The biggest health hazard when working with clay is inhaling fine, respirable crystalline silica dust, which can lead to silicosis (scarring of the lungs), lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and kidney disease. This dust, created when clay dries and is worked (sanding, cutting, mixing), causes inflammation and irreversible lung damage over time, but risks are greatly reduced with good studio hygiene like wet cleaning and proper respiratory protection.
Inhalation of all clay materials especially silica can damage your lungs. All clay bodies contain some free crystalline silica which can scar your lung tissue and cause irreversible loss of breathing capacity.
Silicosis usually develops after being exposed to silica for 10-20 years, although it can sometimes develop after 5-10 years of exposure. Occasionally, it can occur after only a few months of very heavy exposure.
There have been known cases of silicosis, or "potter's rot, from chronic inhalation of large amounts of free silica during clay mixing.
10 GOLDEN RULES OF CERAMICS {+1}
Keep all food and electronics put away. Clay must be thoroughly covered with a plastic bag to keep it from drying out. Clay can be no thicker than your thumb. In order for clay to stick together it MUST be scored and slipped while clay is in the plastic or leather hard stage.
Clay can be intimidating if you've never done it before but trust me it is so much fun, so rewarding and you'll want to do it again and again. Learn the S's of joining clay: score, slip, stick and smooth.
Contact dermatitis comprises 90%–95% of occupational skin disease cases in the United States. Some of these cases occur in ceramics workers who are in direct and prolonged contact with clays, glazes, and pastes that may cause allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) and irritant contact dermatitis (ICD).
Symptoms of silicosis usually appear after many years of exposure. In early stages, symptoms are mild and include cough, sputum and progressive shortness of breath. As the scarring continues to worsen, the first real signs of a problem may be an abnormal chest X-ray and a slowly developing cough.
Ceramic manufacturing plants have been some of the biggest culprits of using kilns containing asbestos. If you were worked with ceramic manufacturing prior to the ban of asbestos in 1979, you might have been exposed. Additionally, many ceramic fixtures contain talc, which is often contaminated with asbestos.
Working with ceramic clay inside an apartment is totally doable (obviously). There are a couple of safety considerations; mainly, control the dust from dry clay and be careful not to put clay down your drains, but other than that, have at it!
This is a progressive disease that normally takes 10–30 years after first exposure to develop. Over time, lung capacity decreases, and people with silicosis particularly those with Progressive Massive Fibrosis may need support with oxygen and other devices to help them breathe.
What does pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis mean? Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis is a term for a lung disease caused by inhaling silica dust, as in I had trouble breathing and my doctor diagnosed me with pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis.
Workers in the following occupations are at risk for developing silicosis:
If someone accidentally swallows a small amount of clay, symptoms (if any) may include a minor upset stomach and loose stool. The dyes in the clay could discolor the stool. It can also be a choking hazard for small children. The main risk is when the clay is curing.
Attaching and Joining Clay to Clay: The 4 Ss – Score, Slip, Stick, Smooth.
Clay products and asbestos
Certain clay products that used talc as an ingredient may have contained asbestos. Often mineral deposits of talc and asbestos intersected so mining talc meant that asbestos was mined along with it.
Crystalline silica in clay can cause silicosis, lung cancer, and kidney damage if inhaled over time. And here's a crucial tip: if you can smell kiln fumes, you're inhaling them. But some of the most dangerous gases, like carbon monoxide and silica dust, are odorless—so never rely on your nose to gauge safety.
Where they are found
Without proper ventilation, fumes can accumulate and potentially migrate into your living spaces, posing health risks. Therefore, regardless of the location of your home, ensuring adequate ventilation near the kiln is paramount to maintaining a safe environment for pottery firing.
There is no known cure for silicosis. Some patients may require a lung transplant. Workers exposed to silica and those who have silicosis are also at increased risk of tuberculosis (TB).
Step outside or get some fresh air, try to cough gently if you need to, and sip some water to ease your throat. See a doctor if you develop shortness of breath, chest tightness, or a persistent cough. For the future, wear a proper respirator and avoid dry sweeping, as silica dust can be harmful with repeated exposure.
Coughing Techniques – You can clear your airways of irritants by coughing in a controlled manner. Physical Activity – Exercise can help remove dust particles from the lungs and boost lung capacity. Steam Therapy – Breathing in steam can help you expel stored dust by releasing mucus in your lungs.
A recent study of pottery workers found high rates of silicosis, up to 20%, among workers with an average exposure of 0.2 mg/m3 over many years.
Symptoms caused by a mold allergy can include:
Clay is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth for a long period of time. Eating clay long-term can cause low levels of potassium and iron. It might also cause lead poisoning, muscle weakness, intestinal blockage, skin sores, or breathing problems.