Caroline and Hedley Saunders on thu 1 oct 98
Is there a health risk attached to using silica sand or are the particles
sufficiently large not to pose a threat?
David Hewitt wrote:
May I suggest that you just use Alumina Hydrate or Silca Sand. Just
sprinkle thinly on the kiln bats. It is easier and cleaner than kiln
wash.
Caroline
Xdelphin@eclipse.co.uk
Remove the X from the address (there to keep spam spiders at bay)
Gavin Stairs on fri 2 oct 98
At 10:07 AM 10/1/98 EDT, Caroline wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Is there a health risk attached to using silica sand or are the particles
>sufficiently large not to pose a threat?
Hi Caroline,
It depends what you do to (with) it. If you use it as an abrasive, or in
any way make aerosol dust, then you're better off considering it a risk.
Also, if you find that it is dusty, or if you have milled silica, there's
likely to be some aerosol dust in it, and you might consider washing it
before using it as a dusting medium for glaze release.
However. I have to point out that silica is one of the most common
materials in our environment. When you go to the beach, chances are that
you are walking, running, lying, rolling, being buried in -- silica sand.
There is bound to be a certain amount of free silica in the air above a
beach. We don't stay away on that account. We in clay are at risk mainly
from our continual exposure to fine free-silica dust from fine glaze
materials and from clay dust. The cases of silicosis that I know of have
been from prolonged, unprotected exposure to such dusts by workers
preparing materials, like clay bodies, in large amounts. (Mostly
complicated by smoking cigarettes, by the way.) Wholesalers and clay
manufacturers. Miners are also at risk, because they are cutting rock in
confined spaces. And foundry workers and other industrial workers who work
in heavy dusts. Prudence in protecting yourself and avoiding exposure will
remove you from this class of heavily exposed, at risk workers. So keep
your work area clean by damp mopping or vacuuming (vented outdoors, or HEPA
filtered), and wear a dust mask with an approved dust filter when you are
mixing or pouring dry materials of any sort, don't beat the clay dust out
of your clothes; wash it out, and you will avoid virtually all risk of this
disease. Play it safe, but don't get paranoid. The world and everything
in it is not out to get you: Just don't sit on the stove when it's hot.
Gavin
Gavin Stairs
Stairs Small Systems (S3)
921 College St., # 1-A
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M6H 1A1
(416)530-0419 stairs@stairs.on.ca
Stephen Mills on sat 3 oct 98
We use fine Molochite (Calcined China Clay/Kaolin) on our Kiln batts,
and sieve and re-use again & again & again.
Steve
Bath
UK
In message , Caroline and Hedley Saunders writes
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Is there a health risk attached to using silica sand or are the particles
>sufficiently large not to pose a threat?
>
>David Hewitt wrote:
>
>May I suggest that you just use Alumina Hydrate or Silca Sand. Just
>sprinkle thinly on the kiln bats. It is easier and cleaner than kiln
>wash.
>
>Caroline
>Xdelphin@eclipse.co.uk
>Remove the X from the address (there to keep spam spiders at bay)
>
--
Steve Mills
Bath
UK
home e-mail: stevemills@mudslinger.demon.co.uk
work e-mail: stevemills@bathpotters.demon.co.uk
own website: http://www.mudslinger.demon.co.uk
BPS website: http://www.bathpotters.demon.co.uk
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