$Unique_ID{BRK00939} $Pretitle{} $Title{Dangers of Ceramics Craft} $Subject{ceramics Accidents accident Poisonings breathe breathing lung lungs clay glazes pottery kiln gases alumina asbestos diatomaceous earth feldspar iron oxide kaolin air borne particles lead copper cobalt arsenic trioxide antimony oxide beryllium boric acid Central nervous system depression heavy metal poisoning carbon monoxide chlorine gas hydrochloric sulfur dioxide} $Volume{O-5} $Log{} Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc. Dangers of Ceramics Craft ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ QUESTION: They are about to offer a ceramics course at in our community center that my wife very much wishes to take. I know I have read about the dangers of getting near some of the materials they intend to use, and don't wish to expose my wife to them. Please tell her not to go. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ANSWER: That would be most undiplomatic on my part, but I will happily detail some of the dangers as well as precautions to take, and allow you and your wife to continue the discussion with the following material in hand. There are three major elements that pose a hazard to good health in ceramics. They are the clay components themselves, the glazes or materials used to color and decorate the pottery, and finally the gases that may be emitted when baking the work in a kiln. Some of the materials found in certain clays include alumina, asbestos (as a contaminant of talc used in preparing porcelain), diatomaceous earth (raw material for clay), feldspar, iron oxide and kaolin (raw material for china clay). The danger lies not in touching these materials, but from breathing small air-borne particles, which may provoke a variety of lung disease. Glazes contain a number of toxic chemicals including lead, copper, cobalt, arsenic trioxide, antimony oxide, beryllium, boric acid among others. Central nervous system depression, heavy metal poisoning and skin rashes are some of the possible results of prolonged and excessive exposure. Though no published reports exist about exposure to kiln produced gases, they do contain carbon monoxide, chlorine gas, hydrochloric acid vapor, sulfur dioxide and others, and in cases where there is a kiln malfunction, could be dangerous. However, a few simple precautions and many of these dangers are rapidly removed. The studio should be kept free of dust, and be well ventilated. Keep glazes and clays in slurry form when possible, rather than as dry powders. Glazes are best applied by dipping or brushing, rather than spraying. Protective clothing, gloves, aprons and overalls should always be worn, and careful personal hygiene with frequent hand washing is a must. No eating should be allowed in the studio, nor food storage. Just a bit of attention to these rules will certainly permit a danger-free experience in the pleasures of ceramics. ---------------- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical problem.