Originally Posted by
claritycycler
I've been to Death Valley more than a few times, never have seen (to my eye) soil/sand remotely resembling playa dust. I do know there is some nasty stuff in that dust (see below) but have no knowledge of anyone becoming ill from it nor do I know if there are any studies on detrimental long-term exposure. It is recommended to always carry a dust mask(mine is N95) in case there is a dust storm, relatively common, and you're out in it. Take shelter where you can and hunker down. Bad playa dust storms are known as "white outs"(think snow storms, or approaching dust walls armageddon in proportions as seen in movies), I've been in some where during the worst of it for short periods visibility was 15' max(not kidding), pretty friggin awful. Some days there are storms lasting for hours, not white outs, most burners don't leave their camps/shelters. For the large majority of time BM takes place it is calm and surrounding scenery spectacular, so far the positive experiences outweigh the negatives, I still return, choose your poison right?
FYI
The Black Rock Desert playa dust consists primarily of silica and organic materials. One soil analysis revealed the following composition:
Silicon dioxide (silica): 43.1%
Organic matter and loosely bound water: 25.4%
Aluminium oxide: 11.8%
Iron oxide: 5.32%
Calcium oxide (quick lime): 4.51%
Magnesium oxide (magnesia): 3.46
Potassium oxide: 2.82%
Sodium oxide: 2.29%
Titanium dioxide: 0.49%
Phosphorus pentoxide: 0.19%
Manganese oxide: 0.08%
From:
Toward a Silicate-Based Molecular Nanotechnology by Stephen L. Gillett
Dept. of Geological Sciences
Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada
Reno, Nevada 89557 USA