slilica in brick

[gtofani]

The local masonary store has the fire brick that measures 9 x 2 1/4 x 4.
The yard guy told me to handle it with gloves due to the content of the brick causing a health problem. Also, to wear a mask cutting it ( not a problem with a wet saw).
Is this something I want to cook my food on and eat?
Has anyone heard of any health concerns from firebrick?

[GianniFocaccia]

Virtually every oven built according to the FB plans utilizes firebricks for the floor. A quick review of the photo gallery shows countless numbers of pizzas cooking directly on the firebricks.

I have not heard of any health hazards from cooking on firebrick, and would you honestly believe every one of these builders would ignore a health warning if there was one?

Breathing the dust from dry cutting firebricks is an entirely different matter and a definite health risk.

[brickie in oz]

Originally Posted by gtofani

Also, to wear a mask cutting it ( not a problem with a wet saw).

Not true, wet or dry you can still get silicosis from the dust, a good friend of mine now has it from wet cutting bricks for a living.

[Hank10746]

Originally Posted by gtofani

The local masonary store has the fire brick that measures 9 x 2 1/4 x 4.
The yard guy told me to handle it with gloves due to the content of the brick causing a health problem. Also, to wear a mask cutting it ( not a problem with a wet saw).
Is this something I want to cook my food on and eat?
Has anyone heard of any health concerns from firebrick?

Well any kind of dust you want to stay away from. The brick is safe for food. I don't know of anything in them that is harmful to your health. As far as gloves as with any concrete it is abrasive and can burn after awhile and cut you. Silica is a form of sand. They can make glass out of it. Hope it helps

[gtofani]

Since I am not making a living at it, I am not worried too much about it.
Those at the masonary store work with the stuff every day which may be the reason for his warning.
I am going ahead with the oven and can't wait to eat a wood fired stove pizza.

[brickie in oz]

Originally Posted by gtofani

Since I am not making a living at it, I am not worried too much about it.

Its much like asbestos, which particle did the damage, the first or last you breathed?

[wotavidone]

I strongly recommend that you get a dust mask. I suggest a disposable flat fold respirator rated for dusts, such as the 3M 9332 P2. Follow the instructions illustrated on the packet for using both hands to bend the metal strip down over your nose, to get an effective seal. We've tested them and found that, if fitted properly, they give very good protection against respirable dust.
The cheapy "dust" masks available at 5 masks for 2 dollars at the hardware store are useless. I was on leave, and didn't want to go into work and get the real thing, even though the company gives them to you, so I used the cheapies for sanding old paint at my home, and my lead in blood went so high the site Industrial Hygienist threatened to ban me from site until it came down. Any good industrial safety supplies shop should be able to assist.
Brickie is right, even wet dust can be a problem - you only need to ingest a little bit, wet or dry.

[david s]

It is the crystalline silica which develops when the silica is fired which is the problem, however it is dangerousnonly when inhaled not when ingested.

[wotavidone]

lemme rephrase that:
you only need to inhale a little bit, wet or dry.
Anyway, a bit of basic caution, and you'll be scoffing excellent pizza in no time.

[Hank10746]

Always remember this any thing is dangerous, no matter how safe it has been proved to be! For example pure water can kill you depending on how much you breath.