Description
Sand, metal grit, and shot are the most commonly used abrasives in sandblasting. Ground organic materials (corn, oat, and fruit pits) as well as baking soda, glass beads, and plastic chips are used for light cleaning jobs. Sand has been banned for abrasive blasting in the European Community. Chromium, nickel, beryllium, cadmium, lead, or mercury exposure may occur in blasting operations of alloys or paints containing these metals. [Burgess, p. 35-48]