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sulphur dioxide was: galena glaze firing

updated tue 17 jun 03

 

Burness Speakman on tue 10 jun 03


"Fossil fuels are the main producer of sulphur dioxide and it is
the resultant acidic pollution which can be transported by wind over many
hundreds of miles which is deposited as acid rain."

Considering that automobiles use Fossil fuels and so too Air Planes, I
wonder just what those horizon to horizon trails are, that are being
emmited out of the back ends of high flying jets all over America. If you
think that I think it is water, I have a bridge I want to sell you. I doubt
seriously that the Jets or even little air planes like Cherokees and Cessnas
Have the "smog" controls imposed upon them that automobile drivers do. I
for one would like to see this imposed upon them also. Including military
jets.

Hendrix, Taylor J. on tue 10 jun 03


Burnes,

What kind of bridge? How long is it, and will you pay shipping?

Taylor, in Waco

-----Original Message-----
From: Burness Speakman [mailto:ridgerunrbunny@YAHOO.COM]=20
Sent: Tuesday, June 10, 2003 7:22 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: Re: Sulphur dioxide was: Galena glaze firing

...

Considering that automobiles use Fossil fuels and so too Air Planes, I
wonder just what those horizon to horizon trails are, that are being
emmited out of the back ends of high flying jets all over America. If
you
think that I think it is water, I have a bridge I want to sell you.=20

...

Janet Kaiser on tue 10 jun 03


I have received a couple of posts asking why sulphur dioxide (SO2) should
cause so much concern, so I am answering on-list for the sake of complete
thoroughness in this discussion.

Briefly, SO2 is an acid gas. It affects the lining of the nose, throat,
airways and lungs. The major health concerns associated with exposure to
high* concentrations of sulphur dioxide include effects on breathing,
respiratory illness, alterations in pulmonary defenses and aggravation of
existing cardiovascular disease. (*see below for more)

This is not surprising, because sulphur dioxide mixes with water vapour in
the atmosphere, producing sulphuric acid. Besides being a bi-product of
firing Galena, sulphur dioxide is produced by volcanoes and other man-made
sources. Fossil fuels are the main producer of sulphur dioxide and it is
the resultant acidic pollution which can be transported by wind over many
hundreds of miles which is deposited as acid rain.

*What are considered "high concentrations"? As I was not sure of the
figures myself, I did a quick google and found the following on the
internet by W. Harrison & J.A. Vale, Centre for Chemical Incidents, West
Midlands Poisons Unit City Hospital NHS Trust, Birmingham B18 7QH, UK

"Clinical features and management following acute exposure to high
concentrations of SO2: Following exposure to 5 ppm sulphur dioxide, dryness
of the nose and throat and a measurable increase in the resistance to
bronchial air flow is observed; a decrease in tidal volume occurs at 6-8
ppm. Lacrimation, rhinorrhoea, cough, increased bronchial secretions and
bronchoconstriction occur at concentrations exceeding 10-50 ppm. In more
severe cases, non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and respiratory arrest may
supervene. 400-500 ppm is considered to be an immediate danger to life and
1000 ppm can lead to death within 10 min. Corneal and dermal burns can
follow exposure to liquified sulphur dioxide. Survivors of massive sulphur
dioxide exposure have shown a chronic obstructive defect in serial
pulmonary studies along with bronchial hyperreactivity."

For those who cast me as anything from a ceramic witch hunter to a
self-appointed pottery policeman for raising the issue, they need to
rethink their personal relationship towards the health & safety of others,
however unconcerned they are about their own. Those who have flounced off
in a huff and will continue what they want to do, saying "no damned Clayart
busybody will tell me what I can or cannot do!" are naturally completely
responsible for their own conduct. Feel free! I wouldn't want to stop
anyone doing their own thing!!

What I find quite reprehensible, is denying others information and
knowledge, especially at a time when the use of Galena is being seriously
discussed. If you cannot imagine what emissions from Galena would do in an
enclosed environment (especially a humid atmosphere such as a kitchen or
those working in naturally humid climates) yet think I am wrong to point
out the obvious implications to a group of potters (some of whom are not
conversant with "the science"), I can only say you are being extremely
childish and utterly selfish. You may not care for your own or anyone
else's health and well being, but I for one do! It is in the interest of
everyone to know what hazards exist, so they can act as responsibly or as
irresponsibly as they choose....

Yes, what they do with that information is naturally up to them. Just as I
know damned well exactly what my smoking may or may not do to my health,
yet perversely still insist on hammering 20 nails per a day into my own
coffin. One third of the surface area of every packet has encouraging
messages like: "Smoking seriously harms you and others around you" and
"Smoking kills" printed (by law in the UK) for me to read each time I light
up... There happens to be no such useful information on the nearest glaze
bucket!! Yes, unfortunately I have an addiction to a naturally occurring
vegetable substance and perversely continue my bad ways, but thankfully I
have never yet felt any inclination to try snorting acid nor felt the urge
to try inhalators which contain sulphuric acid! Not for kicks or in some
misguided idea that nobody is going to stop me doing what I want to do!

Sincerely

Janet Kaiser - As for knicker elastic, Bob, on two separate occasions I
found the most ladylike thing to do was just step straight out, over and
walk away, leaving the offending underwear on the pavement (sidewalk).
First time it happened was when I finally understood and was thankful for
my Mother always insisting on the ritual clean knickers and handkerchief
check before going out... I had always considered it a superfluous and
silly rule... Who was she to dictate..? Blah, blah, blah...
**********************************************************************
TRUTH is too precious to tell every fool who asks for it...
****** This post was sent to you today by Janet Kaiser *******
The Chapel of Art / Capel Celfyddyd
8 Marine Crescent, Criccieth LL52 0EA, Wales, UK
Tel: ++44 (01766) 523570 URL: http://www.the-coa.org.uk
**********************************************************************

pdp1@EARTHLINK.NET on mon 16 jun 03


Hi Janet, et al...

My little 'fridge, which I have had twenty five years now,
has been in daily use for 69 years ( as f ar as I know),
running silently and
sweetly and looking good doing it, too...

...happens to be of the Sulphur-Dioxide way-of-faith.

Many were in those days...as...

'Ess-Oh-Two' was a successor to the tried-and-true Ammonia
charm-school, for the task of Refrigeration...to be
succeeded in turn by other mediums for the task...


If I ever awaken in the night to smell 'Brimstone'...I may
vacillate a little in decideing it's import...

...as I had long since passed the River Styx, the question
sometimes occur to me, that I am not entirely sure in which
way I had passed it.


Phil
lasvegas


----- Original Message -----
From: "Janet Kaiser"


> I have received a couple of posts asking why sulphur
dioxide (SO2) should
> cause so much concern, so I am answering on-list for the
sake of complete
> thoroughness in this discussion.
>
> Briefly, SO2 is an acid gas. It affects the lining of the
nose, throat,
> airways and lungs. The major health concerns associated
with exposure to
> high* concentrations of sulphur dioxide include effects on
breathing,
> respiratory illness, alterations in pulmonary defenses and
aggravation of
> existing cardiovascular disease. (*see below for more)