Earl Krueger on mon 19 jan 04
Hmmm. Interesting.
If I remember right you said that the organizer of this
event scratched off your sign-age that the bowls were not
food safe. As a professional artist you could consider
that this puts your reputation at risk. You could demand
that they either label your bowls as you had done or
return them to you. Or, you could offer to replace them
with bowls you have made that you feel are safe.
As for the long haul, we who believe as you do, could
lobby to get the laws changed. The down side of this
however might not be the regulations we would like to
see. They may take the form of requirements to prove
that your ware is safe to the public. How many professional
studio potters can afford this and still stay in business?
Tough spot to be in.
Earl...
Bothell, WA, USA
claybair on mon 19 jan 04
Hi All,
Here is the latest on the Duncan Lead glaze issue.
Anyone wanting a copy of the report I can send it as
an pdf attachment.
The following is my email to Monona and her reply.
Contact me if you want to see the test results as sent to me
it's a pdf.
BTW, Monona was asked and gave her ok to forward her
email to me. She spent quite a bit of time on the phone
& email with me and sent info. sheets on lead free of charge.
Web site is ACTSNYC@cs.com
She is a wealth of information.... we are lucky to have her
as a resource.
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
.........................................
-----Original Message-----
From: ACTSNYC@cs.com [mailto:ACTSNYC@cs.com]
Sent: Sunday, January 18, 2004 9:38 AM
To: gayle@claybair.com
Subject: Re: FW: Lead test results Attached Report
In a message dated 1/16/04 2:55:15 PM Eastern Standard Time,
gayle@claybair.com writes:
Hi Monona,
Here are the results.
Now it's my understanding that it comes
under acceptable limits. So why do I still have a problem
with this glaze being used. The over the counter test came up
positive but this is safe per gov't standards????
Monona>
That is very strange. The over the counter tests are usually much less
sensitive than the lab test. However, there are many metals which interfere
with the home tests. For example, if the glaze has other toxic metals such
as bismuth and copper. If you got a positive test, it is my belief that
something is leaching out in significant quantities.
Gayle>
My daughter was involved in arsenic research a few years ago.
She said the gov't standards were set with equipment that
would now be antiquated. The equipment was not able to detect
under a certain amount making the current he gov't arsenic standard
unacceptable and dangerous.
Now may I make the same assumption for lead???
Monona>
Your Daughter is very smart. Although this time it is not the equipment
that is at fault, it is the government's will to restrict lead as far as it
should be. The reason clearly is that if they lowered the lead limit to
where they should, a significant part of the pottery industry and all of the
lead crystal industry would be out of business. While the Federal limit for
lead on the standard FDA leach test for hollowware is 0.5 ppm and the
California limit is 0.1 ppm, the EPA standard for water is two part: 1)
zero as a goal, and 2) 0.015 ppm as an "action level," the level at which
something must be done to reduce the amount.
The real problem is that we don't need any additional lead in our lives, and
in particular, the lives of children. The new studies show no cut off point
for adverse effects.
Gayle>
What do you advise?
Monona>
Clearly, you can't make a fuss if your pot, which is the only evidence you
have, is not leaching above the California standard.
I would make the following points in any discussion of this issue with them:
1. The lab test showed that the amount of lead leaching out is below the
reporting limit of the test which was 0.05ppm.
2. The over the counter test was positive, which is unusual, but could be
caused by other metals leaching from the glaze such as copper or bismuth.
These also shouldn't be in your food.
3. You care enough about your consumers to pay for a test. And you would
hope everyone would care this much about the people who buy their pots.
4. And if you want to make an issue, I'd make it known to bidders that you
had your bowl tested for lead leaching and will provide the laboratory
results along with the bowl that was tested (if that's the bowl that is
being sold).
Gayle>
What signage should the gallery display?
Monona>
It certainly should say that lead glazes were used and that each piece has
not been tested to be certain it leaches below the required limit.
Gayle>
Should I insist they etch a "not food safe" on the bottom of the bowls?
Monona>
You really can't at this point. The problem now is that while you have
tested yours, there are many other bowls, made in different ways by
different people fired in different kiln loads, that have not been similarly
tested. Just a the good companies all say that ware should be tested if it
is sold for use with food, this is the point you should make.
Gayle>
If I do what do I use for backup material?
Can we still go after Duncan?
Monona>
I'm submitting my information to a third party group of Prop 65 lawyers.
The labels on the Duncan glazes that I have seen recently did not provide
any advice about testing finished ware or safety in general. The label was
very brief and translated into 4 other languages. Very interesting. Have
you seen these labels?
Gayle>
What campaign can be launched to deal with the Paint Your Own shops?
Monona>
I wish I knew. Most of these places are horrors. They even bring children
there. And in this case, its the dust that contains lead I worry about.
It is not the fired pots that are the worst exposure.
Gayle>
Clayart is waiting to hear from me as I have written about this issue.
Thanks for you help,
Monona>
I hope this helps.
Monona
-------------------------------------------
So......
Anyone??????
Suggestions/comments?????
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com
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