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lead/kiln contamination question.

updated sat 1 feb 03

 

Anthony Wolking on thu 30 jan 03


Hello clayarters,

I have a concern in regards to residual lead contamination of an electric
kiln and studio area. The kiln was used for firing lead glazed ware and now
it will be used for anything from bisque to cone 6.
Is there any reason to be concerned about using this kiln for this purpose?
Is there a problem with the remains of lead other than in the form of wet or
dry glaze matter around my studio? I seem to have inheritted this problem
and need to take care of it before it can become a problem.

Thank you,

Anthony Wolking





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Ron Roy on fri 31 jan 03


Hi Anthony,

All ware will be contaminated from the residue - certainly during the glaze
firing - I don't know how to fix that but I think someone once said - here
on ClayArt - that there was a way - I'll believe it when the brick no
longer tests out for no lead.

I don't know what the hazard is for those using the ware - the lead will be
right on the surface so certainly don't ship any to California.

You should test the dust and surfaces in those rooms - volatilized lead
will condense on all surfaces - I am no expert on decontamination but you
should be aware and have you blood lead levels checked now and periodically
- don't be breathing any kiln fumes - and get a kiln vent for sure - be
careful where it exits - not your vegetable garden for instance.

Lead oxide is easily reduced - so it can be a probelm in the air and bricks
even at lower temperature. It cannot be used at all above cone 6 because
PbO disassociates (Pb and O) at that temperature and becomes a gas.

I can't find the temperature at which lead boils and it would be useful in
this context - can anyone supply that - please.

RR

>I have a concern in regards to residual lead contamination of an electric
>kiln and studio area. The kiln was used for firing lead glazed ware and now
>it will be used for anything from bisque to cone 6.
>Is there any reason to be concerned about using this kiln for this purpose?
>Is there a problem with the remains of lead other than in the form of wet or
>dry glaze matter around my studio? I seem to have inheritted this problem
>and need to take care of it before it can become a problem.
>
>Thank you,
>
>Anthony Wolking

Ron Roy
RR#4
15084 Little Lake Road
Brighton, Ontario
Canada
K0K 1H0
Phone: 613-475-9544
Fax: 613-475-3513

Anthony Wolking on fri 31 jan 03


Ron Roy,

Thank you for responding. Not the answer I had hoped for but certainly
better than me just plugging away at it in there with no additional thought
or concern to it.

What becomes of the lead then when fired above cone 6? Does it just
disassociate as a gas and not recombine here, or somewhere? I have good
ventilation, but want to play it safe.

Anyone have thoughts on how to clean this mess up?

Thanks again,

Anthony






>From: Ron Roy
>Reply-To: Clayart
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Re: Lead/kiln contamination question.
>Date: Fri, 31 Jan 2003 01:44:11 -0500
>
>Hi Anthony,
>
>All ware will be contaminated from the residue - certainly during the glaze
>firing - I don't know how to fix that but I think someone once said - here
>on ClayArt - that there was a way - I'll believe it when the brick no
>longer tests out for no lead.
>
>I don't know what the hazard is for those using the ware - the lead will be
>right on the surface so certainly don't ship any to California.
>
>You should test the dust and surfaces in those rooms - volatilized lead
>will condense on all surfaces - I am no expert on decontamination but you
>should be aware and have you blood lead levels checked now and periodically
>- don't be breathing any kiln fumes - and get a kiln vent for sure - be
>careful where it exits - not your vegetable garden for instance.
>
>Lead oxide is easily reduced - so it can be a probelm in the air and bricks
>even at lower temperature. It cannot be used at all above cone 6 because
>PbO disassociates (Pb and O) at that temperature and becomes a gas.
>
>I can't find the temperature at which lead boils and it would be useful in
>this context - can anyone supply that - please.
>
>RR
>
> >I have a concern in regards to residual lead contamination of an electric
> >kiln and studio area. The kiln was used for firing lead glazed ware and
>now
> >it will be used for anything from bisque to cone 6.
> >Is there any reason to be concerned about using this kiln for this
>purpose?
> >Is there a problem with the remains of lead other than in the form of wet
>or
> >dry glaze matter around my studio? I seem to have inheritted this
>problem
> >and need to take care of it before it can become a problem.
> >
> >Thank you,
> >
> >Anthony Wolking
>
>Ron Roy
>RR#4
>15084 Little Lake Road
>Brighton, Ontario
>Canada
>K0K 1H0
>Phone: 613-475-9544
>Fax: 613-475-3513
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
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>
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