[Jewelry making - Article 00613] - Re: [Orchid] Pregnancy and ventillation in studio

[Stephen Walker]

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>     A comment on masks. If you think you have to wear one there is
>     something drastically wrong with your processes and or your
>     ventilation system. 

    I have to agree with Charles. The only times I use a mask is when I
    am cleaning the buffing room, or when I am mixing investment. But I
    will say that since this discussion began I did buy some better
    quality disposable masks. 

    Regarding the paranoia surrounding exposure to possibly harmful
    substances: I have a new apprentice who did some casting at school,
    but her class was not allowed to mix the investment because it was
    considered too hazerdous by her instructor. What is up with that? Are
    the facillaties so inadequet that it cannot be done without creating
    an unacceptable level of dust? Or is it (more likely) that the
    instructor has an exaggerated idea of the danger? In either case, why
    bother teaching the process if you are not going to let the students
    learn and practice doing it safely? I am afraid that we have a
    culture that has grown so suspicious of chemicals that some of us are
    living in fear that disproportionate to actual risks. Many people who
    are in the arts have the attitude that we are somehow exempt from
    learning about science and thinking scientifically. But health risks
    are a very scientific subject. Good ventillation and workshop
    hygiene are important, but you have to keep it real. Fire is
    dangerous. It can kill you or hurt you. I solder almost every day and
    heat my house with a wood stove. Most people can understand how to
    use fire safely. Chemical risks are a little harder to understand.
    People naturally fear what they don't know. So rather than live in
    fear, or avoid the benefits of materials that are very useful, learn
    about the subject and fact check what your hear or read. Even the
    most dangerous materials can be handled safely under the right
    conditions and some of the safest materials can be dangerous if they
    are abused. 

Stephen Walker
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