Brad Sondahl on sun 1 may 05
The recent Warren MacKenzie NPR piece was thought provoking in that he
suffers from silicosis of the lung from breathing too much clay dust
(which he reported that he got from mixing clay without a mask). I know
the dangers of toxic chemicals and bad hygienic practices has been
discussed here many times. I know that David Shaner got some kind of
nerve disease which some attributed to manganese he absorbed from using
it a lot in firings. As I reflect on having been a potter 30 years, I'm
happy to say I have no work related injuries. I do think it wise to
discuss known debilitating injuries and illnesses from pottery working.
I know carpal tunnel injuries are common from repetitive motion, and
although I've had a bit of tingling in the wrists (and was found to have
only mild CTS), I attributed that to typing and mousework on the
computer more than pottery, and my wrists only get sore when I waste too
much time on the computer. I also have had occasional back spasms, but
yard work, construction, and gardening are as likely as pottery to be
the source of that...
That said, I encourage people to relate actual pottery related injuries
or illnesses, that have happened to yourself or someone you know
personally (trying to eliminate the urban myths).
Brad Sondahl
--
For my pottery how-to videos, original art, music, pottery, and literature, visit my homepage
http://sondahl.com
Jennifer Boyer on mon 2 may 05
Lungs:
Pottery Work: 5 years clay and glaze making with no mask, 25 yrs with
mildly sloppy/pretty safe studio practices.
Health: passed a base line lung function test with flying colors.
Mechanical Issues:
30 years of production pottery has given me carpa metacarpal arthritis
in my thumbs. In fact I've met more "hand workers' my age with this
malady than with Carpal Tunnel! Ouch. No more gardening for me....
Jennifer, off to the hot water bottle and the hand braces after a day
of throwing....
On 5/1/05, Brad Sondahl wrote:
I encourage people to relate actual pottery related injuries
> or illnesses, that have happened to yourself or someone you know
> personally (trying to eliminate the urban myths).
> Brad Sondahl
>=20
--=20
***********************************
Jennifer Boyer
Thistle Hill Pottery
Montpelier, VT 05602
Ron Roy on wed 4 may 05
Hi Brad,
I think this is an excellent idea - we work alone and until now - when we
find out we are sick because of what we do - there was nobody interested in
publishing that information.
I have a slight case of silicosis for instance - and I know of at least one
potter who can't go near a kiln anymore.
Most of us have some lung impairment from being around silica - it is part
of being a potter - you breath silica - can't avoid it. The question is how
much and for how long - and is it enough to do any real harm?
I see many more repetitive type injurious - backs and wrists and hands
among potters and have often wondered why there are not more articles on
those subjects in our literature. It seems it has to happen to someone who
has enough conscience to actually write about it - so we can all learn.
I wish some one would start compiling this kind of information so we can
try to access our chances and take the appropriate action to at least avoid
the most common afflictions.
RR
>The recent Warren MacKenzie NPR piece was thought provoking in that he
>suffers from silicosis of the lung from breathing too much clay dust
>(which he reported that he got from mixing clay without a mask). I know
>the dangers of toxic chemicals and bad hygienic practices has been
>discussed here many times. I know that David Shaner got some kind of
>nerve disease which some attributed to manganese he absorbed from using
>it a lot in firings. As I reflect on having been a potter 30 years, I'm
>happy to say I have no work related injuries. I do think it wise to
>discuss known debilitating injuries and illnesses from pottery working.
>I know carpal tunnel injuries are common from repetitive motion, and
>although I've had a bit of tingling in the wrists (and was found to have
>only mild CTS), I attributed that to typing and mousework on the
>computer more than pottery, and my wrists only get sore when I waste too
>much time on the computer. I also have had occasional back spasms, but
>yard work, construction, and gardening are as likely as pottery to be
>the source of that...
>That said, I encourage people to relate actual pottery related injuries
>or illnesses, that have happened to yourself or someone you know
>personally (trying to eliminate the urban myths).
>Brad Sondahl
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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