Bead release safety!!

[Rhapsody Fire Beads]

I just want to make sure the Newbies know about bead release issues. It has been determined to cause cancer when inhaled. When I clean it up, it's always under running water, and I spray it down with water on any surface it has accumulated or spilled on, before cleaning it up. Be safe!!

~Suzy~

[dogmaw]

And never never never put it down a sink drain. It is clay, and will collect in your traps. Eventually you will need all new pipes.

[purplelilyone]

thanks for the tips. What is the differnece in bead releases, where do you all get your bead release and much is a good price it? Thanks, Joanne

[dogmaw]

I use Bucket o' Mud, but I think you will find that there are as many different tastes as there are people. :)

[MikeAurelius]

Uh, Suzy? Where did you see this? If you are referring to the label that Frantz has started putting on their bead release, then please know it does not refer to all brands of bead release, only those with high concentrations of silica powder.

Always use a P100 respirator filter when removing beads from the mandrels, cleaning mandrels, or cleaning up after cleaning beads. Always work wet, never dry.

Be sure you have very good ventilation as well.


I just want to make sure the Newbies know about bead release issues. It has been determined to cause cancer when inhaled. When I clean it up, it's always under running water, and I spray it down with water on any surface it has accumulated or spilled on, before cleaning it up. Be safe!!

~Suzy~

[lunesse]

Uh, Suzy? Where did you see this? If you are referring to the label that Frantz has started putting on their bead release, then please know it does not refer to all brands of bead release, only those with high concentrations of silica powder.

Always use a P100 respirator filter when removing beads from the mandrels, cleaning mandrels, or cleaning up after cleaning beads. Always work wet, never dry.

Be sure you have very good ventilation as well.


Can someone run down some of the more well known brands of release, and which have silica in them or not?

[Lisi]

Can someone run down some of the more well known brands of release, and which have silica in them or not?

I'd like to know this too!

[Dale M.]

Can someone run down some of the more well known brands of release, and which have silica in them or not?

Just assume all have silica in them and use a "safe practice" (wet) in handling them you will be safe.

Dale

[Rhapsody Fire Beads]

I read it in a book I have, I think by Cindy Jenkins, but I can't find the book now of coarse.
If it isn't true, or there is a safer brand out there I'd sure like to know!!! I know when I was doing pottery and running my kiln, it was a factor not to breath the dust from the glazes too. I always clean my beads under running water.

~Suzy~

[Kalera]

If you always handle it when it's wet you don't need to wear a respirator, but if you mix your own (as I do) you should always wear one when measuring/mixing the dry ingredients. But a respirator is no big deal to find or slap on for a few minutes. Once it's wet there are no worries. I bring my beads in from the kiln and soak them in water, de-mandrel them over a bowl under running water, (the bown catches the bead release so it doesn't go down the drain) and then dremel them wet. It's as easy as it is safe.

[sarakay]

And make sure the top is on the bottle of bead release before you shake it. ;)

[chrisdd]

I hope y'all don't mind if I create a little detour here... We know that dry bead release is hazardous if inhaled. Then why isn't anything being done about all the imported beads with holes full of release? :-s

[Kalera]

And make sure the top is on the bottle of bead release before you shake it. ;)

ARRRRGh yeah! I learned the hard way... ](*,)

[x_phoenician]

If bead release causes cancer when inhaled- what about when it gets on your hands while cleaning your beads? Wouldn't the same chemicals that cause the cancer be absorbed through the skin also? Yeah I know, if I'm so paranoid about that I could wear rubber gloves but the beads would probably slip out of my hand.

Tracy

[shawnette]

thanks for the tips. What is the differnece in bead releases, where do you all get your bead release and much is a good price it? Thanks, Joanne

I just started making my own. It's DIRT cheap. I think I paid maybe $3 for the ingredients at a pottery supply company (Axner):

Equal parts silica, kaolin and alumina hydrate. I added a little leftover Sludge Plus to the mix (an ounce or so because I didn't have any graphite) and it's fantastic! This was mixed (shaken) in a 16 oz Power Ade bottle. (For deep dips) Holds just right. No more problems with broken release and the holes come out clean as a whistle.