Is tourmaline safe?

[Feu]

I've just moved, and a friend of mine who needed to get out of her situation came with me and is staying with me until she can get her feet under her. She is much more beauty-oriented than I am and uses a hair curler regularly. It's made of tourmaline, which is apparently a ceramic/precious stone based none stick coating. I've heard that some ceramic coatings have been deemed safe for birds (yay!), but is this one of them? I keep having to make sure she closes her door and opens her window - Huginn's on the other side of the apartment, but I'd still like to be careful.

 

[Dinosrawr]

I'm afraid without the brand name I can't be of much help if the one you have specifically is safe. But, from what I have found, Tourmaline emits ozone when heated, which is incredibly hazardous to birds. I would go with your choice to have her close the door and open the window until the curler has cooled.

 

[Phlox]

Never even occurred to me to be worried, but I have a tourmaline hair straightener. I don't use it often, but anecdotally my birds are fine?

Tourmaline is a stone. I have to doubt it gives off fumes. They claim it has negative ions (not ozone) but I really think that's just marketing. It's just makes a really hard smooth surface, since its a stone.

 

[Dinosrawr]

This is what I based it off of:

"Tourmaline and TCI styling iron benefits:

- Tourmaline emits high levels of negative ions generating ozone and far infrared rays.
- Helps prevent hair damage and seals the cuticle locking in moisture and natural oils.
- Makes shiny and healthy hair and reduces static electricity.
- TCI straighteners can produce significantly more negative ions than ordinary irons
- Heat penetrates deeply, thus minimizing cuticle damage and giving long lasting results and amazing shine."

If it's simply a negative ionizer, then it's safe. But, if it's an ionizer, then you run the risk of ozone being released from what I've found. I'd have to look further and do more actual research on which ions are released.

Just a quick edit - I have a Chi straightener that I've used for over 5 years. I use it in my bathroom, which isn't too far from the birds. I never heat it beyond 300 degrees F, but I've never once had an issue with the birds. So I can't imagine they'd be terribly dangerous.

 

[GW.Joe]

Tourmaline emits high levels of negative ions generating ozone and far infrared rays

From what I understand (I may take some heat for this ) There is no scientific proof that MOST "stones" do the things that people selling them say...

I LOVE Amethyst, and have it everywhere in my home, BUT not for the magical things they say it does

"If" the Tourmaline makes any "real" negative ions it would be VERY limited, VERY localized, and quickly gone, attached to the abundant positive ions in the air around you

To create any "large" amounts of negative ions requires a Real Ion Generator (anything from a small counter-top device, to a GIANT machine used to remove the smell from a house fire)

"Some" negative ions are supposed to be good for you BUT running a "air cleaner" in your home that constantly creates negative ions can be too much and be bad for your health

For that reason I recommend most people not use those kind of "air cleaners" in their home

As far as infrared rays, "If" the Tourmaline is somehow making infrared rays (basically invisible light energy that can burn you like a LASER)
The rays would be right at the hair straightener, it would take a TON of electric power to even push them out 10 feet

So in summation LOL I think you would have to actually use the tourmaline hair straightener ON THE BIRD to hurt him