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lead and cadmium in decals

updated fri 8 aug 03

 

Kathie Wheater on tue 5 aug 03


For lack of anything better to do I thought I'ld try putting decals into the next round of
experiments. After a minor bit of research I discovered that some of them may contain
lead, cadmium, and other bits of nasty stuff.
Question:
Where do the fumes go? Obviously everywhere. My kilns are in the garage (a seperate
building) and are below a long louvered window to which I've attached a large box fan.
This method has so far proven quite effective. The only problem I have with it is it exhausts towards the area where my children spend the most time. The sandbox is probably 15-20' away.
Is there a possibility of contaminating this area? What about the peat bogs and wet land?
Is there enough toxic material eminating from a dozen 1/2'' red and yellow dingbats to sicken the indigenous populations?
I fire twice a week and move a good bit of product for a rank amateur. Do I risk or not?

Fyi mosquitoes LOVE a good firing. They're attracted to the CO2, hit that hot skin and
PHPHTTT

John Baymore on thu 7 aug 03


Kathi,


For lack of anything better to do I thought I'ld try putting decals into
the next round of
experiments. After a minor bit of research I discovered that some of them=

may contain
lead, cadmium, and other bits of nasty stuff.
Question:
Where do the fumes go? Obviously everywhere. My kilns are in the garage (=
a
seperate
building) and are below a long louvered window to which I've attached a
large box fan.
This method has so far proven quite effective. The only problem I have wi=
th
it is it exhausts towards the area where my children spend the most time.=

The sandbox is probably 15-20' away.
Is there a possibility of contaminating this area? What about the peat bo=
gs
and wet land?
Is there enough toxic material eminating from a dozen 1/2'' red and yello=
w
dingbats to sicken the indigenous populations?
I fire twice a week and move a good bit of product for a rank amateur. Do=
I
risk or not?


Congratulations on doing the FIRST bit of research
.... too many don't. Now do some REAL research before you "go there". =

And not just here on CLAYART.


Do you risk it not? To paraphrase Dirty Harry........ "Do you feel luck=
y,
potter?"

If you are living in the USA (or export work TO the USA) ....... if you u=
se
any lead or cadmium on your wares... and you sell or give them away.....
you are then covered and bound by the US FDA laws ............ which will=

then require some significant paperwork and testing and labeling.
There are even laws about exactly where you can't place such decals on =
a
functional piece. You need to know these laws first and foremost
. If you live in or sell in California.... they have laws that are even
more stringent than the FDA's.



I think you already know the answer to the "where the fumes go"
question........... you just don't want to accept it . As to your b=
ox
fan..... how do you KNOW it is effective
? Have you done actual air sampling? If not you are ASSUMING a lot. Yo=
ur
human senses do not tell you everything . Ditto for the amount of jun=
k
that will get to the kids out in the yard. This stuff can be
determined...... but it will involve some real tests.

One thing is pretty easy to deduce.......... the less you use... likely t=
he
less the risks. You will not be using a lot. Good start. Where do the=

risks become unacceptable? Once you know ALL the facts about using such
materials....... you can decide from a position of knowledge. If you sho=
ot
in the dark.... you are shooting in the dark.

Cadmium is a very toxic material to handle.
Scary stuff. Lead ain't no lightweight either. Become educated. Just=

because you can buy this (or any) stuff "over the counter" doesn't
necessarily make it totally "safe".

One possible resource address for you: Art, Theatre, and Craft Safety, =

Monona Rossol : ACTSNY@cs.com




best,

........................john


John Baymore
River Bend Pottery
22 Riverbend Way
Wilton, NH 03086-5812 USA

JBaymore@compuserve.com
http://www.JohnBaymore.com

603-654-2752 (studio)
800-900-1110 (studio)


"Earth, Water, and Fire Noborigama Woodfiring Workshop: August 15-24,
2003"

Ron Roy on thu 7 aug 03


Hi Kathie,

I would not - if you do you will need to have the area checked once in a
while to be sure - there will be some there - and in your kiln.

RR

>For lack of anything better to do I thought I'ld try putting decals into
>the next round of
>experiments. After a minor bit of research I discovered that some of them
>may contain
>lead, cadmium, and other bits of nasty stuff.
>Question:
>Where do the fumes go? Obviously everywhere. My kilns are in the garage (a
>seperate
>building) and are below a long louvered window to which I've attached a
>large box fan.
>This method has so far proven quite effective. The only problem I have
>with it is it exhausts towards the area where my children spend the most
>time. The sandbox is probably 15-20' away.
>Is there a possibility of contaminating this area? What about the peat
>bogs and wet land?
>Is there enough toxic material eminating from a dozen 1/2'' red and yellow
>dingbats to sicken the indigenous populations?
>I fire twice a week and move a good bit of product for a rank amateur. Do
>I risk or not?
>
>Fyi mosquitoes LOVE a good firing. They're attracted to the CO2, hit that
>hot skin and

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