!!this has been in my drafts for about a year, i fully forgot about this until i had to write about lithium for my class..even if its unfinished i figured id send it out into the world and help people realize a bit on what redstone would be like lol
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Due to popular demand! ("popular")
PPE Basics for Redstone!
(and uh, everything else I guess)
(Personal Protective Equipment)
Now, depending on how you personally imagine Redstone and how it would work in a real life setting there would be different types of PPE for each idea.
In this I'll try and break down the different ways I've seen Redstone portrayed in fan-media to try and give a more realistic view on how it would be safely used and why..
Redstone to Real Life Mineral Comparison
Over the years Minecraft fans have tried to compare Redstone to real life materials, the most common comparison being Copper.
But due to a recent update (1.17) Mojang has added the once example to the game, now voiding it's status in this list as a "irl Redstone".
Quarts is another example of something that could be classified as an "irl Redstone" with it being a natural, minable material, that releases an electric charge (when mechanically compressed [piezoelectric effect]) ((and comes in the colour red!))
But due to Minecraft already having Nether Quarts established in game with it's direct Redstone uses and real life comparisons,
-Redstone Comparators being similar to Electrical Relays
-Redstone Repeaters being similar to an Electrical Fuse
(I can go into Electrical to Minecraft stuff if someone wants, but it wont be as detailed)
I don't want to complicate things even farther by trying to theorize an "Overworld Quarts", so Quarts has also been removed.
The final comparison I have for Redstone to Real Life Minerals is Lithium.
Lithium, although not a dust in its natural state nor a natural generator (like a Redstone block), I believe is one of the closest "irl Redstone" comparisons.
The most common way to harvest Lithium is through Brine Mining, where underground reserves are filled with commercial brine (surface water or groundwater), then pumped to the surface to evaporate evenly across huge pools.
When the brine is fully evaporated it leaves behind a powered mix of salts and minerals, that contains a high percentage of Lithium, that then get processed into Lithium Carbonate (Li2CO3)*.
Lithium Carbonate (Li2C03)* isn't pure lithium, so it isn't a 100% representation of a conductive material until its refined..but that's a whole other thing and for the sake of Redstone comparison I'm going to treat lithium carbonate's technical "Redstone use" as if we were using refined powered lithium..Okay? okay.
If Redstone was a real mineral, I believe it would be harvested in the same way.
With Redstone Ore shattering into Redstone Dust once mined, it would make zero sense to mine it traditionally when you could harvest it through Brine Mining.
The amount of Redstone mined for "professional level" (commercial?) use would be so large it would only make sense to farm it in the exact same way as Lithium to minimize the potential loss.
With Redstone (dust) breaking when it comes in contact with water we can only assume they don't normally mix, but potions challenge that with the existence of Mundane Potions.
We can assume Redstone only emulsifies completely in warm water, backing that idea that with Brewing Stands needing Blaze Rods to be crafted, implying that all potions would be warm when freshly brewed.
(the term "brewed" directly meaning to steep, boil or infuse in hot water)
Lithium is used medically as well as mechanically just like Redstone's "medical" use in potions and it's literal use in Redstone.
(medically Li2CO3* pls don't eat lithium)
Lithium powder is the closest thing we have toxic natural mineral that can conduct electricity and can be consumed in small amounts when needed, just like Redstone and how it too is a "natural" mineral that can conduct "electricity" and be "consumed" in small amounts (potions).
As a final point, Lithium burns red.
Breakdown on Redstone's Toxicity
Redstone is a dust you obtain from breaking a solid block of Redstone Ore, so easy to immediately assume its an airborne toxin of some level;
Until the dust is compressed into it's "purest form", a Redstone block, then it would turn into a skin toxin (local reaction/systemic poisoning by contact with the skin.).
Imagining that Redstone is a toxic material until mixed with water for potions, we can assume also it’s toxic until heated and emulsified into a Mundane potion (then again it would only be small amounts mixed into potions)
(Mundane Potion = Redstone + Water Bottle)
Mundane potions have no effect on a player, so that supports the idea that once heat treated then emulsified, Redstone has no toxic effects.
(another fun reason on possibly why Redstone can't get wet without breaking in game?)
Redstone is used to make potions have a longer duration, not increase it's strength.
So we can only assume it would cause other effects to last longer on a player once a certain amount of Redstone is absorbed either by
1. Dermal Absorption/Injection (prolonged skin exposure/under through the skin [skin toxin])
2. Inhalation (breathing it in)
3. Ingestion (getting into body by mouth)
Each type of Redstone exposure would directly corollate to the types of injuries/illnesses caused by prolonged exposure, in this case, "professional level" use (i.e. [in Hermitcraft] Ethoslab, Docm77, Mumbo Jumbo, Tangotek, ect.).
Traditionally, Redstone is a fine powder that you meticulously place by hand then power with a source.
Redstone use at a "professional level" with no PPE for long periods of time unnecessary exposes the user to the risk of;
(continuing off the idea that Redstone=Lithium/Electrical stystems)
Contact Dermatitis: After a single exposure or after repeated exposures over time
Black Lung*: inhaling Redstone dust over a long period of time
(coal workers' pneumoconiosis* is caused by coal but in this case it's Redstone.)
Electric Shock: a non-fatal electrical injury caused by <40 milliamps
Electrocution: a fatal electrical injury caused by >50 milliamps
Electrical burns: Coming in contact with wiring or equipment that is energized
Muscle Spasms: Loss of muscle control after being stimulated by electricity (redstone)
Organ Failure: Inhalation, Injection, Prolonged Skin Exposure
Hypothyroidism: weakened immune system
Professional-Level Redstone PPE
(Personal Protective Equipment)
With all of the information listed above, we can now dive into the ways that Redstone would be used and the types of PPE that would be required to use it at a professional level.
(The idea of how Redstone would works changes depending on who you ask, so I will try my best to cover what I've seen within fandom spaces.)
Traditionally, Redstone is a fine powder that you meticulously place by hand then power with a source.
Placing Redstone with your bare hand would immediately be way to much contact and unnecessary risk the user of Dermal Absorption/Injection and Electrocution.
redstone emmits light, not a toxin but a conern for eyes
welding type? oxy type? glass worker type?
airborn oxigyen toxin
respaarator welding type paint type?
coats? paint type? wleding type?
heat? redstone make heat when bright???? welding type???
gloves, would need to be thin to use redstone, most would forgo, welding type?
redstone=hand welding??????
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