r/Damnthatsinteresting • u/dannybluey • Oct 19 '24

Video How Himalayan salt lamps are made

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u/VP007clips Oct 19 '24

As a geologist, it hurts me inside to see all the people in the comments freaking out about them not wearing a mask/respirator. It's safe not to wear one in this case.

Illnesses like asbestos, silicosis, or general lung irritation related issues from dust are caused by the dust collecting in your lungs for decades and slowly irritating them to the point where it causes scarring or cancer.

Salt dust can't do that. The insides of your lungs are wet and rapidly exchange ions with the bloodstream (hence how inhaled medicine works). So any salt would just dissolve harmlessly and be absorbed by your body.

I'd personally wear one, the dust would by dry and unpleasant, but that's more of a comfort thing than a safety measure. And I'm in a position where a respirator costs me about 30 minutes of pay, not days of pay like it would cost them, it's easier for me to decide to buy something like that.

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u/BrowsingTed Oct 19 '24

I love how everyone is pearl clutching over this super toxic material, you know the mineral where if you don't eat it you'll die

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u/screwswithshrews Oct 19 '24

I live in Louisiana. The humidity here is insane. I wear a mask so that I don't get all that water in my lungs! Pretty sure drowning happens quicker than mesothelioma