A forgotten tool for the studio is cotton swab, brand name q-tip or cotton balls.  Both are great for glaze application and clean up and can be used either wet or dry.   I tend to use both the cotton ball and the cooton swab to clean off the glaze residue that stays on the wax resist on my pots.

let me know if you use cotton balls and cotton swabs in your studio practice and what you use them for.  Let me know if you have any studios hacks you would like to share.  (use this link, contact)

Does anyone have a recommendation for an air quality monitor for a pottery studio?  It needs to be one that monitors dust and aerosols.  If you can share any experiences you have or websites that you have used please let me know at Ken Horstman Studios

Several weeks ago I received animal from Chris Culhane , who works with with ConsumerNotice.org; a consumer advocacy website that provides reliable health and safety information.  Chris saw one of my posts and thought I had some useful information and resources, https://www.kenhorstmanstudios.com/blog/air-filtration.

He sent me additional information and I found it very useful and am returning the favor and sharing that information with you.

Silica is a mineral found in many common products and fine silica dust particles can penetrate the lungs, leading to a variety of health complications such as COPD, lung cancer, and more. Certain occupations such as construction workers, masons, and more are the most at risk for exposure due to their use of products containing silica dust.

Chris included some recently created a guide to silica dust to help educate others on the risks, where they can be found, and more. Please take a look:
 
https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/silica-dust/

I am also including our guide on silicosis, a lung disease caused by silica dust exposure for reference:

https://www.consumernotice.org/environmental/silica-dust/silicosis/

Here is additional contact information, I’m sure you will find it as useful as I have.  

Chris Culhane | Outreach Coordinator

cculhane@consumernotice.org

1 S Orange Ave. STE 200  |  Orlando, FL 32801  

Let me know if you have any questions or comments 

KenHorstmanStudios.com/Contact