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ron roy re: fritted lead 3304 & my last will and testement

updated thu 23 oct 03

 

Susan Setley on mon 20 oct 03


In a message dated 10/20/03 5:17:22 PM, kobco@NETZERO.COM writes:

<< What do you think?

Barbara
>>

Specify the possible hazards of the kiln in your will.

Barbara Kobler on mon 20 oct 03


Dear Ron,
Thank you very much for your posting. As I read it (see below) my immediate thought was of course that makes sense, I never considered that aspect. I'm glad you did. Now it presents a different but more universal quandry.

On one hand, the hand of the individual, me, since I will only do about 4 firings a year in a lightly packed kiln with this glaze, and I never fire functional ware, and I don't fire other people's functional ware it seems that it is okay for me to use it. (already acknowleging that I take all necessary precautions when using it)

But on the other hand, when considering what happens to the next person who might own this kiln and fire functional pots, unaware that the kiln could be imbedded with unseen toxic lead metals, a different obligation comes into play. Although I would never sell or give away this kiln, what would happen if I have no control over its disposal...like if I die first? Since I ain't young, I would think that if I add a clause to my will to the effect that this kiln cannot be sold or donated to any one and must be torn apart and disposed of with toxic waste, that such action would fulfill my responsibility and obligation to society and the future. What do you think?

Barbara



From: Ron Roy
Subject: Re: Fritted Lead 3304 And Other "Nasties"
Dear Barbara,
Just incase - as I do not see it mentioned here - a word about lead and
your kiln.

The lead will fume while being fired - particularly when it is reduced. It reduces quite easily and becomes lead metal. There can easily be enough reduction in any oxidation kiln to make this happen - and the closer to cone 6 you go the more likely it is to happen.

The end result is the lead condences out on the insides of the kiln -
enough over time to contaminate any ware fired in that kiln - just so you know about that in case you or someone else decides to fire some functional work in that kiln.

Barbara Kobler

Ron Roy on wed 22 oct 03


Hi Barbara,

There have been a few posts on clayart from people who have gotten stuck
with lead contaminated kilns - not an easy situation to deal with if you
want to make functional work.

I think - as someone else has suggested - attaching a lable to the kiln and
detailing the contaminants would be the most responsible thing to do - or
have it disposed of at a toxic waste site.

Yes -I do think a mention in your will would be the right thing to do - why
not - just as long as everyone knows what they are dealing with.

RR

>Dear Ron,
>Thank you very much for your posting. As I read it (see below) my
>immediate thought was of course that makes sense, I never considered that
>aspect. I'm glad you did. Now it presents a different but more universal
>quandry.
>
>On one hand, the hand of the individual, me, since I will only do about 4
>firings a year in a lightly packed kiln with this glaze, and I never fire
>functional ware, and I don't fire other people's functional ware it seems
>that it is okay for me to use it. (already acknowleging that I take all
>necessary precautions when using it)
>
>But on the other hand, when considering what happens to the next person
>who might own this kiln and fire functional pots, unaware that the kiln
>could be imbedded with unseen toxic lead metals, a different obligation
>comes into play. Although I would never sell or give away this kiln, what
>would happen if I have no control over its disposal...like if I die first?
>Since I ain't young, I would think that if I add a clause to my will to
>the effect that this kiln cannot be sold or donated to any one and must be
>torn apart and disposed of with toxic waste, that such action would
>fulfill my responsibility and obligation to society and the future. What
>do you think?
>
>Barbara

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

Jan L. Peterson on wed 22 oct 03


Disposing of it would be a good idea. If it can't be cleaned, and from what
I've seen around here is that it can't, then it has to be disposed of, but how
do you get things to toxic dumps? I don't think just anyone can drive up to a
toxic dump site and say Hi, George, and just go in. Jan, the Alleycat