Is rust harmful to babies?

Question

Can rust be harmful to babies? The crib that I used for my oldest son has some rust on it. Can I still use it for my baby if I can't get all of the rust off? Also how would I get all of the rust off of the small pieces of metal?

Answer 1

If you can't get the rust off i would purchase a new crib, you can never be too careful with babies.

Answer 2

You're probably just being paranoid. First, are the rusty parts reachable from inside the crib? Second, use some sand paper or steel wool to remove the rust and then paint over it with non-toxic paint. Third, even if the child chews on the rusty parts, there is no risk from ingesting small quantities of iron oxide (rust). If there is LOTS of rust, and the child could breathe it in (aspirate), then there is potential for pneumonia or lung infection. I wouldn't worry too much about getting ALL the rust off, kids are remarkably resilient creatures. Clean it well, though, the greatest risk is probably from microorganisms on the surface. My two are fine.

Answer 3

Just get a new crib or replace the rusted parts. Some cribs are like $150..they're not that expensive.

Answer 4

Try to remove all the rust as much as possible, why don't you try to paint the metal parts in a safe non toxic paint, rust could be harmful and can stain bedcovers and clothes.

Answer 5

Call the crib manufator and see if they can give you some replacement parts. I don't know the your situation, but I think I would replace the crib. Its better to be safe then sorry.

Answer 6

i don't think it is a good idea if you cant get all the rust off.

Answer 7

Rust is harmful to every human, baby or not; Rust is the substance formed when iron compounds corrode in the presence of oxygen and water. It is a mixture of iron oxides and hydroxides. Rusting is a common term for corrosion, and usually corrosion of steel.

Iron is found naturally in the ore haematite as iron oxide, and metallic iron tends to return to a similar state when exposed to air, (hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.) and water. This corrosion is due to the oxidation reaction when iron metal returns to an energetically favourable state. Energy is given off when rust forms. The process of rusting can be summarized as three basic stages: The formation of iron(II) ions from the metal; the formation of hydroxide ions; and their reaction together, with the addition of oxygen, to create rust.

Iron is the main component of steel and the corrosion of steel is observed more frequently, since iron is rarely used without alloying in the present day.

Hydrated iron oxide is permeable to air and water, allowing the metal to continue to corrode - internally - even after a surface layer of rust has formed. Given sufficient hydration, the iron mass can eventually convert entirely to rust and disintegrate. Corrosion of aluminium is different from steel or iron, in that aluminium oxide formed on the surface of aluminium metal forms a protective, corrosion resistant coating, a process known as passivation. Stainless steel similarly resists rusting by forming a passivation layer of chromium(III) oxide. This is also true of magnesium, copper and zinc.

Galvanization consists of coating metal with a thin layer of another such metal. Typically, zinc is applied by either hot-dip galvanizing or electroplating. Zinc is traditionally used because it is cheap, easy to refine and adheres well to steel. Zinc also provides cathodic protection to metal that itself is unplated, but close enough that any water touching bare iron is also in contact with some zinc. The zinc layer acts as a galvanic anode rusting in preference. Galvanization often fails at seams, holes and joints, where the coating is pierced. More modern coatings add aluminium to the coating as zinc-alume, aluminium will migrate to cover scratches and thus provide protection for longer. These rely on the aluminium and zinc oxides protecting the once-scratched surface rather than oxiding as a sacrificial anode.

There are several other methods available to control corrosion and prevent the formation of rust, colloquially termed rustproofing. Cathodic protection makes the iron a cathode in a battery formed whenever water contacts the iron and also a sacrificial anode made from something with a more negative electrode potential, commonly zinc or magnesium. The electrode itself doesn't react in water, but only to provide electrons to prevent the iron rusting.

Bluing is a technique that can provide limited resistance to rusting for small steel items, such as firearms; for it to be successful, water-displacing oil must always be rubbed onto the blued steel.

Corrosion control can be done using a coating to isolate the metal from the environment, such as paint. Large structures with enclosed box sections, such as ships and modern automobiles, often have a wax-based product (technically a slushing oil) injected into these sections. This may contain rust inhibiting chemicals as well as forming a barrier. Covering steel with concrete provides protection to steel by the high pH environment at the steel-concrete interface. However, if concrete covered steel does corrode, the rust formed can cause the concrete to spall and fall apart. This creates structural problems.

To prevent rust corrosion on automobiles, they should be kept cleaned and waxed. The underbody should be sprayed to make sure it is free of dirt and debris that could trap moisture. After a car is washed, it is best to let it sit in the sun for a few hours to let it air dry. In winter, or in salty conditions, cars should be washed more regularly as salt (sodium chloride) can accelerate the rusting process.

you can remove rust by putting the rusty thing in a jar full of concentrated lemon juice plus 3 spoons full of salt for 24 hours and then wash it with water and soap.