Monona Rossol on mon 16 sep 96
URANIUM.
Char Raddatz gave a good explanation of the behavior of various
uranium emissions, but missed some major points about exposure.
1) the powdered uranium oxide can be inhaled while its being mixed
into the glaze, being swept up from the floor, etc. This puts
the material in direct contact with lung tissue. Often people
who are not industrial hygienists or familiar with air sampling
results don't appreciate how much material gets airborne during
glazing, cleaning up, and other pottery processes.
2) Unlike the big chunks of glass resulting from vitrification
methods used to dispose of radioactive substances, craft glazes
have more surface area available and often are far more soluble.
We see large amounts of metals leaching from some glazes on
standard FDA leaching tests. Exposure to uranium from glaze
leaching, however, would be more hazardous from uranium's toxic
effects than from radiation.
3) Rather than reducing concern, the figures on background
radiation Char gave for various parts of the country are reasons
to avoid additional sources of radiation.
LITHIUM GLAZES
Lithium is not as toxic as barium or boron by ingestion, but it is
a risk for the millions of people who are already taking lithium
for manic depression. They can't afford additional lithium in
their diet.
I repeat: we owe our customers occasional glaze testing.
GONE FISSION?
I'll be OSHA training and inspecting at the San Francisco Art Institute the
17th- 19th and will not be picking up my messages. I'll be lurking again
this Friday. Be well all.
Monona Rossol, industrial hygienist
Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety
181 Thompson St., # 23
New York, NY 10012-2586 212/777-0062
Charles Williams on mon 16 sep 96
Dear Monona,
If you would be so kind, please provide information on testing glazed pieces
for leaching. I no longer use Barium Carbonate or Lead, but I use Lithium
and, rarely, Vanadium. I would like to know how the test are performed, how
much each costs, where they are performed and if there are kits for other
than Lead.
Thanks,
CW @ Mississippi Mudcat Pottery, where the temperature is 92
and the
humidity is 99%.
James Dapogny on tue 17 sep 96
>I repeat: we owe our customers occasional glaze testing.
Tiresome for you to be asked and re-asked, but once again how do you test?
Gail Dapogny in Ann Arbor
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