Written By: Devin Golden
Asbestos Exposure for Clay and Ceramic Artists
Clay and ceramic artists are at risk of asbestos exposure because both clay and asbestos are naturally forming minerals. Clay and ceramic materials are sometimes combined with talc, another mineral often contaminated with asbestos. When the two minerals are combined, the asbestos in talc can contaminate clay and ceramic materials.
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
Reviewed By
Retired LCDR Carl Jewett
VA-Accredited Claims Agent
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Important Facts About Asbestos Exposure for Clay Artists
- Asbestos can contaminate clay mixtures if asbestos-tainted talc is combined with clay, a common practice among clay manufacturers. The clay or “slip” used in the ceramic-making process contained talc and asbestos and the kiln cones typically contained vermiculite contaminated with deadly asbestos. When the dry slip is mixed with water it was very friable as was the sanding and polishing after firing of the casted art.
- Artists can be exposed to asbestos by the loose asbestos fibers released into the air through working with clay.
- There have been cases of clay and ceramic artists developing mesothelioma, and other reports of detecting asbestos in clay and ceramics at schools.
How Asbestos Can Contaminate Clay
Clay is a type of fine-grained soil or natural rock created by combining different minerals and chemical compounds. It is formed through the weathering and erosion of rocks, which means there is potential for various types of minerals to mix with the clay particles. When artists use clay, they mix the dry form of the substance with water to make it easier to work with.
According to the Princeton University Environmental Health and Safety website, clay for artwork can contain a mineral called talc. This mineral absorbs moisture and keeps skin dry, which makes it the perfect ingredient for certain hygiene products.
Talc has been used for various cosmetic and beauty products, such as baby powder and shower powder. Talc is ground into a powder for use in baby powders and other cosmetics such as blush and mascara. However, asbestos in talc is common as talc is often found near asbestos, which can contaminate talcum powder.
Inhaling or swallowing asbestos is associated with several types of cancer, including mesothelioma. This is how talcum powder products (like the now-defunct Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder) cause asbestos cancers.
The inclusion of talc in clay mixtures means anyone in direct contact with clay or within close proximity to the material is at risk of asbestos exposure. When asbestos particles are loose in the air, they can be unknowingly inhaled or ingested. Once the asbestos enters the body, the fibers can lodge into cells, causing mutation and the formation of mesothelioma tumors.
Asbestos in Clay Slip
The primary method of asbestos contamination in clay is from clay “slip”. Clay slip is a creamy, liquid mixture of clay and water. Slip joins clay pieces together, decorates pottery, or casts clay molds. Slip attaches handles or other clay parts to a ceramic body.
Asbestos can contaminate clay slip from the presence of talc. The dry slip powder contains talc, which may include asbestos. Adding water can disturb the asbestos.
How Ceramists or Clay Artists Are Exposed to Asbestos
There are two ways ceramists/clay artists are exposed to asbestos: creating the clay slip and cleaning out the Ceramists or clay artists create clay slip by pouring dry slip powder into the mixer and adding water. Mixing the powder with water is what can disturb and release sharp asbestos fibers.
Asbestos dust fills the air. However, the fibers are so small that clay artists most likely will not notice them. They inhale the fibers easily.
Another way occupational asbestos exposure happens for clay artists is from cleaning either the mixing bowl or the kiln. A kiln for pottery is a high-temperature, insulated oven that transforms mushy clay slip into hard, durable ceramic objects. Cleaning the kiln or the mixing bowl used to create slip can rattle asbestos fibers in the clay mixture. The fibers can also get stuck to artists’ skin if they do not use protective gear such as gloves.
The nature of working with asbestos could also expose clay artists’ loved ones. Bringing asbestos fibers into the home – from sticking to their clothes, hair, or skin – can lead to secondhand exposure.
Many loved ones of former workers in certain occupations later developed asbestos diseases.
Example of Asbestos in Clay: Art Students in Connecticut
In 2007, the Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) sent a letter to the state superintendent of schools about possible asbestos contamination in art clays used by students. The letter states that the potential contamination was “a result of ‘talc’ that is added to certain clays.”
The DPH letter explains talc “is added to certain clays as a ‘flux’ to lower the temperature at which the clay needs to be heated. The DPH has become aware that the talc from at least one mine in the Northeast may be contaminated with (asbestos).”
“(Clay or slip) pieces that fall off will dry and may create dust in the room,” the letter reads, noting the use of clay can lead to airborne asbestos fibers.
Chrysotile asbestos, the most common form of asbestos used in buildings and automobile parts, is banned in the U.S. as of 2024. Talc is not banned despite the links to cancer through asbestos contamination in healthcare products such as baby powder.
If asbestos-contaminated clay was used in schools as late as 2007, then dangerous clay mixtures were likely rampant decades before. Not until the end of the 20th century did the public learn the truth about the dangers of asbestos. Even after the truth was revealed, few people knew asbestos could contaminate something as harmless as clay.
Therefore, any person who made clay art — either professionally or recreationally — could’ve been exposed to asbestos without even knowing.
Asbestos Exposure Health Issues for Clay Artists
Exposure to asbestos can cause types of cancer such as mesothelioma and lung cancer. Asbestos can also cause a lung scarring disease called asbestosis.
These health issues can be deadly. Mesothelioma in particular has a poor life expectancy. This makes asbestos a dangerous mineral and one clay artists should avoid.
Clay and Ceramic Artists’ Asbestos Exposure and Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is a rare cancer, one which affects between 2,500 and 3,300 people in the United States each year. Tumors form in the lining of the lungs, abdominal cavity or heart. They then spread ferociously to nearby organs, such as the lungs, intestines, liver and heart.
The only cause of mesothelioma is asbestos exposure. However, mesothelioma has a long latency period, meaning it can take decades for patients to show any significant symptoms. For instance, an art student who was exposed to asbestos through clay in 2007 may not be diagnosed with mesothelioma until 2030 or even longer.
Mesothelioma Cases of Clay Artists
There are examples of clay artists developing mesothelioma. The same DPH letter mentioned a New Jersey court case involving a mesothelioma patient who worked with clay and ceramic art. The victim was a pottery shop owner who “purchased talc in large bags and mixed it in clays he used and sold.” The DPH referenced this case to explain why not to use talc in clay artwork at Connecticut schools – or anywhere.
Another case emerged of a woman in Massachusetts who was exposed to asbestos from clay. She was exposed from her mom’s use of pottery clay during the 20th century. She died in 2021 from mesothelioma.
Legal Options for Clay Artists Exposed to Asbestos
Clay artists or ceramists can seek compensation for mesothelioma or another asbestos disease. Lung cancer from asbestos also qualifies for compensation.
Victims or their families can file legal claims to receive this compensation, which can be in the millions of dollars. The types of claims filed are lawsuits and asbestos trust funds.
Mesothelioma Lawsuits and Trust Funds for Clay Artists
Lawsuits for mesothelioma can lead to millions of dollars in compensation. In Boston, a jury awarded a woman $83 million in a mesothelioma lawsuit verdict for asbestos exposure from her mom’s work with clay. The lawsuit was against the American Art Clay Company. The victim died in November 2021, and her husband continued the lawsuit.
Asbestos trust funds are bank accounts with money supplied by companies to compensate victims of diseases like mesothelioma. The companies often have filed for bankruptcy and must create these trust funds to ensure future claimants receive compensation.
How to Help Clay Artists With Mesothelioma
There likely are other occurrences where clay and ceramic artistry led to a mesothelioma diagnosis. If this description fits you, we can help.
The patient advocate team at Mesothelioma Guide works with patients every day to find treatment options and financial assistance. We also can help you link your clay or ceramic artistry profession to your mesothelioma diagnosis.
Even if you’re the loved one of a now-deceased patient who worked with clay or ceramics, you can contact us for help. Email either of our patient advocates — Karen Ritter, RN (karen@mesotheliomaguide.com) or Carl Jewett (cjewett@mesotheliomaguide.com) — to get more information.
Sources & Author
- Ceramics. University of Princeton Health and Safety. Retrieved from: https://ehs.princeton.edu/health-safety-the-campus-community/art-theater-safety/art-safety/ceramics. Accessed: 10/02/19.
- Potential Asbestos Hazard in Clay. State of Connecticut. Retrieved from: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/dph/environmental_health/asbestos/pdf/ArtClayLetterpdf.pdf?la=en. Accessed: 10/02/19.
AI Summary of Asbestos Exposure for Clay and Ceramic Artists
Clay and ceramic artists may face a hidden risk related to asbestos exposure due to the natural properties of their materials. Asbestos, a mineral once widely used for its heat resistance and durability, can sometimes contaminate clay products, especially when talc containing asbestos is mixed into the clay. Talc is a mineral that absorbs moisture and helps improve the workability of clay, but it is often found near asbestos deposits, increasing the chance of contamination. When artists prepare or work with clay that contains talc, especially during processes like mixing, sanding, or firing, tiny asbestos fibers can become airborne. These fibers are so small that they can be inhaled without notice, leading to potential health issues over time.
Exposure occurs primarily during two stages: when creating clay slip, a liquid mixture used to shape and decorate ceramic pieces, and during cleaning or handling of equipment like kilns and mixing bowls. Disturbing dry clay with asbestos-tainted talc can release the fibers into the air, and routines like sanding or polishing can also generate airborne dust containing asbestos. This means that artists who frequently work with clay or in environments where such materials are used are at risk of inhaling these harmful fibers, even unintentionally. Beyond the direct risk, family members can also be exposed to asbestos fibers brought home on clothing or equipment, increasing the concern for secondhand exposure among loved ones.
Instances of asbestos in clay used in schools and art programs have been documented, including a 2007 example in Connecticut where asbestos contamination was suspected in school art clay supplies. Such cases highlight the ongoing risks for artists, students, and educators who might work with contaminated materials without realizing the danger. The health consequences of asbestos exposure can be severe, including the development of mesothelioma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs, abdomen, or heart. Because mesothelioma often takes decades to develop after exposure, many individuals may not connect their health issues to their previous work with clay. Recognizing the potential risk is vital, and anyone who suspects they have been exposed should seek medical advice and support. In some cases, legal avenues may be available to seek compensation for asbestos-related illnesses, and support organizations are committed to helping affected individuals and their families navigate these complex issues.