Potential health hazards in ceramics are numerous and serious. To be 100% safe is impossible. Below is a partial list of hazards. This is not a comprehensive list, as new information comes out periodically. I have books available for loan that cover this subject in detail, as well as many years of ACTS Facts ("Arts, Crafts and Theater Safety") newsletters, for those who want more information.

~Silica: Finely powdered silica is a common ingredient in commercial clay bodies and glazes. In the wet state it's not a problem, but when dry it can become airborne. Chronic (or brief and heavy) exposure to silica can cause lung scarring, chronic disease and death. Keeping your hands and work areas free of dry clay and glaze is very important.

~Metals: Compounds of cobalt, copper, chromium, titanium, vanadium, etc., are common ingredients in glazes. These metals are toxic, and can be inhaled as dust or absorbed through the skin. A "nontoxic" label does not actually mean it has been proven to be safe. Again, keeping the dust down as far as possible is critical, and minimizing skin contact is important as well. I do not use lead or cadmium glazes.

~Floor: It's slippery when wet. Please wear non-skid shoes and avoid spills.

~Physical strain: Working with clay is more physical than most people realize. Lifting clay, wedging clay, centering it on the wheel, rolling it out on the table, etc., are tasks that can cause back, elbow, wrist and hand injuries. Repetitive strain injuries are not uncommon with potters.

~Bacteria and Mold: Wet clay can harbor both. Some clay bodies are less moldy than others.

~Dioxin: Dioxins occur naturally in some clay deposits. It can impair your immune system, endocrine system, etc.

~Talc: Talc is a common ingredient in clay and glaze, and some deposits have asbestos in them. I don't use low fire clay bodies, which can contain 50% talc. The exact ingredients of the clays and glazes I buy are proprietary, so I can't determine what the risk is. Again, keeping dust down is critical.

~Kiln: This is not an issue for my students, as my kiln is set apart from my studio. Those who set up their own studio at home should know that kilns give off poisonous and corrosive gasses. Looking into a glowing hot kiln without welders glasses will damage your eyesight. And of course fire is a danger.

Other hazards particular to my studio: ~The foothill pine tree in the cul-de-sac drops cones. Please don't park or linger under it. The cones can weigh 2 lbs. I also recommend not parking under the black oak in the fall when acorns are dropping. As long as you don't block the road, parking along the road is best.

~The land beyond the studio is off-limits. I would like you to avoid the possible trip hazards, poison oak, ground wasps, ladders in trees, skunks, etc.

If safety is third, what's first and second? Beats me! I just know that if safety is first, I wouldn't drive, bike, chop veggies, run a chainsaw, fall in love or do any other inherently risky activity. Even just making art is risky, because you are putting yourself out there to possibly be judged. That said, I work hard to keep my studio as clean and safe as I can. One way to evaluate risk is to look at what insurance companies will cover. My insurance specifically excludes injuries from silica. A few years ago, I started wondering whether or not I had any lung damage from ceramic dust exposure, especially because I've taken numerous classes elsewhere, where few people seem to care about this issue. I had a "pulmonary function test with diffusion capacity" done. They told me I'm "normal" for my age/gender. So, maybe I'm being careful enough. My advice to students: please evaluate your risk tolerance and be well informed. Keep in mind you can always use online tutorials!