Soda blasting is a gentle alternative to media blasting. It uses regular baking soda and a vacuum syphon gun made from an air blaster and flexible tubing. Soda is very gentle on delicate surfaces like aluminum, so it's perfect for carburetors. Soda is also very cheap and available. This setup does not capture or recycle the soda.
Breathing
When you blast with ANY media, don't breathe the fumes.
Don't rely on those little paper masks either, they do nothing.
Use a decent respirator with filters. They're about $30 at Home Depot.
You'll look like a dork, but your airway and brain cells will thank you!
Seeing
If you value your eyes as much as your airway and brain cells, use eye protection too.
Media from blasting can bounce off parts and shoot back in your face.