I have a friend that had to go through medically supervised, in-hospital lead chelation treatment because her employer was using a lead based clear lowfire glaze in an insufficiently ventilated kiln, circa 2001. Negative stars, do not recommend. It was a paint your own pottery place, my friend only worked there for a handful of months, and we had just been through years of school that made it clear lead was not to be used in pottery practice if you enjoy your health. Her employer was “old school” though, and thought the “college kids” were just being “paranoid.”
It’s only paranoia if nothing’s out to get you. Given that kilns can last decades with relatively simple repairs and the owner went out of business, it’s reasonable to think that this kiln was sold and might still be out there. Circumstances don’t even have to involve deliberate deception. Lots of folks also have no idea what’s in their glazes and don’t realize that it can be hidden in colourants or frits. I don’t think you need to avoid all manual kilns, but testing them for lead is just sensible good practice, like getting a home or a car inspection.
You passing on a kiln that tested positive for lead is a cause for celebration, rather than FOMO. There will always be more used kilns that come along.
The presence of lead in an older kiln is definitely an issue, as it can be dangerous to your health if you are exposed to it for an extended period of time. Lead is a heavy metal, and it can accumulate in the body over time, leading to serious health issues. It is also toxic to the environment, so it should be handled with care. For this reason, it is important to ensure that any kiln you are considering purchasing is tested for lead before you purchase it. If the kiln tests positive for lead, it is best to avoid it and look for a different kiln. It is also a good idea to make sure that any kiln you use is properly ventilated to reduce your exposure to lead and other toxins.
The lead issue is big for me. The story of Thomas Midgley Jr. is an interesting one. Lead contaminates everything! Good story on contaminating the planet - here https://youtu.be/IV3dnLzthDA
