Monona Rossol on fri 8 jan 99
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Date: Thu, 7 Jan 1999 09:26:17 EST
From: Allison Stelter
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Subject: ventilation paranoia
----------------------------Original message----------------------------
i just finished reading the clay times article about studio health &
safety, highlighting school systems. i teach ceramics all day...we sponge
each period & try to stay on top of the scraps by the trimming
wheels....dust does accumulate on the floor & trails out onto the gallery
floor. the floor is mopped each night. we don't have a ventilation
system, but i was recently told that 3
HEPA filters would be added to my room...when, ?... can i be sure that
i'm exposed to respirable silica every day? this is my 3rd year, i'm
27... how long can i expect to live? when it's nice (in seattle) we can
have windows & doors open -- it's quite wonderful _- but it's january &
it'll be a while before we can open up _________________________________
Allison J. Stelter
Hinkelman Sammamish High School Ceramics
Teacher 100 - 140th Avenue SE Fine Arts Dept
Chair Bellevue, WA 98005 voice 425.456.7626
fax 425.456.7722 steltera@belnet.bellevue.k12.wa.us
http://oasis.bellevue.k12.wa.us/sammamish
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It breaks my heart that you have to ask these questions. Schools that
educate pottery teachers are remiss if they do not teach all about silicosis,
the hazards of other ceramic materials, and ventilation principles.
Regarding "how long can i expect to live?" Most people with moderate
silica exposure like potters live quite well most of their lives. It is only
in later years that the quality of life is impaired by shortness of breath
and lung problems. Some potters may increase their risk of cancer by
exposure to some of metals like chrome, nickel, cadmium, etc., or develop
neurological problems from lead, manganese, etc.
I am also concerned that your school's answer to the dust problem is to add
3 HEPA filters to the room. They probably mean the units that are hung near
the ceiling and recirculate the air. If these create air currents, they can
make the situation worse by stirring up more dust than they collect.
Control of dust is best accomplished by keeping the room looking like a
nuclear lab--with clean floors and surfaces. Ventilation is equally
important, but it should be a system that brings in clean fresh air and
exhausts dusty air--not recirculating dusty air through filters and returning
the same air to the room. Local ventilation systems also are needed for clay
mixing, glaze spraying, etc. In certain cases, the local systems can be
used for general room exhaust.
Regarding how long you have to wait for your ventilation: A responsible
school doesn't start teaching until it is up and running. There is not thing
you can teach that is worth putting students at risk. And the danger to
students will be greatly increased if you are a good and exciting teacher.
If you are, students may choose pottery as a career and continue to work on
their own under conditions similar to those in the school.
Monona Rossol
ACTS
181 Thompson St., # 23
New York NY 10012-2586 212/777-0062
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