Can air purifiers remove silica dust from my Ceramic Studio

[Antonio jhone]

Hey there! I've recently set up my own ceramic studio at home, and I'm absolutely loving working with clay and creating beautiful pieces. However, I've become increasingly concerned about the potential health risks associated with silica dust, which is released during the process of working with clay.

I've done some research and found that silica dust can be harmful if inhaled, leading to respiratory issues such as silicosis. I want to take proactive measures to ensure a safe working environment in my studio, and one option I'm considering is investing in an air purifier.

Now, I know air purifiers are great for removing various particles and pollutants from the air, but I'm wondering if they can effectively remove silica dust as well. I've heard conflicting information, and I want to make an informed decision.

If air purifiers are indeed capable of filtering out silica dust, I would love to know more about the specific type of air purifier that would be most effective for this purpose. Should I be looking for a particular filtration system or specific features? Are there any recommended brands or models that are known for their ability to remove silica dust?

Additionally, I'm curious about the maintenance and upkeep of an air purifier in this context. How frequently would the filters need to be replaced, considering they would be exposed to silica dust particles? Are there any additional precautions or best practices I should be aware of when using an air purifier to address silica dust in a ceramic studio?

I greatly appreciate any insights or experiences you can share to help me make an informed decision about using air purifiers to tackle silica dust in my ceramic studio. Ensuring a healthy and safe environment for myself and anyone who visits my studio is of utmost importance to me. Thank you so much in advance!"

[Bill Kielb]

There are so many articles available on this subject: OSHA, CDC, NIOSH, your public health and government sites. All can provide good guidance so you should read for your state for sure at a minimum. HEPA filtration is the only recognized filter that I know approved for effective removal especially in air filters and vacuums. Minimizing generation is super important so house keeping, wet not dry methods etc….. are most important.

Personal protective equipment such as N95 rated masks or other rated masks are also a common recommendation when sanding, glaze prep, etc…. I would start with google and your local health department. Avoiding generating dust is usually a very good first practice which consists of: don’t generate it indoors, so wet cleanup, hepa vacuum, etc… are common. 

Some things you may see with clay and most clay studios

• Vacuum your kiln after firing : use a real hepa rated vacuum.
• Air filter: hepa rated
• Mix glazes: do this outdoors with N95 mask or superior for personal protection or in an approved paint spray booth, or with approved exhaust.
• Cleanup: wet cleanup only, no brooms or brushes etc…

Read through the documents, much has been written with most requirements unified under OSHA for employers / Employees in the US and uniform exposure standards through federal and state health standards. Your local health department should have plenty of information available right on their website.

All else fails, NIOSH has publicized suggestions as well for construction practices and personal filtration and protection. You may find them useful. Your source of silica are basically clays and glazes whereas construction activities pertain to cementitious mixing, grinding etc….. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/96-112/default.html#:~:text=Use vacuums with high-efficiency,being released in the air.. Your state health department likely has written materials that may be easier to read through, the NIOSH is just one of many.

It does not matter which source ………..  how to minimize, how to protect and how to collect are the relevant issues.

Edited May 31, 2023 by Bill Kielb

[Callie Beller Diesel]

Bill already said it, but it’s worth repeating. The cheapest and easiest method to minimize risk  is to have good studio hygiene. It’s the old saw about an ounce of prevention being better than a pound of cure. If you generate minimal dust, or use wet cleanup methods frequently, you will cut airborne OHS risks drastically. Covering any glaze buckets in between dry glaze ingredient additions, mopping your floor after mixing glazes and any activity that gets clay on the floor and not sanding your work will drastically improve your air quality. For most clay purposes, cleaning and a good, well-fitting respirator for spraying/dusty activities are sufficient. An air cleaner is a nice-to-have.

As per the article Bill linked above however, an N100 filter is recommended for a respirator worn during glaze mixing, not N95. The best mask should be a well-sealed and properly fitted mask, and that will depend somewhat on the shape of your face. It’s better to try one on in person rather than just order online for that reason. It’s worth getting one with straps that distribute the weight evenly over your head for more comfort. 

If you do shop for an air purifier, filter changes etc will vary by model and the volume of air it’s filtering. The particle size of concern with respirable silica is 10 microns or less. The particularly hazardous ones are the ones under 3 microns, so make sure your filter will actually grab those ones efficiently. Many are more concerned with allergens like pollen or pet dander, so they’ll pick up some >3micron particles, but how efficiently they do so and for how long is an important distinction.