LOL.. yea, im alive today. no ill effects. and no, i didnt wear gloves. I peeled them back with the knife point and then just sorta broke them apart with my hand. then took theentire chunk out of the tank and cut it in half with the knife on a cutting board. yes, I did close my eyes and turn my head away (like the welders do when they dont wear a mask). no ill effects and no issues whatsoever. both frags were opening up this morning when I checked on them before leaving for work.