Chuck Wagoner on sat 4 nov 06
HEY! This thread is giving the WRONG impression, especially to those
who don't know how dangerous BARIUM CARBONATE is. In a mid range glaze
it is can be REALLY bad, in a high fire glaze it is questionable at even
lower percentages. No matter what, in its raw form it is lethal in small
amounts. (I don't like the idea of my heartbeat slowing down or
stopping, which is one of its more undesirable results.)
If you are using it on any food ware make sure you have it tested.
BARIUM CARBONATE is POISON and is very dangerous.
Don't trust me, but read about it in Monona Rossol's book "The Artists
Complete Health and Safety Guide". Page 211, "Barium is considerer a
highly toxic flux."
If you are going to use it bone up on it before you use it.
The idea that just because there are other more dangerous ceramic
chemicals should not cause anyone to be light hearted about BaCo. Just
be smart and be careful.
The Billie Creek Potter
"Pottery made to be used"
Rockville, IN
Bonnie Staffel on sun 5 nov 06
I really hate to go against all the great information about Barium
Carbonate, but when I had my studio going full time, I had two barium =
glazes
that I used on a lot of pots. I also was not a good housekeeper so I =
know
that barium dust was on the floor as well as in the air. Cough! Cough! =
And
I had a studio cat that roamed the studio at will and cleaned herself
nicely. She lived to be over 19 years old and I am almost 85!!! Monona
calls me a "George Burns" type as he broke all the rules of good health
practices as well and lived a very long life. Doctor's report that my =
lungs
are fine and if I would just lose some weight, I would get along a lot
better.=20
I follow a healthy diet and on top of that, I just applied for and got =
a
new part time job proof reading and typing at the local weekly =
newspaper.
To think that when I was in high school as editor of our newspaper, I =
would
come around to be on the staff of the local paper at my age. I beat out =
a
number of other younger applicants and I credit my proofreading
accomplishments to my love of words, and my job at the Campbell Folk =
School
which put those attributes into action. =20
I usually get in the dumps at the onset of winter and to offset that =
feeling
decided to get myself out of the house a couple days a week doing =
something
interesting and being part of our town. Then I can get to my studio =
work
with a lot more enthusiasm this winter. =20
Anyhow, I surprised the heck out of my family when I told them after I =
got
hired. What a hoot.
Bonnie Staffel
http://webpages.charter.net/bstaffel/
http://vasefinder.com/bstaffelgallery1.html
DVD Throwing with Coils and Slabs
DVD Beginning Processes
Charter Member Potters Council
| |
|
