Laser Bonding – Is the bonding material dangerous to use by operators?
Yes and no! Yes it does contain a hazardous material – crystalline silicate which is a known carcinogen! Before you get too concerned, crystalline silicate is another term for quartz, which is a major constituent of sand, which can cause health problems if inhaled in large quantities, as in the building trade for example. In the case of instrument marking, the amount present in the bonding material is minimal. If you were to make 1000 marks in a day, the total exposure level will be equivalent to just over 1 grain of sand which is well below the safe exposure limit. No PPE is required. In any event, the material is unlikely to be inhaled as it is either in a moist condition else in a stable dry condition. When we carry out bonding, we always ensure that we clean marks and spillages using moist cloths to prevent the material becoming airborne and avoid any risk of inhalation.
