James Blossom on wed 29 sep 99
Hi All.
This is for Monona, and all others worried with safety, and the effect of
our avocation/vocation on our health. It has occurred to me that the
members of the clayart discussion list consist of a statistically valid
sample of potters as a whole. We are international, professional, amateur,
full time, part time, old, and young. Why not a simple questionnaire-based
study on our health? It could not be double-blind, but it *should* result
in a valid paper about the health effects of potting, as well as providing
the list members with some useful data. What are the major health risks of
our occupation? Do we suffer more carpal tunnel syndrome, cancer, etc.? Do
we as a group live longer or shorter than the population as a whole? I
would personally participate by providing health/ lifestyle information for
the statistician. Would enough others do the same? All that is required is
a baseline questionnaire, and somebody to compose the questions and compile
the results. To be most useful, these must be further broken down by
category and tracked with new surveys over time, yet it seems useful, and an
opportunity for anyone seeking a research tack.
Mike Blossom
Sleeping Dog Designs
Albuquerque, NM
"The supreme misfortune occurs when theory outstrips performance"
-- Leonardo Da
Vinci
-----Original Message-----
From: Monona Rossol <75054.2542@compuserve.com>
To: CLAYART@LSV.UKY.EDU
Date: Tuesday, September 28, 1999 7:53 AM
Subject: Re: WAX
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>
>
>
>
>> Ho Say Leong wrote:
>>
>> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>> Hi, this is the first time I join ClayArt.
>> I read the paperclay articles and found out that burning paper will
>> harm the elements in an electric kiln, I wonder if wax will do so ?
>> I am using wax risist bought from my supplier and also melted candles.
>>
>> W.S.Fong from Malaysia
>_______________________________________________________
>
>Sorry for such a long delay in answering, but I've been out of town. I saw
>some of the answers you got and they were confusing. Some said "fire away"
>and others said "the wax fumes are toxic."
>
>They are both right: As far as the kiln is concerned: fire away. It wont
>hurt the elements very much at all.
>
>But don't breathe the odors that come off the kiln. Some of the chemicals
>commonly seen from burning wax in a kiln are acrolein, formaldehyde and
other
>aldehydes, carbon monoxide, and more. Some of these are toxic in various
>ways and some are associated with causing cancer.
>
>But many of these substances come off in lesser amounts even when you don't
>fire wax. Toxic chemicals are emitted at all stages during firing from
both
>clays, glazes, and from the paper in your paper clay. The important thing
>is to have good kiln ventilation always. Then it doesn't matter much what
>you fire.
>
>ANd the wax is a good test. If you can smell the wax burning, it is time
>to figure out a way to get better ventilation. I hope this helps.
>
>
>Monona Rossol
>Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety
>181 Thompson St., # 23
>NYC NY 10012-2586 212/777-0062
| |
|
