Does G10 Material in Pocket Knives Pose a Cancer Risk?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the cancer risk associated with G10 handle scales in pocket knives, specifically referencing California's Proposition 65 warnings. Participants assert that the warnings are largely exaggerated, noting that many materials, including nickel and chromium in knife steel, are also listed under Prop 65. The consensus is that while inhalation of fine particles can pose health risks, the cancer risk from G10 is minimal compared to known hazards like cigarette smoke. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the context of such warnings and the relative risks involved.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of California Proposition 65 regulations
  • Knowledge of materials used in knife manufacturing, specifically G10 and steel
  • Familiarity with health risks associated with inhalation of fine particles
  • Basic awareness of cancer risk factors related to smoking and air pollution
NEXT STEPS
  • Research California Proposition 65 and its implications for consumer products
  • Explore the properties and safety concerns of G10 material in detail
  • Investigate studies on the health effects of fine particulate matter (PM2.5)
  • Examine the comparative risks of smoking versus exposure to various materials
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for knife enthusiasts, manufacturers, health professionals, and consumers concerned about material safety and cancer risks associated with everyday products.

yungman
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I have been looking at pocket knives, seems like all the ones with G10 handle scales have a warning about cancer. This is a very typical pocket knife.

https://www.chicagoknifeworks.com/steel-will-cutjack-c22m-linerlock-od/

You see the cancer warning message?

The rest of the knife is all steel, bronze, they cannot be causing cancer, only the G10 scale I can think of that can cause cancer.

Is this exaggerated?

If you put in pocket with no skin contact, does that help preventing the problem?

Thanks
 
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I believe it is an inhalation hazard.
 
Frabjous said:
I believe it is an inhalation hazard.
I am still looking, this is what I saw on Google:

"In fact, there are hundreds of chemicals on the California Prop 65 list—including things like nickel and chromium that have always been a part of knife steel. As a responsible manufacturer, we are including the warning as required by the law."
 
The Prop 65 notice is an almost completely meaningless warning.

More evidence here

BoB
 
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rbelli1 said:
The Prop 65 notice is an almost completely meaningless warning.

More evidence here

BoB
I guess the sure way to be safe is don't breath, don't touch.:biggrin::-p
 
Humans are made of chemicals and government policies cause cancer, yet incumbent politicians are not labeled as cancer causing. :wink:
 
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If you take most any solid material and grind it into small enough particles, it causes cancer. Search terms fine dust causes cancer readily found this from the American Lung Association at: https://www.lung.org/clean-air/outd...threshold,respiratory disease and lung cancer. A quote from that link:
There is no safe threshold to breathe in fine particles. A recent review of all available scientific evidence to date clearly shows that particle pollution is associated with increased mortality from all causes, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and lung cancer.

Another hit is from the National Institutes for Health at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7546438/ has the following quote:
Exposure to PM2.5 air pollution contributes to lung cancer incidence and is potentially associated with non-lung cancer incidence.

Further searching adding wood dust to the search terms finds studies that deal with the confounding factor of cigarette smoking. The cancer causing effect of smoking is far greater than the cancer causing effect of fine dusts. This makes it difficult to isolate the possible hazards of most materials from the known hazards of smoking, especially when the effect of second hand smoke is included.

More searching using search terms fine dust smoking cancer finds this link (and others): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25395026/. A quote: reductions in cigarette smoking will achieve the greatest impact on lung cancer rates

yungman said:
Is this exaggerated?
Yes, even if you grind up the entire knife into submicron size particles and blast those particles into the air. On the other hand, if you are a smoker or even breathe second hand smoke, you are definitely endangering yourself.
 
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Thread paused for Moderation...
 
With the excellent post by JR, this is probably a good time to tie off this thread. Thanks folks.
 

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