FYI: Use a Dust Mask or Respirator when using clays

[WildIris]

Kaolin clay is on CA prop. 65 list of Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act.

Kaolin Clay MSDS

 

[CaraBou]

As with any fine powder, don't stir it up. Gently scooping it in spoonfuls won't be a hazard I don't think. I'm guessing it's listed for industrial applications.

 

[snappyllama]

^^^ I think we are okay with the minimal exposure hand-crafters get. The dose makes the poison and all that.... Of course, if anyone is particularly sensitive to respiratory irritants or otherwise concerned, dust masks certainly aren't a bad idea.

 

[WildIris]

Kaolin clay is not a poison so much as an irritant to the lungs. Kaolin clay is a silica that can lead to silicosis. These are fine particles that one might not see but a dust mask might capture. It isn't a one time exposure to silica but repeated exposure over decades that one might want to consider. One might want to use the same precautions as if in a ceramics studio when using powdered clays. Using a dust mask is as important as using lye safe gloves and goggles. Someone new to soaping might not know this, hence the FYI.

 

[penelopejane]

I take 1 tsp from a jar and gently mix it with 1 tsp of water from the recipe. It doesn't release dust in this way.

I think putting it on top of batter and SBing it in might be a bit more likely to create dust.

 

[Hettie]

Silica in soap making

Just a heads up to anyone using clay in their soapmaking. Some clays contain silica which is a known lung irritant. But what you might not know, and I just learned, is that silica exposure increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. So, be sure to wear a protective dust mask and work an area well ventilated when working with clays, or any fine powder.

 

[SaltedFig]

Hi Hettie,

Are you able to provide a bit more information on the link between the two?

A reference would be invaluable, if you have one.

Just a heads up to anyone using clay in their soapmaking. Some clays contain silica which is a known lung irritant. But what you might not know, and I just learned, is that silica exposure increases the risk of developing rheumatoid arthritis. So, be sure to wear a protective dust mask and work an area well ventilated when working with clays, or any fine powder.

 

[cmzaha]

I really do not think we have to worry much about the small amount of clay the average soapmaker uses. Here is one link to a Swedish study https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1755463/
and another link https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1739987/

 

[Hettie]

silica in kaolin clay

Hi Salted Fig,

If you Google "dangers of silica in clay and autoimmune disease" you'll find lots of references. It's true that we needn't be worried about our exposure the way people in mining or construction need to be, but it's important to use masks when working with dusts, just as it's important to wear goggles and gloves when working with lye and raw soap. Good habits keep us safe in the soap room.

 

[lenarenee]

Just another bit of info to consider; clays often contain lead. I gave it up because we have a child who takes classes with clay. It's very hard to know how much exposure to lead or silicas is a problem so I took a huge abundance of caution because both lead exposure and silicosis show up when it's too late to do something about it.

Using mica concerns me because that stuff stays airborne forever. (ever see what Nurture's Super Sparkles can do?) However, I haven't given that up. Hmm...guess my abundance of caution doesn't apply to me so much? Maybe I assume that since we often have windows open that the fresh air cleans it out. :think: