vince pitelka on mon 22 jul 02
> They fire to 018 to take the resulting silica dust out of the "danger
zone",
> i.e. unfired clay dust equals raw silca dust.
Jeff -
I am sure that your information about polishing porcelain dolls is accurate,
but the above is not. Firing the material does not take the silica dust out
of the danger zone. It is just as dangerous after it is fired. Silica dust
is silica dust. And it is also inaccurate to say that unfired clay dust
equals raw silica dust. Many clays contain very little free silica, and
healthy lungs can expel clay dust. Don't get me wrong - you should NEVER
breath ANY ceramic dust (or any other dust!), but it is important to point
out that the most dangerous dust is fine silica dust, and clay dust without
free silica present is fairly benign in comparison. But then, many clays DO
contain a fraction of free silica, so ALWAYS wear an approved dust mask.
Much better to always be safe.
Best wishes -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@worldnet.att.net
615/597-5376
Work - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 ext. 111, fax 615/597-6803
http://www.craftcenter.tntech.edu/
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