Good discussion on cutting papercrete blocks.
One word of caution.
Beware of the dust!!!
Blocks can be cut safely, but please wear a quality dust mask, or even better, a good respirator. Wear long clothing to prevent skin contact, and clean youself up quickly after you're done.
Since crystalline silica in the form of quartz is a major component of concrete, airborne respirable quartz dust may be produced during construction work involving the disturbance of concrete, thereby producing a silicosis hazard for exposed workers. Silicosis is a debilitating and sometimes fatal lung disease resulting from breathing microscopic particles of crystalline silica.
Source -- National Institute of Health
There is no specific treatment for silicosis. Removing the source of silica exposure is important to prevent the disease from getting worse. Supportive treatment includes cough medicine, bronchodilators, and oxygen if needed. Antibiotics are prescribed for respiratory infections as needed.
Treatment also includes limiting exposure to irritants, quitting smoking, and having routine tuberculosis skin tests.
People with silicosis are at high risk for developing tuberculosis (TB). Silica is believed to interfere with the body's immune response to the bacteria that cause TB. People with silicosis should have skin tests to check for exposure to TB. Those with a positive skin test should be treated with anti-TB drugs. Any change in the appearance of the chest x-ray may be a sign of TB.
Patients with severe silicosis may need to have a lung transplant.
Source -- National Institute of Health
I'm not attempting to overly frighten anyone. No need for anyone to panic. The world won't end in a cloud of dust.
Cutting papercrete can be very useful. No need to avoid it entirely. Just be smart. Be aware that the dust is not good for you. Stay safe. Please protect your lungs and skin when you cut it, and clean up your worksite afterward, as well as yourself and your clothing. With proper common sense precautions cutting papercrete is a very safe activity, but if you ignore those common sense precautions, you are risking damaging your lungs in a way that nobody knows how to treat.
--- In papercreters@yahoogroups.com, Othello English <ifilmswest@...> wrote:
>
> I was thinking sawzall...and with the right jig could probably cut several blocks at once...thanks Judith and Spaceman.
>
