General Resources

Health & Safety |

The field of ceramic art presents many hazards to health and safety. Please review these health and safety resources to help you maintain a safe and hygienic studio practice.

Safety in the Studio

• Silicosis

All clay and many rocks contain various amounts of silica. Prolonged exposure to silica dust can lead to permanent scarring of lung tissues and silicosis. Always wear an appropriately fitted NIOSH approved 100P mask when processing or working with materials in a dry state.

If possible, keep materials wet or slightly damp to reduce airborne dust. Maintain proper studio hygiene by wet mopping and frequently cleaning spills and messes before they dry to avoid circulation of silica dust.

• Eye Safety

Wear safety glasses when crushing rocks and other materials.

• Firing Fumes

All firings give off fumes that can be hazardous to your health. Organic matter and sulfur are present in most clays and begin burning off at low temperatures. Elements such as manganese and copper release toxic gases when heated that can cause permanent neurological damage. Always ensure that your kiln is properly ventilated, either by a manufacturer-designed vent directly attached to the kiln or by installing your kiln in a separate outdoor structure with proper ventilation and circulation.

Safety in the Field

• Collecting Materials

Use common sense when collecting materials. Do not collect near unstable slopes, dangerous road cuts, or in areas where extraction of materials will cause erosion.

As a general rule of thumb, do not collect materials anywhere you would feel uncomfortable planting a vegetable garden.

Always acquire permission from land-owners before collecting materials from private property.

Removal of resources from state and national parks is illegal.

Safety with Raw Materials

Many clay and mineral resources have the potential to contain trace elements of heavy metals and other elements that may be hazardous to your health and the health of those who interact with your finished work.

Materials that have origins in geothermal environments like hot-springs, those found near ore-mines, and those collected in areas of known heavy metal contamination should be avoided or used with extreme care. As a general rule of thumb, you should never collect materials from any place that you would not plant a garden for growing food. If you are concerned about the safety of a material please reach out to a local soil testing facility or geologist for more information.

Many heavy metals commonly exist in soils and water supplies as a result of naturally occurring elements from the earth and as pollution from pesticides and various industries. Because of their wide-spread presence, we interact with small amounts of these elements on a regular basis. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has established permissible limits for each element. It is highly recommended that anyone using local clays research the presence of these elements in their area.