Focus on Health

Not only is Reed an early, environmentally green adaptor; our BLACK BEAUTY® coal slag abrasive products are also low dusting and have low free silica.

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Low Free Silica, Low Dusting & Chemically Inert

BLACK BEAUTY® blasting abrasives are a preferred alternative to silica sand. Silica sand can contain up to 99% free silica which has been found to cause silicosis, a sometimes fatal lung disease. BLACK BEAUTY® abrasives are low dusting, chemically inert, contain less than 0.1% free silica, and are not causally linked with any disease, including silicosis. See the CDC's Health Report.

Lungs

Sand Blasting and Silicosis

Workers engaged in sand blasting receive heavy exposure to free silica. Government studies show that even short-term exposure to large amounts of free silica can cause acute silicosis, a disabling, nonreversible and sometimes even fatal lung disease. Inhaling free silica particles is also associated with bronchitis and tuberculosis. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has recommended since 1974 that silica sand (or other substances containing more than 1% free silica) be prohibited as an abrasive blasting material and that less hazardous substitutes be used.

Meets Environmental Standards

Because we obtain our BLACK BEAUTY® abrasive raw materials from stringent sources as approved and tested by our Technology Center, they meet all known environmental standards, including the most stringent abrasive specifications in the market. BLACK BEAUTY® passes California Title 17 for low dusting (CARB), SSPC AB-1, 40CFR 261.24a (TCLP); it is also military QPL approved: MIL-A-22262B(SH).