Lead exposure at do-it-yourself ceramics studios

Background: In recent years do-it-yourself ceramics studios have become quite popular. Customers, who are often young children, decorate pre-fired ceramic pieces with a non-lead paint or underglaze. Studio personnel then cover the pieces with an overglaze, which may contain lead, and then fire them again. Health department investigations and at least one research study have found significant concentrations of lead dust in both customer and staff work areas. As a consequence, both studio employees and young children have been lead-poisoned. Methods: The Massachusetts Department of Labor contacted all identified do-it-yourself ceramics studios in the state (approximately 40) by mail. The mailing warned studio owners of the hazards of leaded glaze to both children and workers, provided guidelines for the safe clean-up of lead dust, suggested the replacement of leaded glazes, and offered a free health and safety consultation. Results: Two ceramics studios took advantage of the department's consultation service. The consultation service found elevated surface dust lead levels in both customer and staff work areas. Conclusions: Both studios that received consultations performed a lead dust clean-up and switched to non-leaded glazes. At least one additional studio eliminated lead glaze on its own.