Is chipped cast iron safe?I

[Abi15here]

I was visiting my aunt the other day and we got into a debate about her old Dutch oven
it has some crazing and a few tiny chips, and she’s convinced it’s ruined.
honestly, I don't get the fear. enamel is nontoxic, and even if it flakes, the metal underneath is just... cast iron

if people cook on raw iron all the time, what are we actually worried about here?
am I missing a huge safety concern, or is this just an aesthetic thing that people overthink?

 

[Alan]

It's more of physical injury and not chemical safety concern.
Enamel is glass so when it chips, it doesn't just flake off like seasoning on a skillet. It can splinter into microscopic, razor-sharp shards that you will ingest. If a chip happens while she is stirring a stew, that shard goes into the food and you won't see them. Swallowing sharp glass is dangerous for the esophagus and digestive tract. I hope that helps.