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health

updated thu 21 dec 00

 

Jan Wax on wed 17 jun 98

Have we exhausted "Art vs Craft"? I want to talk about another issue - our
health. What do Clayarters do to keep themselves healthy....so we can
work,work,work?? I've started doing something new. Sometimes I would get a
sinus headache after a day of glazing and sanding the bottoms of pots.
Usually I wear a mask, but if it's very hot I don't. Some dust is
inevitably inhaled. Now I take a small cup and fill it to the brim with
distilled or filtered water, and bending over the sink close one nostril
and inhale (snort) water through the other, and then repeat the process
with the other nostril. My head feels clearer afterwards and I avoid any
dull headache the next day. Anyone else have any health tips?
Jan
http://www.pacific.net/~waxbing

Berry Silverman on thu 18 jun 98

Jan, if you sand off that extra glaze over a tray with about an inch
of water in the bottom, most of the sanded material -- whether glaze
or dry clay, whatever -- will fall into the water. This will prevent
much of the dust from being recirculated into the air or inadvertently
spread around the studio. Periodically you can let the water in the
tray evaporate in the sun, then knock out the caked residue at the
bottom and dispose of it.

Berry Silverman
Berryware
Tucson, AZ


Jan Wax wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original
message----------------------------
> Have we exhausted "Art vs Craft"? I want to talk about another issue
- our
> health. What do Clayarters do to keep themselves healthy....so we can
> work,work,work?? I've started doing something new. Sometimes I would
get a
> sinus headache after a day of glazing and sanding the bottoms of pots.
> Usually I wear a mask, but if it's very hot I don't. Some dust is
> inevitably inhaled. Now I take a small cup and fill it to the brim
with
> distilled or filtered water, and bending over the sink close one
nostril
> and inhale (snort) water through the other, and then repeat the
process
> with the other nostril. My head feels clearer afterwards and I avoid
any
> dull headache the next day. Anyone else have any health tips?
> Jan
> http://www.pacific.net/~waxbing
>

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Don Jones on thu 18 jun 98

>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Have we exhausted "Art vs Craft"? I want to talk about another issue - our
>health. What do Clayarters do to keep themselves healthy....so we can
>work,work,work?? I've started doing something new. Sometimes I would get a
>sinus headache after a day of glazing and sanding the bottoms of pots.
>Usually I wear a mask, but if it's very hot I don't. Some dust is
>inevitably inhaled. Now I take a small cup and fill it to the brim with
>distilled or filtered water, and bending over the sink close one nostril
>and inhale (snort) water through the other, and then repeat the process
>with the other nostril. My head feels clearer afterwards and I avoid any
>dull headache the next day. Anyone else have any health tips?
>Jan
>http://www.pacific.net/~waxbing

Jan,
From experience I can tell you that you must never fail to wear a mask no
matter how hot it is. If it is so hot that you cannot work then put off
sanding until the evening or a cooler time. they also make forced air
systems that can relieve discomfort.

Don Jones
claysky@highfiber.com
:-) implied in all messages and replies
http://highfiber.com/~claysky

Sheilah Bliss on fri 19 jun 98


In a message dated 6/17/98 4:34:17 AM, you wrote:

<<----------------------------Original message----------------------------
Have we exhausted "Art vs Craft"? I want to talk about another issue - our
health. What do Clayarters do to keep themselves healthy....so we can
work,work,work?? I've started doing something new. Sometimes I would get a
sinus headache after a day of glazing and sanding the bottoms of pots.
Usually I wear a mask, but if it's very hot I don't. Some dust is
inevitably inhaled. Now I take a small cup and fill it to the brim with
distilled or filtered water, and bending over the sink close one nostril
and inhale (snort) water through the other, and then repeat the process
with the other nostril. My head feels clearer afterwards and I avoid any
dull headache the next day. Anyone else have any health tips?
Jan
http://www.pacific.net/~waxbing
>>

Hi Jan -
I've done a similar thing from time to time but use warm, salted water (read
about it in a yoga book years ago....) and you're right. It does help to
clear the cement from the nares. Also, I use a Euroclean HEPA vacuum cleaner
on the floor and dust gathering surfaces in my studio, although I must admit,
less often than I should, and occassionally, a small Duracraft HEPA filter
table-top air cleaner, usually set on low. Just want to gently clean the air,
not make the clay dust-bunnies start to hopping. Someone once mentioned to me
that a humidifier might help to keep the dust from getting too lively in
between cleanings, but haven't tried it.

My worst dust moments happen when mixing glazes... Seems no matter how careful
I am, little ultra-fine dust vapor-trails sometimes float in the air. I've
wondered if making a glaze table surface using perf board with a HEPA vacuum
cleaner attached underneath would be a feasible way to cut back on the glaze
mixing dust. I think the idea borrows from a wood-shop table that collects
sawdust. Haven't tried that one either.
Sheilah Bliss
BlissPots@aol.com

FRANK GAYDOS on fri 19 jun 98

Jan,
The water up the nose treatment sounds extreme. I think all you really
need are some good OSHA approved masks. They are made of paper and are
disposable. If all you are doing is sanding, then they should do the
trick. Also,a small,gentle fan could direct the dust away from your
face.
Under no circumstances should you sand without a mask, even if it is
hot. You risk chronic lung problems.

--
Frank Gaydos
510 Gerritt St.
Philadelphia,Pa.19147-5821 USA
fgaydos@erols.com

Joy Holdread on fri 19 jun 98

> Jan, if you sand off that extra glaze over a tray with about an inch
> of water in the bottom, most of the sanded material -- whether glaze
> or dry clay, whatever -- will fall into the water. This will prevent
> much of the dust from being recirculated into the air or inadvertently
> spread around the studio. Periodically you can let the water in the
> tray evaporate in the sun, then knock out the caked residue at the
> bottom and dispose of it.
Berry Silverman
Berryware
Tucson, AZ

Additionally I keep hand held misters around & mist down the air during and
after dusty jobs. When weather permits I take the dusty jobs outside. I hose
down or mop the studio never sweep up those tiny dust particles. In the
summer I hose out before I work, the evap from the cement slab floor adds to
the cooling, in winter after I work. 99% of the time Tucson Studios can use
the extra moisture.
I use a weight lifting belt & always plan a little yoga for my back I seldom
get to the Yoga but I know I'd feel better if I did.
I keep large zip lock bags by both doors with eye, ear protection & disposable
masks for grinding sawing etc...
I don't eat or drink in the studio when I'm using glazes. I glaze on large
sheets of vinyl, wipe & store them rolled up between glazing. (I need the
work benches my studio is way too small to keep my glazes out.} The glaze
buckets are kept wiped clean. All wipe ups go into scrap non food safe
glazes.
Joy in Tucson, Finished that proposal & still growing new skin on my fingers
after a tile install. At least my tomatoes are redder than my fingers..

Jim Horvitz on fri 19 jun 98

For those of you with sinus problems. I have been using a "Sinus Irrigator
Tip" to clean my sinus. It is an attachment for a Water Pik that pulses a mild
salt water solution thru the sinus. I have found it to be a great help and
very inexpensive. Most drug stores should carry it. It is made by Hydro Med
Inc. phone 800-560-9007 web http://www.ent-consult.com email
hydromed@westworld.com. I have no connection with the company. It really gets
the dust and mucus out. Jim Horvitz Rancho Mirage CA.

Jim Cullen on tue 23 jun 98

The NETI POT (about $15) does the same thing in a more MANUAL fashion. Simply
fill with a saline solution (made from noniodinized salt and warm water) and
tilt your head back and pour into one nostril and let it drain out the other.
Sounds messy but it really does the trick. Great for sinus sufferers.

tmartens on wed 24 jun 98

Since a lot of people seem to have these hassels I thought I would
add my two cents worth.Was told by an Ear Nose and Throat man to ad a
pinch of sugar and a pinch of soda bicarbonate to the salt water mix.
This works even better. Clears the junk and leaves your nose and
sinuses feeling soothed and somehow hydrated. I use a syringe.
Toni Martens

> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> The NETI POT (about $15) does the same thing in a more MANUAL fashion. Simply
> fill with a saline solution (made from noniodinized salt and warm water) and
> tilt your head back and pour into one nostril and let it drain out the other.
> Sounds messy but it really does the trick. Great for sinus sufferers.
>
>

mel jacobson on tue 19 dec 00


health is about good sense.
good sense in the pottery.

wear your seat belt...it is much more possible for you
to be harmed in your car. the averages prove that.

make pots, do your stuff.
do not live in fear...have good sense.
care about your craft, continue forever...it is very important.

my brother is a woodworker.
dust all the time...but his fingers are in more danger.
talk to your fingers if you are a woodworker.

john h. gave us a good list. make sure you listen.
he makes such good sense.
ron has walked that walk...and listen to him. he will soon
enter a new clean studio...but it was working with that stuff
in a much more intense way than most of you would ever do.
and we listen to ron. he knows.

went to the art center tonight....meeting.
stopped by the pottery...they are using the canoe paddles i
left there...no more arms in glaze.
no more manganese
no more barium. they have listened.

tennmoku does not need barium.
they are not angry with me, respect what i have done for that
studio.

so, listen, be alert....but do not live in fear.
it is the next step to insanity.

children cannot live their lives in helmets.
they have to play, get on the edge.
or, they will be less than human. `come in and get on your
play station...it is almost 32f.`or, `do not go outside, there
are snakes in mississippi` go to hell with that.
they can play out all day at -5 and they run from snakes. and
should. they come in to pee.
we all have been there.....and most of us survived.
and we will. i played football with passion...and would
not trade that for anything. it has helped form me. i go in the
woods with a gun...and so will my grandson and grand daughter.
they will be trained to have good sense...like my daughter and son.

just use your good sense.
you cannot wrap yourselves in saran wrap.
fear mongering will not be a part of this list.
you can piss and moan forever...it will not be.
good science please...not, hear-say, or, `i think this is a fact`.
the mayor/moderator/friend


FROM MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA, USA
http://www.pclink.com/melpots (website)

Gayle Bair on wed 20 dec 00


Mel, I agree with almost everything you
said except the saran wrap comment.
I hear you can wrap yourself in Saran (plastic)
wrap with a big bow.
I would just suggest you do not answer the
door unless you know who is on the other side!
Heh, heh,
Gayle Bair- what am I doing at this computer screen at
1:45 am???

mel wrote>

health is about good sense.
good sense in the pottery.
Snip>
just use your good sense.
you cannot wrap yourselves in saran wrap.
fear mongering will not be a part of this list.
you can piss and moan forever...it will not be.
good science please...not, hear-say, or, `i think this is a fact`.
the mayor/moderator/friend


FROM MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA, USA
http://www.pclink.com/melpots (website)

____________________________________________________________________________
__
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Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.

Don Hunt on wed 20 dec 00


I wonder how Beatrice Wood lived such a long life. Didn't she do a lot of gnarly
lead glazes and aren't the lusters she was well known for expecially bad? There
are always exceptions but they don't usually make such great bad examples

Gayle Bair wrote:

> Mel, I agree with almost everything you
> said except the saran wrap comment.
> I hear you can wrap yourself in Saran (plastic)
> wrap with a big bow.
> I would just suggest you do not answer the
> door unless you know who is on the other side!
> Heh, heh,
> Gayle Bair- what am I doing at this computer screen at
> 1:45 am???
>
> mel wrote>
>
> health is about good sense.
> good sense in the pottery.
> Snip>
> just use your good sense.
> you cannot wrap yourselves in saran wrap.
> fear mongering will not be a part of this list.
> you can piss and moan forever...it will not be.
> good science please...not, hear-say, or, `i think this is a fact`.
> the mayor/moderator/friend
>
> FROM MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA, USA
> http://www.pclink.com/melpots (website)
>
> ____________________________________________________________________________
> __
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.