Is glass blowing bad for your lungs?

The raw materials used to make glass, especially silica, could accumulate in the lungs, severely reducing their ability to enrich blood with oxygen. The lungs are not able to absorb or expel silica, resulting in scarring and fibrosis. ... The act of blowing glass does not lead to respiratory problems.

Why does a glassblower use a pipe?

Blowpipes in glassblowing

Glassblowing blowpipes are long enough to keep the gather of molten glass at a safe distance from the glassblower and rigid enough to support the weight of the glass when the pipe is held horizontally.