A lot of lampworkers use enamels for surface decoration on beads. From time to time there is discussion about the safety requirements for working with these materials and the general rule is that one should wear a particle filtering mask as well as proper ventilation. That having been said, I know that a fair number of people tend to ignore the warnings and use enamels on an open bench. I have posted a few pictures here that will hopefully encourage folks to pay more attention to safety.
#1 This is the big stuff that you see. The scale bar is 100 micrometers
#2 The big stuff has sharp edges. It's easy to get it stuck to your skin and transferred to other things.
#3 The stuff you don't see that rises like smoke when you move enamels. These particles are often less than 1 micrometer and can reach the alveolar spaces in your lungs. Scale bar = 2 micrometers
The major component is, of course, silica. You'll also find the coloring agents from the glass such as antimony, copper, etc., in these particles. You don't want to breath is, eat it, or otherwise become intimate with it.
Everybody play safe
Robert
Enamel and Enamel Dust
