the shizzle > shootin' the shit
Chalk Dust - Long Term Health Impact
sxrxg:
Having Asthma i looked at this a while ago and concluded it wasn't worth overly worrying about.
Think the best academic paper that i found was this one that looked at gymnastics faclities and chalk: https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/83624/2017reamerj.pdf?sequence=1
User deactivated.:
--- Quote from: sxrxg on March 18, 2024, 01:07:45 pm ---Having Asthma i looked at this a while ago and concluded it wasn't worth overly worrying about.
Think the best academic paper that i found was this one that looked at gymnastics faclities and chalk: https://minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/83624/2017reamerj.pdf?sequence=1
--- End quote ---
Thanks. That's the most relevant data I've seen on it. The air quality within the tested gymnastics gym was well within occupational health limits and I suspect a climbing gym would be similar. It's worth noting that the tested gym did have a ventilation system and they still recommended better housekeeping, maximally ventilating the space and using liquid chalk, so I imagine that chalk dust can be harmful, but as you say, probably not a major concern at an average wall.
Dac:
“do you have a source to back this up?”
It doesn’t do much for the validity of my point, but no.
My post was basically just written based off half remembered bits of knowledge (biochemistry degree, 25 years of lab work in the pharmaceutical industry, 10 of them at a site specialising in inhalational products). Hopefully someone will reply with some better and more specific knowledge.
I suspect you may struggle to find much in the way of studies and data specific to chalk dust. (The paper relating to gymnastics facilities is better than anything I could find).
As far as solubility is concerned, it is soluble to an extent of about 0.015g per 100g of water. Which I have to admit is a lot lower than I was expecting. However if lodged in the depths of your lungs your body would still be able to shift it.
MischaHY:
There was a group of students running an air quality test in Tübingen a few years back. They concluded that particle size wasn’t dangerous (IIRC) but that the gym could do something to improve air quality regardless. The gym then installed these hanging static filter things which made a big improvement on fine particulate in the air. I don’t have a link unfortunately.
tomtom:
I have a PM meter - and in my cellar it usually sits at 2-4 (very low). When I climb on my board it rapidly rises to 30-60 even if I am very sparing with chalk. This is starting to get to levels which are not considered good for outside air quality. I've not yet ventured to the depot on a tuesday evening (when its rammed) and measured yet... Ventilation is of course important (next to zero in my cellar) which may not be a problem in summer when wall doors/windows are open but might be in the winter.
Secondly - I would be more concerned about the drying agents found in some chalk brands - which I believe are carcinogenic.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
[*] Previous page
Go to full version