Saftey in the glaze room

[Anonymous]

Peoples opinion differ greatly when talking about safety in the glaze room. Some wear no protection at all when mixing. Some wear mask, gloves and goggles.

What do you do? What should a young person preparing to work in clay for the rest of their life do to keep safe?

Is a limited exposure to these chemicals bad for your health?

Thanks,
Greyfolk

[imported_aclift]

The most important thing to do is educate yourself. Learn about all the raw materials you are using. Here ae some good links to do that:

Raw Materials Guide
http://www.claystation.com/technical/materials.html
Ceramic Materials Library
http://ceramic-materials.com/cermat/material/a.html

I personally wear a mask whenever I make clay or glaze. I would recommend investing in a repspirator for $25 - $40. There is slica in just about all the materials we use in the studio. Its rare, but over long term exposure one can develop silicosis. The link below is about Warren Mackenzie, a well know potter who recenly developed silicosis. Make sure you listen to the audio.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/s...toryId=4620622

As far as gloves go, I wear them when a raw material that I am using can be absorbed through skin, like maganese or barium carb. And goggles, rarely do I wear them. But I do have eye wash near by just incase. I have used it probably 4 times in 12 years.

Educate and protect yourself now, theres no reason not to.
Andy