Respirators for Potters. Ceramic Studio Safety Respirators for Potters by Jeff Zamek When sweeping the studio, every potter at some point wonders, “What should I do to protect myself from the clay dust?”
Imagine what’s floating around in your studio when walking or sweeping up at the end of the day. On days when direct sunlight enters the studio, it’s possible to see raw materials and clay dust in the air; but it’s the stuff you can’t see that’s the problem. Clay is a very small hexagonal-plate-shaped particle material and can range from 100 microns (µ) to 0.1µ in size depending on the specific type of clay.
A safe and conservative approach goes a long way in protecting yourself from airborne particles-both visible and invisible. Respirator Filters Every respirator has some type of filter to trap particles. For many years, HEPA filters have been the standard for the industry. If It Fits ... When purchasing any respirator, look for the new NIOSH codes. Click here to leave a comment. Silicosis - Potter's Rot. Silicosis (particularly the acute form) is characterized by shortness of breath, cough, fever, and cyanosis (bluish skin).
It may often be misdiagnosed as pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs), pneumonia, or tuberculosis. The name silicosis (from the Latin silex, or flint) was originally used in 1870 by Achille Visconti (1836-1911), prosector in the Ospedale Maggiore of Milan.[3] The recognition of respiratory problems from breathing in dust dates to ancient Greeks and Romans.[4] Agricola, in the mid-16th century, wrote about lung problems from dust inhalation in miners. In 1713, Bernardino Ramazzini noted asthmatic symptoms and sand-like substances in the lungs of stone cutters. With industrialization, as opposed to hand tools, came increased production of dust. The pneumatic hammer drill was introduced in 1897 and sandblasting was introduced in about 1904,[5] both significantly contributing to the increased prevalence of silicosis. Classification[edit] Chronic simple silicosis.
Eye Protection. Studio Safety Eye Protection in the Pottery Studio by Jeff Zamek When working in the ceramics studio, there are situations where eye protection is needed.
While working with ceramic materials is not an inherently dangerous endeavor, using the proper safety equipment can help the potter easily avoid a few potentially hazardous situations. Fortunately, eye protection developed for use in several major manufacturing areas such as foundries, steel mills, glass production, metal fabrication and casting industries, is readily available to the studio potter.
Infrared/Ultraviolet Hazards In the past, glassblowers were subjected to infrared and ultraviolet light when looking into high-temperature molten glass tanks. Infrared and ultraviolet radiation are part of the electromagnetic spectrum with visible light being just one segment of the entire range. The cobalt-blue #5 lens is rated on a different scale and does not correspond to the green-shaded welding glasses #5. Resources. Chart: Health & Safety in the Arts: Ceramics.
Home Hazards in Ceramic. Lead poisoning from pottery glaze and paint NO form of lead or arsenic may be used in our materials without specific clearance and training from the instructor.
Lead is hazardous to breathe, to ingest (eat), and can be released from firing into the air. Finally, any container glazed with these materials may be toxic to eat or drink from because lead can leach into food or drink stored in the vessel. While new pottery sold today in the United States is generally assumed to be safe from lead, occasionally one still reads about cases of pottery that is accidentally sold with dangerous amounts of lead in the glaze.
Lead has many very serious effects if ingested. Lead can be absorbed from glazes by acidic food or drink. In paint, lead carbonate was formerly used for white. The following hazardous materials may be used with care and precautions. The court did not find legal proof of negligence on the part of the chemical suppliers. See:Alfred Franzblau, et.al. OUCH! I use a safety chain.