SierraEarthWorks on sun 7 dec 03
I would like to know how unsafe it is to work with toxic (lead, copper =
formulated,etc.) glazes. I understand the proper use of these glazes, =
for example, not using them on dinnerware, etc., but as far as my work =
area, should I be overly cautious when using them? What I mean is, =
should I wear a mask, or should I wash the clothes I wear when glazing =
in a seperate load of laundry? I have used my kitchen sink at times to =
wash my brushes when I am done glazing. I live in Reno, NV. and my =
studio/garage isn't insulated, so at this time of the year I move some =
of my work into an area of my kitchen. I try to clean up as best as =
possible, but if I do use the kitchen area, is it still going to be =
"contaminated"? I just don't know if I am too "laxed" about this issue. =
Thanks, Rachel
Also, what should I use (soap) to clean up properly?
Snail Scott on mon 8 dec 03
At 09:45 PM 12/7/03 -0800, you wrote:
>I would like to know how unsafe it is to work with toxic (lead, copper
formulated,etc.) glazes. I understand the proper use of these glazes, for
example, not using them on dinnerware, etc.,
Safety on differware is a matter of fired-glaze stability.
Things that are toxic if ingested as raw materials will
often be of little concern when bound up in a good glaze.
>...but as far as my work area, should I be overly cautious when using
them? What I mean is, should I wear a mask, or should I wash the clothes I
wear when glazing in a seperate load of laundry?
Absolutely wear a mask. Even the innocuous dusts (in terms of
toxicity) aren't good for your lungs.
I don't bother with separating my laundry, though if I
have some particularly filthy studio clothes, I'll change
before going into the house, and knock off the worst of
the crud before it goes into the washing machine. (Love
that washing machine - no more trips to the laundromat!)
I sometimes rinse the bad cases in my studio utility sink
before throwing them in the wash, so I don't clog anything
up. I don't use enough toxic stuff to worry about sending
it into the sewers via the wash, though. If I did, I'd
rinse in the studio sink (no sewer connection) or a bucket.
Just dust in the wash doesn't worry me; I'd only do the
sink-rinse if I managed to spill the bucket on myself, or
something like that.
-Snail
Matt Pogatshnik on wed 10 dec 03
Zoe,
There could be a lot of danger. Of course it depends on how much the the
glazes leach and this depends on many things.
But certainly there is not much dispute on the toxicity of lead.
Get a lead test kit or send a piece in for testing, then you will know and
won't have to wonder.
John Britt
Ron Roy on wed 10 dec 03
Hi Rachel,
One of the rules for working with lead glazes was (is) never eat food when
in those areas where the glaze is used - so keep it out of the kitchen.
Lead gets into people very easily and is retained and builds up in your
body - dust from your clothes is a problem, fumes from your kiln are a
problem, lead in food from your glazes is probably a problem.
Lead is controlled now - it is against the law to sell lead glazed ware
unless it has been tested for lead release - the rules are clear - make a
hole in the pot so it can't be used to hold liquids or lable (impressed
into the clay) that it is not for use with food.
I would not use lead glazes - even glazes made with lead frits - to hard to
make em safe. I advise you to get your body tested for lead levels for
starters - and stop using lead unless you are willing to learn how to make
em safe - for you and those using you pots.
RR
>I would like to know how unsafe it is to work with toxic (lead, copper
>formulated,etc.) glazes. I understand the proper use of these glazes, for
>example, not using them on dinnerware, etc., but as far as my work area,
>should I be overly cautious when using them? What I mean is, should I wear
>a mask, or should I wash the clothes I wear when glazing in a seperate
>load of laundry? I have used my kitchen sink at times to wash my brushes
>when I am done glazing. I live in Reno, NV. and my studio/garage isn't
>insulated, so at this time of the year I move some of my work into an area
>of my kitchen. I try to clean up as best as possible, but if I do use the
>kitchen area, is it still going to be "contaminated"? I just don't know if
>I am too "laxed" about this issue. Thanks, Rachel
>Also, what should I use (soap) to clean up properly?
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513
Zoe Johnson on wed 10 dec 03
But if someone has older vessels, and still insists on using them, how much
danger is there?
zoej
--On Wednesday, December 10, 2003 12:51 AM -0500 Ron Roy
wrote:
> Hi Rachel,
>
> One of the rules for working with lead glazes was (is) never eat food when
> in those areas where the glaze is used - so keep it out of the kitchen.
>
> Lead gets into people very easily and is retained and builds up in your
> body - dust from your clothes is a problem, fumes from your kiln are a
> problem, lead in food from your glazes is probably a problem.
>
> Lead is controlled now - it is against the law to sell lead glazed ware
> unless it has been tested for lead release - the rules are clear - make a
> hole in the pot so it can't be used to hold liquids or lable (impressed
> into the clay) that it is not for use with food.
>
> I would not use lead glazes - even glazes made with lead frits - to hard
> to make em safe. I advise you to get your body tested for lead levels for
> starters - and stop using lead unless you are willing to learn how to make
> em safe - for you and those using you pots.
>
> RR
>
>> I would like to know how unsafe it is to work with toxic (lead, copper
>> formulated,etc.) glazes. I understand the proper use of these glazes, for
>> example, not using them on dinnerware, etc., but as far as my work area,
>> should I be overly cautious when using them? What I mean is, should I
>> wear a mask, or should I wash the clothes I wear when glazing in a
>> seperate load of laundry? I have used my kitchen sink at times to wash
>> my brushes when I am done glazing. I live in Reno, NV. and my
>> studio/garage isn't insulated, so at this time of the year I move some
>> of my work into an area of my kitchen. I try to clean up as best as
>> possible, but if I do use the kitchen area, is it still going to be
>> "contaminated"? I just don't know if I am too "laxed" about this issue.
>> Thanks, Rachel
>> Also, what should I use (soap) to clean up properly?
>>
>> ________________________________________________________________________
>> ______ Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>>
>> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>>
>> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>> melpots@pclink.com.
>
> Ron Roy
> RR#4
> 15084 Little Lake Road
> Brighton, Ontario
> Canada
> K0K 1H0
> Phone: 613-475-9544
> Fax: 613-475-3513
>
> _________________________________________________________________________
> _____ Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
Ron Roy on sat 13 dec 03
Hi Zoej,
I guess what you are asking is - is the lead in an unstable glaze ever
completely leached out.
I guess that is possible but you would notice - the glaze would change.
I think the safe assumption would be no - until you proved otherwise by testing.
RR
>But if someone has older vessels, and still insists on using them, how much
>danger is there?
>zoej
Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513
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