Metal Polishing Myths, Half Truths and Lies

22. Environmentaly safe and low toxicity polishes are safe to be exposed to

Another ish, kinda, maybe deal.

Environmentally safe polishes use mild acids that occur naturally as active anti-oxidants. However, large quantities of fine metal particulates are not environmentally or physically good, especially soft and heavy metals. Large quantities in the body system through skin absorption and inhalation can have some very serious and long term effects - Alzheimer's, brittle bones, loss of teeth, skin disorders being the beginning of a very long list of disorders associated with metals.

Always use barrier creams, face masks and whatever other protection is necessary to avoid contamination. One of the main problems with (environmentally) safe polishes is that they are poor performers. For the acids to be of any real use they have to be quite concentrated. Then they become not so environmentally good and often quite harsh skin irritants, so really the same rules should be applied to all metal polishes. another draw back of acid based polish is that they normally etch into the metals and cause re oxidization.

Protect yourself.

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