aquapanels/hardiebacker/cement boards are cancerous

[gas-man]

hi everyone popped over from the plumbing forum with this frightening info i have copied the post i put there

aqua panels cancerous silicate fibers

aqua panels or cement board typically used in showers prior to tiling been on a job today where the other 2 were doing a bathroom refit and using cement board they came with a big warning label saying cutting/drilling of them releases silicate fibers and can cause silicosis and lung cancer i think miners can get silicosis on the lungs and its often fatal how the hell can a product as dangerous as asbestos be allowed to be used in this day and age putting our lives at risk?

[impish]

I've been highlighting this for ages.

Many will claim it's fine. As long as......
Full ppe is worn. Cut as per instructions blah, blah, blah.
They have also said (or implied) that as silicone is the most abundant element on earth that it can't POSSIBLY be harmful!

IMO it carries the potential (like asbestos) for causing harm.
Like asbestos though, it's not going to kill you if used and handled correctly.

I won't use it anymore. I started using kerdi-boards for walls and marmox or ply for floors.

Big business tells big lies and will happily kill us all for profit. They've been doing it for centuries.

[whitebeam]

Hi and welcome gas-man..

Good point, i know it will be in the future these deseases will come to light, even though the warnings are already there..
.

[kilty55]

wow,good info gas man

[bobbynz]

I've been highlighting this for ages.

Many will claim it's fine. As long as......
Full ppe is worn. Cut as per instructions blah, blah, blah.
They have also said (or implied) that as silicone is the most abundant element on earth that it can't POSSIBLY be harmful!
IMO it carries the potential (like asbestos) for causing harm.
Like asbestos though, it's not going to kill you if used and handled correctly.

I won't use it anymore. I started using kerdi-boards for walls and marmox or ply for floors.

Big business tells big lies and will happily kill us all for profit. They've been doing it for centuries.

this stuff is still being used here in nz and its called slate and tile underlay. i have used it for years until a few years ago when i began getting a heavy chest and found out i had this silicosis. it is horrible i felt like i was a 4 pack a day smoker and it lasted for about 6 weeks coughing up all sorts of ...... since then i started using an american product we have now called easyboard from custom building prod. 9mm walls and 6mm floors and a tenth of weight and no dust cuts with knife.lightweight material has come to be quite popular. i recommend using a really good dustmask or respirator if you are going to saw or drill this stuff. or use a manual cutter. nasty stuff

[troweler]

This is bad news.What about no more ply? Is that the same?

[PHG Wetrooms]

This is why Hardibacker only suggest using their scoring tools so that you do not create the fine dust particles that you would if you cut or grind it

[Rich]

Mad isnt it, this is all in the paper work for the product but everything is so covered in warnings that the first thing you think is "rubbish! Im sure it will be alright".

I make a point of cutting the stuff outside and with the best dusk mask I can buy. Just hope thats enough.

[TAS25]

I use a knife to cut cement board. Sometimes to cut shower roughins I do use a drill bit for. Thanks for the warning. Where im from most tile setters use cement board because wedi board or kerdi board isnt that available. Whats the price difference anyway?

[Gazebo]

Good point gas man and one that shouldn't be avoided, i have just overboarded a small floor with hardibacker 6mm flooring boards and used the scoring tool which i bought the last time I installed hardi.

The Silica warning is quite clear on the underside of the board and rec are there for installers. Still a worry though.

I also found that the dedicated hardibacker screws and screw bit were useless at pulling the screws flush with the board. screws kept rounding and a 10 minute job turned into a 30 minute job. arrraghhh.


I might stick with ply in future (unless wet room then i will use marmox)

p.s. Topps have just started advertising 15mm in 1200mmx 800mm size. quite handy to know.