Silica poisoning happens when you get it into your lung's. This was a wide spread problem with air driven rig's in well drilling. The dust was not wet down and the driller's and helper's got this life threating medical problem and died. Yes you have to suit up. I bought the glass beads at harbor freight and it is still in the box. Had an uncle that worked in the neon sign trade and he died just from cutting the glass. They where not made to ware any breathing protection or had in closed air vacuum system. I used Aluminum Oxide. Wore hood and respirator also had fresh air moving in the booth from out side source. Russ.Russ, you have great talent. I can only do a few things exceptional but your on a roll. Be wary around Silica, stopped using in sandblasters as guess it’s cancer causing and that was maybe 20 years ago?