Fibracells healthy?

[Goose]

Hi,

I´m just wondering if those fibracell reeds could cause any health problems. I noticed they are loosing tiny fibers while playing and I´m not sure, if I really want to have that stuff in my mouth. Does anyone ever think about this? Does anyone know if there was some kind of health test for the material used in the fibracells?

By the way: Do you store fibracells in the little box that comes with them or do you use a reedguard? Do they have to be treated as carefully in the first playing sessions as normal reeds?

[Hurling Frootmig]

I suppose that if you were alergic to kevlar or the bonding material that is used for them you might have issues. Fibracell uses a closed cell design so they shouldn't be able to harbor nasty bacteria and can be easily rinsed off after use.

I leave mine in the case that they come in as I find it's as easy as anything else.

[Thudmother]

I've been eating Kevlar every day for years. (ha ha ha)

but seriously, I would like to know if there are any health risks as well. I'm sure it's not a good thing to be swallowing composite material, or to have any tiny fibers get lodged in your mouth somewhere and then end up with an abscess or tumor. We might need to get the word from Fibracell on any health risks, or if they have done any testing.

[MM]

Sometimes the edges a Fibracell are sharp and cut my lip. Watch out for that.

[freeflier]

Small fibers can be problematic if dry and inhaled, but they also have to be just the right size to get deep enough into your lungs to cause damage - too big and they don't get deep enough, too small and they don't get stuck in the lungs. Asbestos fibers happen to be just the right size, but are still harmless if wet. Any fibers that come off a reed are going to be wet and at worst swallowed. Your intestinal tract is a lot better equipped to handle odd foreign objects than your lungs are, so I wouldn't worry about it. Unless you're the type of person who doesn't drive or cross streets for fear of bing hit by a car... in which case, go ahead and worry.

[Sigmund451]

Kevlar Diet = bullet proof :twisted::twisted:

[Dr_sax]

I´m am allergic to lots of stuff. There seems to be something I can´t take in the fibracells. After playing them my tongue gets swollen, hurts badly and I can´t play for 2 days. It was the same with the old fiberreeds years ago. They sounded great on bari but I instead went to plasticover. They don´t give me a reaction.