Can iron filings cause permanent eye damage?

[durhamer]

TL;DR

Disposal of iron filings

Hey there,
how do you dispose of leftover iron filings from an experiment? Can they be disposed of in the normal household waste?
Thanks!

 

[Baluncore]

Welcome to PF.
You could dispose of iron filings in a used tin can, the same way you dispose of used cans.

If they are clean and free of contamination you could sprinkle filings on soil, or bury them. They will rust to a red colour and become part of the soil. Do you have any pot plants?

 

[berkeman]

Do you have any pot plants?

Pot plants or potted plants?

 

[Keith_McClary]

What experiment did you do? We could suggest others that would use it up.

 

[tech99]

Summary:: Disposal of iron filings

Hey there,
how do you dispose of leftover iron filings from an experiment? Can they be disposed of in the normal household waste?
Thanks!

Iron filings are very dangerous to the eyes.

 

[Mark44]

Iron filings are very dangerous to the eyes.

Well, of course, but I don't think anyone is suggesting that the filings should be poured into anyone's eyes.

It should go without saying that many materials, such as sand, salt, pepper, etc. are dangerous to the eyes, but pose no threat to the environment otherwise.

 

[Baluncore]

Iron filings are very dangerous to the eyes.

The reason iron particles are more damaging to the eyes is because hot particles, such as are produced during cutting and grinding, will stick to the surface of the eye. Within 6 hours the iron diffuses and oxidises to form a permanent rust stain in the outer layer of the eye. Like sand, the abrasive used in the cutting wheel does not oxidise and so does not leave a permanent stain. Seek medical attention promptly if a foreign particle is fixed and cannot be immediately flushed.
https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/A_E/Eye-injury-foreign-object-in-the-eye