[danachit]

I was wondering if drilling pearls created an occupational hazard from inhaling pearl dust...sort of like black lung disease from coal dust...

What precautions does the industry take to keep people from getting 'pearl lung'?

Are there any other hazards of the industry?

[Mikeyy]

Originally Posted by danachit

I was wondering if drilling pearls created an occupational hazard from inhaling pearl dust...sort of like black lung disease from coal dust...

What precautions does the industry take to keep people from getting 'pearl lung'?

Are there any other hazards of the industry?

I've heard a couple of stories about lung damage due to shell carving without proper ventilation. These days there is usually suction vents right where they are carving. One old shell carver from Broome was supposed to have died from breathing the dust over a long time.
But that is much more dust then you will raise from drilling pearls.

[The Pearl Outlet]

Here at TPO, all of our drillers use a respirator mask. For those with sensitive skin, pearl dust can also cause a rash. The fine particles of dust can be an irritant.