[Clayart] Clay dust allergy

[Elizabeth Crowe]

Hi All,

I've been struggling with a chronic cough the past four months, and my
doctor suggested that I've developed a sensitivity to clay dust from my
years working in the studio.

Have any of you experienced this? I'm not sure if that's what's going on
or not, but I shudder to think of always using a mask when I'm in the
studio.

Thanks,
Elizabeth
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[Dorothy Parshall]

uh oh! So, is it better to wear a mask or to give up pottery? I am seriously sensitive to dust. Keep studio dust free but since this is difficult without a serious venting system and mopping up almost daily, then a mask is necessary. I have reached the realization that a good respirator is preferable to not potting and seriously better than coughing my guts out. I have gotten rather used to the respirator.

I do have an easy to wear fabric mask $60 plus replaceable charcoal filters. It seems to be helping when I just do not want that bulky thing. We also try to keep the studio clean. I bought a special air cleaner for $600 but decided I needed it in the house so I don't need a mask there!

I coughed 24/7 for about 3 years after too much exposure to mold plus old sawdust. Homeopathic meds and other supplements plus de-toxing baths have finally almost eliminating the coughing - unless I am exposed to dust. I highly recommend NOT exposing yourself to the dust!

Dorothy, Ontario

[Vince Pitelka]

Elizabeth wrote:
"I've been struggling with a chronic cough the past four months, and my doctor suggested that I've developed a sensitivity to clay dust from my years working in the studio."

Hi Elizabeth -
I have never heard of this except in cases where the person was very careless about creating and breathing dust and/or also a smoker. I am assuming that neither of those is the case. Do you have a good recirculating air cleaner installed in your studio? It is almost impossible to avoid having a very small fraction of microfine dust in the air, and unfortunately, the microfine silica particles are the worst in terms of their effect on your lungs. If I were in your shoes I would install the smallest Bailey recirculating air cleaner - the model 750. It costs about $1K, but when talking about your lungs, you don't want to be cutting corners.
- Vince

Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Tech University
vpit...@dtccom.net
https://sites.tntech.edu/wpitelka/

[Dick C]

Dorothy, could you please elaborate on the "easy to wear fabric mask with
the charcoal filters?
Thanks Dick

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[M Gordon]

Maybe a chest x-ray to see if your lungs are infected. I had a cough
for a month or more several years ago following a bad cold. It would
just not go away! Over the counter cough suppressant did the trick. If
your cough doesn't produce any gunk, it's just irritating your throat
every time you cough, which makes you cough more. A vicious circle.
Mike Gordon

[Dorothy Parshall]

http://www.modernalchemyair.com/products/i-can-breathe-masks/

I see it is only about $35 CAD. I have found it very helpful and the filters fairly long lasting. It helps my environmental sensitivity when I need to go into hardware stores and other toxic places. The mask is small enough that the public does not seem to take offense and comfortable enough that it is easy to wear, and fits in my pocket.

Dorothy

[Elizabeth Crowe]

Thanks all, for your suggestions. Clayart is a valuable resource of
experienced and helpful people!!!

On Saturday, October 15, 2016, Dorothy Parshall <doro...@whidbey.com>
wrote:

> http://www.modernalchemyair.com/products/i-can-breathe-masks/

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