Can breathing rust harm you? Yes, it definitely can

As an avid retro game collector and restorer, I‘ve seen my fair share of rusty old cartridges and consoles. And while a little character can add to the charm, too much corrosion can damage functionality – and your lungs if you breathe enough in. So can some surface grime actually harm you? Let‘s dig into the science.

Here‘s how rust wreaks havoc once inhaled

Rust may just look like a reddish-orange powder, but it contains iron oxide particles that can irritate lung tissue. When you breathe in these tiny shards, they stick to sensitive alveoli and bronchi in the lungs. As more build up over time, inflammation and scarring occurs, reducing oxygen absorption.

[Insert infographic of alveoli/lung anatomy here]

While a single minor exposure likely won‘t cause long term issues, repeated contact with rust dust or fumes can be dangerous. The oxidized iron releases free radicals that break down cells in lung walls when embedded for too long.

According to a 2019 mechanistic study, iron oxide particles also trigger an imbalance between collagen production and breakdown. This gradually replaces elastic tissue with permanent fibrotic scarring over months and years of exposure.

Both short and long term health consequences

Even brief contact with significant rust inhalation can spike reactions. For example, metal fume fever – a temporary flu-like illness – occurs in about 25% of exposed machining workers according to a 2018 report.

Symptoms like metallic taste, fever, headache, nausea may begin 3-10 hours after exposure. While uncomfortable, these usually resolve within 24-48 hours.

However, long term outcomes are more concerning…

Chronic respiratory diseases from years of rust dust inhalation are essentially irreversible. Once lung capacity declines to a certain point, supplemental oxygen and medications can only minimally improve function.

[Insert small data table on illness progression here]

Varying danger levels by rust type & source

Is all rust equally risky though if inhaled? Not exactly. Let‘s analyze a few variables:

Composition – Rust from pure iron generally poses lower threat than mixtures with heavy metals or other products. Would avoid breathing fumes from rust removers.

Solubility – More soluble particles like heat-oxidized rust are more hazardous. These penetrate and dissolve deeper in lung fluid vs insoluble dust.

Size – Ultra fine nanoscale particles under 0.1 microns are most damaging. But even visible accumulations irritate over time.

Amount – Clearly high concentrations ramp up risk quicker than trace exposures. Still, even low intermittent dust inhalation adds up over decades.

Source – Heavily rusted machinery, pipes, or surfaces that crumble easily present most danger for airborne spread.

So while rust from a few flecks of paint peeling off an old console likely won‘t trigger major issues acutely, I‘d still recommend avoiding breathing it where possible.

Recommended protective gear

Especially when intentionally disturbing rust during hardware restoration, what mask is best? Here‘s my take:

• Basic paper dust masks – Better than nothing for mild exposure, but limited effectiveness
• Cloth masks – Capture some larger particles but still easy penetration
• Surgical masks – Decent liquid barrier but very breathable weave
• KN95 – Much improved filtration but gaps reduce 95% rating
• Half-face respirators – Nearly eliminate inhaled dust when fitted properly

Ideally a respirator with P100 filters is worth the investment if handling lots of corrosion removal. Adds peace of mind while preserving retro gear!

Cleaning rust safely

Since preventing rust in the first place is tough for aging equipment, how it‘s removed matters too. Aggressive scouring can aerosolize high dust levels. Here are some better options:

Soaks – An oxalic acid or citric acid bath draws rust out safely over hours/days.
Gels/Pastes – Cling to surfaces better than sprays with less overspray.
Wet Sanding – Water lubrication suppresses airborne particles.
Electrolysis – Uses electrical current to lift rust sans friction.

I‘m a huge fan of electrolytic derusting methods – check my YouTube channel for tutorials! Ensures a smooth controlled process with no lung irritation.

So in summary – yes, don‘t dismiss rust dust as harmless even if working with beloved old gear. Take sensible precautions to avoid particle inhalation both now and for long term wellbeing!