Schmere Fullers Earth

[car96]

So I was a bit surprised when this arrived in the mail and has a WARNING label on the side that reads, "This product contains a chemical known to the state of California to cause cancer."

So I called the store I ordered it from and asked the guy what's up and he said it's just there as a precaution.....just like when you pump gasoline there is a warning to not inhale it.

I mentioned then how do you explain distressing costume and clothing with this stuff, seems like you put it on and it creates a bit of a 'cloud' around your and the item (ie leather jacket, fedora, pants) and you can't get around it. He said, yeah, they "use that stuff out here in California exactly as you say, but I just have to put that warning label on the jar."

So, I said well I guess it's ok? He responds, "well, that is up to you."

So what the heck guys.....do I need to be worried about this stuff?

[Cajunkraut]

With all due respect to Kalifornia and its über-vigilant legislature, I'll put my money on those who've been using the stuff regularly for decades, including the movie and pharmaceutical industries.

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA48890" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[car96]

The guy at the store said the chemical that is in it, sillicate, is the reason.

Your article link is comforting though, thanks.

Any other ideas, or if you have used this stuff, please respond.

[Kt Templar]

Anything that is powdery and can be inhaled has a possibility of being dangerous. There are concerns about talc now. From inhalation and from it entering the urinary tract.

Cheerful to know.

[car96]

How do you apply this stuff?

[whipwarrior]

On behind-the-scenes documentaries, they sometimes use a tied nylon stocking filled with the dirt, which allows the dust to puff out as the make-up artist batters the costumed actor. The mesh ensures that the fullers is applied consistently, eliminating the cloud of choking dust. It can also be sprinkled or brushed onto garments (hat, clothing, etc.). I have a bag of red dust from Petra that a friend picked up on a visit to Jordan. Someday I'm going to use it on my LC gear for a special occasion.

[Cajunkraut]

96,

Schmere offers a "pounce bag" unit which is used exactly as Warrior described.



You've gotta be careful with the application, because it's really easy to put on too much, even with the bag. Needless to say, the stuff goes everywhere.

[Kt Templar]

Or put it in an old sock?

I do laugh sometimes at the genius of some marketing.

[whipwarrior]

Yes, a men's nylon dress sock works equally well.

[Cajunkraut]

Or put it in an old sock?

I do laugh sometimes at the genius of some marketing.

...Or hand crush some kitty litter. Convenience is limited only by what we're willing to pay for it, I guess.

[Kt Templar]

Or put it in an old sock?

I do laugh sometimes at the genius of some marketing.

...Or hand crush some kitty litter. Convenience is limited only by what we're willing to pay for it, I guess.

I didn't want to mention the cat litter thing as people tended to heebie geebies the last couple of times I did...

I have an old bronze pestle and mortar (from Tunisia no less) that I use exactly for kitty litter fullers earth crushing.

[Indiana Jeff]

Just make sure the kitty litter is only 100% fullers earth.

Many litters have additives for scent control, clumping, etc. I wouldn't want those chemicals mixing into my gear.


Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[baddates1]

I can see it now "Man dies of cancer. Hospital believes death caused by dirt."

[whipwarrior]

Death by dirt is a hazard in Indy's line of work.

[twilekjedi]

Thrifty-Sorb: 100% Fuller's Earth. Bought at Advance Auto Parts for less than $6 for 40 lbs.

[Tibor]

That's ... a ... lot ... of ... dirt.

You could cosplay as Pigpen from The Peanuts comic strip.

[Cajunkraut]

That's ... a ... lot ... of ... dirt.

You could cosplay as Pigpen from The Peanuts comic strip.

Overkill is underrated.

[twilekjedi]

That's ... a ... lot ... of ... dirt.

Smallest bag they had. But it was dirt cheap.

[Indiana Jeff]

Regards,

Indiana Jeff

[car96]

I went to my local advance auto parts and found the bag but decided against purchasing because to me it seems like it's crushed up rock like and wont really give you the "dust" look.

I assume you would have to find a way to crush it up and maybe then you get a more sand/dirt/dust product?

The lady at the store wanted to know why I wanted it...she said, "it's just kitty litter". I said well, some people like to use it to distress clothing to look older & more vintage. She just got a puzzled look on her face & I was not shocked to see it.

[twilekjedi]

Yes, you have to crush it but it's not hard to do.

[Canuck Digger]

I just got a Schmere fuller's earth pounce bag and almost jumped out of my skin when I saw that warning! So I picked up the phone and called the place I bought it from and this is what they told me (not verbatim, but #### close):

Them-Yes. *sigh* It's because of how volatile the stuff is. We HAVE to put that on there. ANYTHING that is this volatile that you breathe in can cause cancer. Because it's not supposed to be in your lungs in the first place. So just use a mask and do it outside. That means DON'T do it in your bathroom!

Me-So it's not because there is a product in there that is itself cancerous?

Them-No. It's just if you breath it in.

So there you have it. Do it outside, wear a mask (and gloves if it makes you feel better) and I was told for a crustier, more permanent look, schpritz on some water on top. I haven't yet had a chance to try it yet, but I'm sure it can't be that hard of a thing to learn. Subtle perhaps, but hard? Maybe do some tests on something you don't mind ruining first...
Cheers!

[Ridgerunner58]

If you lived in California you'd understand.

That "Proposition 65" warning has to be attached to virtually everything.

If you walk in to a McDonalds or a Burger King the warning is stuck on the door and the cash register. Grocery stores have to post them. I can check, but I think the truck that delivers bottled drinking water to my house even has one on it.

The warning is meaningless because no-one can distinguish between the REAL hazards, and ones like this where some overpaid civil servant has decided that if you were to breathe this stuff in in quantities that would astonish even the Studio 54 crowd in the late 70s, you "might" have a problem.

[Michaelson]

I can check, but I think the truck that delivers bottled drinking water to my house even has one on it.

Well, THAT'S understandable, as if you breathe THAT stuff in, I believe it's called 'drowning'.



Regard! Michaelson

[IndianaDan]

Moleskine notebooks have the same Prop 65 warning.