Can Glass Blowing Kill You?

The world of glass blowing is a fascinating and colorful one. Using the skill of a glass blower, artists have created a wide variety of objects, including furniture and lighting. The art of blowing glass has also been used to create medical devices. The earliest examples of this craft date to the 19th century, and the perfusion pump invented in 1934 is credited with being a major medical breakthrough that would not have been possible without the use of blown glass.

Blown glass is made by melting silica and flux in a furnace, then shaping the molten mixture with a pipe that’s heated to high temperatures. The process of creating glass can be dangerous and is not for everyone.

To be safe, all glass blowers should wear protective equipment and follow proper safety practices. The most common safety precautions include wearing a respirator and working in a properly ventilated studio. Eye protection is recommended for any worker who is exposed to a lot of infrared and ultraviolet light, as well as sodium flares.

There are some hazards associated with glass blowing, such as burns and cuts from the molten material, but they’re not the only problems you’ll encounter. You may also be exposed to chemicals in the molten glass and other harmful materials, which can cause damage to your health over time.

You should also be careful when storing your molten glass because the fumes can be very toxic to you, especially if you have a respiratory condition like asthma or are sensitive to silica. Some kinds of glass (such as soda-lime glass) contain zinc oxide, and this substance can cause a condition called metal fume fever if inhaled at high levels.

In addition, you should also be very careful when handling hot molten glass because it can easily break or crack, and you could end up with a shattered piece of glass on your hands or face. The pieces of shattered glass can cut you very severely, and the edges can be quite sharp, making them even more dangerous to handle.

Many of these hazards are caused by glass’s brittleness and the fact that it fractures along many different planes. You can end up with a shattered edge that’s sharp on some angles and not so sharp on others, or you can be injured by falling into a shattered piece of glass.

Fortunately, this type of injury is rare and the majority of people who work with molten glass are not killed by their accidents. But if you do get a cut from shattered glass, you should be sure to see a doctor right away.

Then, if you are in serious pain or suffering from any other injuries, visit a hospital to be examined and treated before returning to the glass studio to begin your project. This will give you a chance to heal and avoid further complications from your accident, which can lead to permanent damage or even death.