The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

We know Mica is a mineral.

I just wondered if there may be health risks associated with mica?
Any radium levels etc.?

I doubt it, unless you make a habit of eating the old ones you take out!

Not trying to be a wise-guy, but they shouldn't cause any harm unless you grind them-up and take a deep snort...


Any sort of dust that gets inhaled into the respiratory system can be harmful if it accumulates...

Even the flour that makes-up our baked goods can cause health problems... ("Baker's lung")...


The thin edge of the diaphragm might be sharp enough to give a cut like a paper-cut...


I don't think you need to worry about any long-term health issues from its use in talking-machines.

A search of the internet displayed no known reports of dangers associated with prolonged exposure to Mica. However, some construction materials contain powdered mica and the manufacturers recommend wearing protective gear when installing those construction materials, as a precaution against inhaling the dust. Also noteworthy, many make-up products contain mica particles (to create a sparkle, or for texture and coloring) and the manufacturers of those products have conducted repeated tests to discover any negative affects on human skin.

I sometimes worry about this when I'm working with fine steel wool, especially when cleaning/polishing metal hardware... it really breaks apart into fine dust and can get into the air and all over the place.

When in doubt, wear a good quality, properly fitting filter-mask...

I'm prone to sinus troubles, and if I spend time making saw-dust, or running a wire-wheel on some rusty iron, w/o a mask, I can almost guarantee a sinus infection within a few days.

in my 20's, I worked as a scenery carpenter for a small regional theatre, and had constant sinusitis / infections from the shop-dust.


Stuff that accumulates in the lungs is more serious...


I don't know that hand=scrubbing with fine steel-wool is a serious threat (the wire-wheel on a motor can make clouds of dust)... a possible indicator might be to blow your nose when done, and if the mucus is filled with grey-black steel-wool particles, then best to wear a mask in the future... ?


As for workers in the building trades wearing protective gear, these guys are exposed to potentially hazardous materials / conditions on a daily basis... that's a lot different than most of us playing with our hobbies on odd nights and weekends...


Protect yourself... you only get one body....

Mica has been in use for ever in wood and coal stoves in the door so you can view the fire if it has not caused concern in that application I am sure it is safe used as reproducer diaphragm. I worked from age 8 to my early twentys for my father as a hardwood floor installer, sander, and finisher and always had sinus infections thank god I became an engineer.
Allen

BTW, fiberglass insulation can be a problem, too. If it makes your skin itch, imagine what it's doing inside your lungs!

Since reading this thread I've completely given up eating discarded mica diaphragms. I simply can't take that risk any more.

Steve wrote:Since reading this thread I've completely given up eating discarded mica diaphragms. I simply can't take that risk any more.

'Tis a pity. To quote W.C. Fields, "They're mighty good with mustard."