Monona Rossol on sun 4 aug 96
CANDLE HOLDER RECALLS.
Meg asked for further information about the candle recalls:
The only information I have is from the full CPSC press releases. The
potpourri heater was described as "5.5 inches high and 4.25 inches in
diameter" made of "white ceramic" and "decorated with various floral designs"
which "may contain hairline cracks that can cause the burner to fracture or
shatter while in use." That sounds sort of like slip cast whiteware or
porcelain. Since the item sold for $10, whiteware is more likely. The store
involved was Bath & Body Works, Inc so these were sold nationwide.
The other candle holder was described as: "two-ounce candles, measuring two
inches high, are potted in terra cotta clay flower pots or vases in a
small terra cotta tray." The store involved was IMSA International Inc of El
Paso, Texas. These were also sold nationwide, but I'm guessing that this is
a supplier to other distributors and the product is likely to be foreign
(Mexican probably).
If you need further information, CPSC's number is 800/863-2772. You also
can ask for copies of press releases #'s 96-148 and 96-158.
But any candle holder could be a problem. All it takes is one that doesn't
function right. I really don't know if a metal fitting is better or not. It
would expand more than the ceramic and transfer heat to the ceramic pretty
efficiently. Maybe ask a ceramic engineer for an opinion. I don't think
they are in the yellow pages, but I'd start looking in the nearest large
university.
I'd also incorporate the business and investigate the cost of liability
insurance. This is smart for any business. Murphy was an optimist.
CERAMIC FIBER
Meg also asked about "the safety of ceramic fiber used in insulating board as
well as the braided type of fiber which is sometimes use as a gasket around
the lid of an electric kiln."
The less fibers the material sheds, the less hazardous the product. If the
braided material is brittle and dusty from repeated firing, it is very
likely to be shedding everytime the door is opened. The shed stuff will
only be partly ceramic fiber. Firing will covert a percentage of it to
cristobalite. Neither dust is a day at the beach.
The insulating board has a binder in it, but it still sheds some. The older
the more it sheds.
Hope this helps.
Monona Rossol, industrial hygienist
Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety
181 Thompson St., # 23
NYC 10012-2586 212/777-0062
Cathy Nelson Hartman on mon 5 aug 96
I have been following your comments on the similarity of hazards with
asbestos and the ceramic fiber products. Since chemically, asbestos is a
silicate, I was wondering if it is your opinion that all the silicates
are going to eventually be considered hazardous like the recent
catagorization of silica as possible human carcinogen. Or is the critical
issue the particular form( fibrous structure ) of the chemical? That is,
its my understanding that talc and asbestos have the same chemical
formula but different physical form-asbestos being essentially the
fibrous form of talc. Or am I wrong?
But having brought up a possible can of worms with this inquiry since we
work with lots of silicates-especially CLAY, are you aware of any studies
indicating higher than normal occurrence of lung or stomach cancer in
potters?
Aren't you guys glad I wrote? :)
walter in Texas where everyone now carries a gun, but we really feel
safer????
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