chinchilla dust hangs in the air, and for days afterwards is present as a thin coat on all your belongings. Read the research below, especially the scientific papers linking amorphous silicate dust to serious health issues, and come to your own conclusion. 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. Chinchillas are already a good example of this. Many common chinchilla dust brands are made of pumice powder, and its seen as a viable alternative to blue cloud. This paper from 2011 aimed to prove that we underestimate the risks of amorphous silica, and that products which contain it should be changed. But not everything we think we know about chinchilla dust is true. My apologies if I missed it while viewing the site on my phone. 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. It will cause breathing difficulties and coughing. There are many such deposits across the United States, however, so blue cloud dust is still available. The structure of the dust crystals is such that they can hold lots of water or oil, like a tiny sponge. That doesnt happen with sand. About 80,000 households own chinchillas, which carry Microsporum gypseum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes associated with inflammatory tinea capitis. 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. This is therefore one of many ways of assessing how something damages a cell. Cells that were predominantly affected were macrophages and epithelial cells lining the terminal bronchioles. Webjohn deere used equipment for sale; cabela's browning shooting vest. Did you come across any validation of these concerns in your research? As the guide details below, silicosis is where the lungs become scarred and lung function is decreased, and it can be fatal. So its possible that blue cloud will shorten your pets life. Marketing for blue cloud brands state that it doesnt contain lead, arsenic, glass and various other nasties which is good. 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. But if you absolutely must use blue cloud dust, an air purifier would be an effective defense. But you can also get pure silica which has nothing else added to it. I would say try a hardware store, or there are lots on Amazon (maybe more expensive). Besides silicosis, crystalline silica is also shown to cause cancer. 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. Silicate dust causes: You may experience one, some, or all of these symptoms. As such, the only guaranteed-safe options that we can recommend are corn starch or sand. The mechanism by which particles are bound and internalized and the reason particles are toxic is unclear. Please dont dismiss what Ive written as the ramblings of somebody whos obsessed with health and safety, because thats just not me! The kinds of dust that chinchillas like are fine, but are also exceedingly dry and absorbent. TUNEL staining is where scientists detect DNA breaks that form during apoptosis (cell death). We would recommend sepiolite, corn starch or sand instead. What Chinchilla DUST is SAFE? Practically every owner recommends blue cloud dust, but we believe that blue cloud is dangerous for you and your pet if it isnt used properly. Chinchillas bathe in dust. If you do plan on using corn starch, you can change slightly how you bathe your chinchilla to counteract the drawbacks above. These filters filter out particulate dust, while some even claim to filter out smoke, germs and molds. You may view this either as a positive or a negative. This quiz features questions on every topic of chinchilla care, from behavior to nutrition. They arent even a danger towards children. Aragonite sand would be my second because of terrain location considerations (i.e., chinchillas dwell in the mountains; aragonite sand comes from the ocean seabed). P.S. Blue cloud gets its name from how fine it is. Blue cloud gets its very name from the fact that it billows up in tiny clouds when your chinchilla rolls around in it. Marketing for blue cloud brands state that it doesnt contain lead, arsenic, glass and various other nasties which is good. Thats a completely separate issue. I know that seems wrong, because there are hamsters These masks let in air from above and below, so do nothing to combat tiny particles of dust. Avoid using builders sand because this is rougher and has larger grains. Natural doesnt necessarily mean good. By far the most common kind of dust used for bathing chinchillas is blue cloud (often stylized as Blue Cloud). 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. This material is more commonly used in the U.K. than the U.S. However, this view has become increasingly controversial among scientists. It can therefore result in the same sudden flare-ups as crystalline silica, but without the same long-term effects. Just make sure its not treated with some kind of chemical before using it. Thats only possible because weve done lots of scientific research into what nutrients chinchillas need, how their digestive systems work, and so on. The key selling point of using corn starch is that it cleans fur in the exact same way as regular chinchilla dust does. So, instead of twice a week, consider every other day. While it is possible to be allergic to silica, this is exceptionally rare. What Kind of Sand Should You Use in a Chinchilla Dust Bath? So far, so normal. As such, while they are popular, we cannot recommend the various brands of blue cloud dust. WebIs Chinchilla dust harmful to humans? Another option to consider, perhaps. Are Chinchillas Dangerous? Chinchillas bathe in dust. These are the kinds that builders wear (and the people that package blue cloud dust). Quote: The increased TUNEL staining in epithelial cells of the amorphous silica-exposed rats supports this suggestion. 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. Authors note: When I started writing this guide, Id planned it to be short and simple. But that mine has since closed. Chinchilla poop is not dangerous to humans. How could blue cloud dust be dangerous, despite being so popular? Aluminum silicate, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust, is a combination of aluminum and silica. 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. Thats because we believe that chinchilla dusts may be dangerous to use. This applies to any kind of fine silicate dust, be that pure silica, aluminum silicate, or silica mixed with something else. While chinchillas arent reptiles, rodents can use this same kind of sand. But they also found that the effects of crystalline silica were irreversible, while rats that inhaled amorphous silica arguably made a full recovery. Corn starch (or corn flour in the U.K.) makes a reasonable alternative to rock-based dusts. Hope this follow-up information is helpful! The orange-red color of a healthy chinchilla's teeth indicate that it is getting the right amounts of iron and calcium. 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. Sweet PDZ is usually used in horse stalls to eliminate and reduce odors. This paper from 2011 aimed to prove that we underestimate the risks of amorphous silica, and that products which contain it should be changed. Silicosis is a form of pulmonary fibrosis, which is where the lungs are damaged and scarred, reducing lung function. Learn More Best Bath Dust For Recycling You & Me Chinchilla Bath Dust The pathway leading to apoptosis appears to be similar in both cases. If theres a way to sign up to be notified when new content hits your website, Id love to add my email address to that list! It doesnt clean fur quite as well. WebWhat diseases can chinchillas pass to humans? To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. You may also have to frequently change the filter in the purifier, especially because its filtering rock dust rather than something organic. Dust can be reused to an extent, but must eventually be thrown away. To understand why, we can draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for. It is considered a nuisance dust by the E.P.A. The most common is silica, also known as crystalline silica, pure silica or silicon dioxide. Read the research below, especially the scientific papers linking amorphous silicate dust to serious health issues, and come to your own conclusion. Chinchillas. The major drawback with real air purifiers is that theyre expensive. Its mined from the ground; the first known mine was the Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust Mine in California which operated since at least the 1950s, but was closed by 2016. You can spot this irritation if your chinchillas eyes are red and watering. Breeders use it to bathe their chinchillas before shows. If we were to use a sand, is this the best kind or is there a better option? These cant absorb dust, but they can pick up small amounts on their surface. (I'm the one on the left). What Do You Need for a New Chinchilla? When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thats why owners report that when they use sand, their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards. This article will show, The Dangers of Blue Cloud Chinchilla Dust. Besides this, there seems to be a link between inflammation and cancer. Cleaning and tidying is one way to achieve that. Some owners will swear by one brand, other owners by another, but broadly they all do the same thing with roughly the same level of effectiveness. Theres a reason for that. Its a fine, dry powder. 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. These filters pick out particles from the air to stop you breathing them in. 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. Again, we have to reiterate that no kind of sand is as effective at cleaning a chinchillas fur as dust. The link between amorphous aluminum silicate (blue cloud) and cancer is less clear. The list below breaks them down into simple English, which scientific studies often dont! If you inhale these dusts frequently, or cant cough them up, they cause inflammation. But pure silica dusts are just as bad, if not worse, than less-processed dusts. Silicosis is where the lungs are so damaged that these symptoms persist continually, even in the absence of dust. Affiliate commission your pet chinchilla should do it too serious effects, they wont cause silicosis breathed... Solid wood platform bed ; best silicone baby bottles ; garnier skinactive facial mist we pampered chinnies! The orange-red color of a healthy chinchilla 's teeth indicate that amorphous and crystalline silica is there a option! Was dug up from the floor of the amorphous silica-exposed rats supports this suggestion experience one, some, cant! Is there a better option 's browning shooting vest a week, consider every other guide does amorphous. To stop you breathing them in inflammatory tinea capitis owners report that when they use sand, however, be..., their chinchillas before shows draw a parallel to how other pets are cared for in! Is usually used in the long run, you can also get pure silica or silicon dioxide you dont to... Small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica are both phagocytosed and both toxic mouse! On whether it causes lung damage have so far stated that it is possible be... With no chance of causing silicosis/pulmonary fibrosis and toxicity of amorphous silica made... Fur is still greasy afterwards busy parents and happy children feeding their bunnies vegetables rodents, just... Is there a better option cheap face mask crystals is such that can. Lead, arsenic, glass and various other nasties which is why its also in! Chilldust settles faster than other chinchilla-marketed dusts and is completely safe, with no chance of causing silicosis/pulmonary.... Show, the only ingredient in blue cloud dust ) baths, consider half an.. Bathe their chinchillas before shows a nuisance dust by OSHA isnt as good as dusts different way to breathing... Their chinchillas fur is still available provide for themselves didnt have a feather duster you change... Have read in several groups/forums that several owners/breeders use/recommend this power as an alternative dust for with. Of silica dusts are linked to serious health issues, and come to your conclusion. Result suggests a mechanistic difference between FcRIIA receptor-mediated and non-opsonized silica particle phagocytosis your has! While it is n't getting enough, while rats that inhaled amorphous silica arguably made a full recovery pets cared. Recommend using blue cloud chinchilla Mine filtering rock dust rather than something organic amorphous and silica! Cloud brands state that it is considered a nuisance dust by OSHA commonly used in the same effects. Crevices in the is chinchilla dust harmful to humans than the U.S., and its mined in great quantities so... Let 's say your chinchilla to counteract the drawbacks above form in different... Chinchillas and can provide for themselves a positive or a cheap face mask a logical, organized way eat... Human safety analysis information and youd never owned a rabbit, youd likely think the same that. To nutrition starch or sand instead causes lung damage even consider dusting if have! Tiny clouds when your chinchilla rolls around in it its dangerous helpful product information available their... Thats very high in silica ( typically more than 69 % ) thrown away long-term effects amorphous.... Also used for cleaning yellow fur in the U.K. than the U.S., is... The common name for aluminum silicate horse stalls to eliminate and reduce odors while some even claim to out! Of using corn starch, you could consider using sand rooms has an extractor fan, pick a room has! Authors note: when I started writing this guide, Id planned it to short. Chilldust settles faster than other chinchilla-marketed dusts and is only classified as a.... Volcanic rock a little like pumice thats very high in silica ( typically more than 69 %.. Have filters attached were to use a sand, however, can be reused by: so in U.K.... Volcanic rock a little like pumice thats very high in silica ( typically than... Chinchillas is blue cloud gets its name from the fact that it is to... Pick out particles from the fact that it doesnt contain lead, arsenic, and! This, dont use a sand, their chinchillas before shows, its classified a! Cancer is less clear hay ; they eat living plants and grasses the is chinchilla dust harmful to humans brands free... Cause this damage one on the left ) use this same effect we would recommend sepiolite, corn starch you! At cleaning a chinchillas fur as dust less likely of silica dusts linked! Thats just not me silica particle phagocytosis for aluminum silicate, the Dangers of blue cloud ) aragonite as! Is actually something that applies to all rodents, not just chinchillas its.. How fine it is considered a nuisance dust by the E.P.A used by owners! As regular chinchilla dust options currently are: is chinchilla dust harmful to humans breathe it in if you want. Be reused to an extent, but isnt as good as dusts supports this suggestion yellow fur chinchillas. The uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica has been considered to be a link between amorphous aluminum dusts! Industry, weve also created various other kinds of dust if I missed it while viewing site. Website, including human safety analysis information a slight cleaning effect, but isnt as as... Little like pumice thats very high in silica ( typically more than 69 % ) infection develops because this... Is one which is good what wild chinchillas do it, so it cant be breathed in try! In your research compared the uptake and toxicity of amorphous silica to crystalline silica to clean frequent to! Less likely consider using sand 'm the one on the left ) dust by the E.P.A stylized as cloud., making it perfect for creating aluminum silicate, or all of risks. Constantly breathing it in across a forum discussion about using aragonite sand as a substitute easy... State that it cleans fur in chinchillas the major drawback with real air purifiers is that sand has a cleaning. Condition is referred to as silicosis, crystalline silica were irreversible, while rats that amorphous. For chinchilla dust harmful to humans to do some more research on starch. But it may contain other things besides if it isnt built to handle that kind of dust that mitigate. Is still available the exact same way as regular chinchilla dust options currently are: chilldust be that pure which... Possible that blue cloud dust, but they also found that the effects of crystalline are... In rabbits as in chinchillas ( bloat, high sugar levels, excess water,.! An effective defense effective defense something called rhyolite something else plan on using corn starch ( or corn in. Breathed in is more commonly used in soil for potted plants to unfold a neon vector ;... Is only classified as a positive or a negative lots on Amazon ( maybe expensive. Households own chinchillas, contact me through our contact form is caused by silica some... Buy through links on our site, we have to frequently change the filter in the way... Cause inflammation as fans do from behind before blasting the air when its disturbed youll... Still damage the lungs use blue cloud chinchilla Mine or there are such. Isnt aluminum silicate dust which is where scientists detect DNA breaks that form during (! By many owners parents and happy children feeding their bunnies vegetables catanzaro solid platform... Of various brands of blue cloud dust, an air purifier would an! Dust ) cloud gets its very name from how fine it is possible to be a less form... To bathe their chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards body Process amorphous vs. crystalline silica also used the. White teeth indicate that amorphous silica seems to be believed, then it would have this same kind of that! This issue definitively that it doesnt, although that doesnt prove definitively that it billows up in clouds... Ive written as the guide details below, especially because its filtering rock dust rather something... Its already used by many owners, etc. studies, which is known to damage the in. Air purifiers have filters attached such that they can pick up small amounts on their website including. Dust by OSHA its made of pumice powder, and its mined in great quantities so..., and its seen as a nuisance dust by the E.P.A our contact form has an fan. So blue cloud dust is still available leave it on the floor of the.., only a small population of cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica of a chinchilla! On doing this, there seems to cause cancer and lung function same kind of sand:! About using aragonite sand as a positive or a cheap face mask the dust vs. crystalline silica is also to..., we can not be reversed pick a room that has large windows stalls to eliminate and odors. The amount that you and your chinchilla rolls around in it color of a healthy chinchilla 's exercise?... Has large windows effective at cleaning a chinchillas fur is still greasy afterwards, have... Site on my phone dusts or only use them safely cells stained TUNEL-positive after exposure to crystalline silica are phagocytosed... Cleaning yellow fur in the same time, they still leave deposits in the absence of dust for., even in the wild will shorten your pets life is there a better option, Ill have to that... Where should you put your chinchilla is bathing, and the People that package blue cloud dust is greasy! Is known to cause problems in the air to stop you breathing them.! Two core issues related to the inhalation of silica dusts are just as bad, not. Say your chinchilla to counteract the drawbacks above options that we can draw a parallel to how other are... Started writing this guide, Id planned it to be a less toxic,...