Question:

What Precautions when using dry ingredients?

Cadmium

Cadmium
Used as a pigment in glazes. Can cause respiratory
diseases, osteoporosis, cancer and other problems.
For more information, see Article on Cadmium!

Silica

Silica
is ever present in clay materials. Repeated inhalation will cause potentially fatal silicosis, or 'potters' asthma', a form emphysema. The molecule (especially when fired) has a 'hook' which attaches itself to the lung wall and accumulates and irritates.

The Cheap Method

The following is a minimally dusty method to recycle clay trimmings and other clay scrap. (This does not mean that you can skimp on safety devices, put that mask back on!) While your clay scrap is still moist, roll it into thumb thickness coils and place it on a tray to dry. Remove the tray from your studio area (like a garage), or place it in an area that has very little air movement. The key is not to create an exposure to the finest clay dusts - they are the ones most readily moved into room air and these dusts are the most hazardous to your lungs. Read On: Clay Recycling D.I.Y. = The Cheap Method

Gum Arabic

Gum Arabic
may cause asthma and eye inflammations.

Kaolin also see silica

Kaolin
similar to silica.

Asbestos

Asbestos: causes particularly nasty fibrosis if inhaled.

Iron Chromate

Iron Chromate
May lead to acute pneumonia and cause lung cancer.

Using dry ingredients

Make sure you wear a good dust mask when working with dry ingredients. Clay dust from greenware or from glaze components can get into the lungs and over the years cause emphysema. Whenever possible, wet mop your working area; never sweep with a broom, as this throws dust up into the air, which you might breath in.

Handling dry ingredients

Dealing with raw materials
Once measured out, powdered materials should be made into slop form immediately.

Iron Oxide Dust

Iron Oxide Dust
is poisonous for children and can cause "iron
pigmentation" of the lungs, supposedly benign but
contentious.

A Disclaimer

Disclaimer: It is the responsibility of anybody using these glaze recipes to be informed of glaze dangers and to ensure the proper safety precautions are met when mixing and using glazes. In general glaze components marked 'toxic!' should not be used for tableware. Other, not marked ingredients may be harmful to health on skin contact or if ingested. Frits may contain Lead Bisilicate. General safety precautions for ceramic materials apply. Contact a supplier, lecturer or professional if in doubt. Neither Lifetips nor its Ceramic Guru, Jan will bear any responsibility for incorrectly used glazes and/or ingredients, nor for any damages due to unexpected glaze results. All glazes should be tested before use.

Uranium Compounds

Uranium Compounds
cause kidney damage, not to mention the radioactivity.

Cobalt

Cobalt Oxide,Carbonate
can cause liver damage and dermatitis. Will enter the
body through the skin.

Selenium

Selenium
affects the liver.

Lead

Lead is an accumulative poison. It can be stored in the bone structure for years before a fatal dose is accumulated. Beware of raw lead forms, such as white or yellow lead, which are extremely toxic. Use lead frits instead. Do not use for tableware.
For more information on the effects of lead, Please see Article: "Lead"

A Disclaimer

Disclaimer: It is the responsibility of anybody using these glaze recipes to be informed of glaze dangers and to ensure the proper safety precautions are met when mixing and using glazes. In general glaze components marked 'toxic!' should not be used for tableware. Other, not marked ingredients may be harmful to health on skin contact or if ingested. Frits may contain Lead Bisilicate. General safety precautions for ceramic materials apply. Contact a supplier, lecturer or professional if in doubt. Neither Lifetips nor its Ceramic Guru, Jan will bear any responsibility for incorrectly used glazes and/or ingredients, nor for any damages due to unexpected glaze results. All glazes should be tested before use.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon Dioxide
If the oxygen level falls, hearing will decrease, pulse and blood pressure rise. Carbon dioxide forms during combustion firing processes.

Alumina dust

Alumina dust is a nuisance to lungs, wear a mask.

Chromates

Chromates and Chromic Acid
may be cancerous. Will also enter the body through
the skin.
For more information on chrome and its effects, please see Articles: Chromium for Potters!

Borax

Borax
chronic exposure can cause asthma, diarrhea and skin
conditions.

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Guru Spotlight
George Sayour